History Paper 1 Consolidation Flashcards
1
Q
How did the Bamberg Conference help the Nazi Party broaden their appeal to the German people?
A
- Gregor Strausser was purged, meaning socialist elements of the 25-Point Program (ie. gaining the working class’ support) was replaced by Hitler’s nationalist rhetoric instead
- Hitler established the ‘Führerprinzip’, the idea that the party’s leader was in absolute control and all members must follow his directions, effectively uniting the Northern and Southern sectors of the party
- Goebbels, who would go on and become the Head of Propaganda, was persuaded to change his views so that he joined the party’s nationalist wing.
- The Nazi Party’s vision was unified and was to attract support from the middle classes and farmers, according to the Southern sector of the Party
2
Q
What six factors led to the Nazi surge in popularity during 1929-1933?
A
- The unpopularity of democratic parties – Bruning’s attempts to save the Weimar economy had destroyed the German peoples’ fragile faith in Weimar democracy.
- A flexible message – the Nazis were the only party to simultaneously appeal to the wealthy middle classes and the angry working classes. For property owners, they promised protection from Communism, for the poor and unemployed they promised work and prosperity for everyone based on government work schemes. For the socially conservative they promised a return to traditional German values. The Jews continued to be used as scapegoats but the anti-Semitic propaganda was played down.
- Goebbel’s propaganda – This featured the innovative use of technology such as radio, film, loudspeaker plus 140 newspapers. Hitler also became the first politician to travel to multiple locations by air. All of this spread his message and associated him with the future. The message was carefully tailored to specific groups e.g. for the unemployed ‘Hitler – our last hope’ whilst a more nebulous but effective theme of unity was also deployed – Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Fuhrer.
- Nazi organisation and inclusivity – The uniformed Nazis set up offices all over Germany and made themselves a very visible presence. They were able to do this thanks to the financial support they gained from the middles classes. Their broad message appealed to a wide range of Germans. They even set up a teenage wing, the Hitler Youth.
- The SA – The uniformed, apparently disciplined SA were 2 million strong by 1933. Their marches became a symbol of order in the midst of chaos. In reality many were ex-Freikorps thugs led by Ernst Rohm who played a useful role in disrupting other parties, especially the communists whom they engaged in repeated street battles.
- Hitler – His unique style of oratory attracted huge crowds whilst his background as a working class ex-veteran was also appealing. He consciously avoided putting his name to particular policies, instead presenting himself as an omnipotent saviour of Germany – hence the title ‘Fuhrer’, a 19 th century term for the leader of all Germans
3
Q
How did Hindenburg try to avoid making Hitler Chancellor?
A
- Hindenburg allowed Bruning to invoke Article 48 to force through austerity measures (ie. tried to stabilise the German finances through cutting wages and public assistance to the unemployed) in 1930
- Hindenburg managed to win the Presidential Election, after being persuaded to do so by conservatives within the Reichstag — believing he was the only candidate who could prevent Hitler from being elected
- He installed von Papen and von Scheicher as Chancellors after Bruning’s resignation,and together they tried to form coalition governments with non-Nazi parties.
- Hitler was offered Vice- Chancellor but he refused
4
Q
What were the Peoples’ Courts and Gauleiters?
A
- People’s Courts’ to gave Hitler control over the justice system and laws
- Judges are made to swear an oath of loyalty to Hitler
5
Q
What was the position of Germany at the end of WWI?
A
- German forces were militarily defeated by Allied troops and breaching of Hindenburg Line meant invasion of Germany was inevitable without immediate ceasefire
- German armed forces began disintegrating and Germany’s colonies were lost
- There was revolution on the streets of German cities and Kaiser fled to Holland after abdicating his role
- The Reichstag declared the country democratic, and the Social Democrats spearhead by Ebert became the central government of the Weimar Republic
6
Q
What were the territorial consequences of the Treaty of Versailles for Western Germany?
A
- The Rhineland — a major German industrial area demilitarized
- Small but mineral rich German speaking territories (ie. Eupen and Malady) ceded to Belgium
- Alsace and Lorraine returned to France, since the French lost this territory to German forces during the Franco-Prussian war in 1871
- Saarland coalfields were temporarily annexed by France, until her own could be brought back into production
7
Q
What were the territorial consequences of the Treaty of Versailles for Eastern Germany?
A
- Poland resurrected as part of creating a ‘Ring of Steel’ of powerful countries surrounding Germany
- Posen and West Prussia annexed, giving Poland essential access to the sea, rich farmlands and industrial areas
- East Prussia separated from rest of Germany by the ‘Polish Corridor’ but was still under German control
- Danzig (and some 100 surrounding villages) awarded to the League of Nations. Germans could run the city themselves via an established parliament, whilst Poles had access to its harbor and all defenses
8
Q
What was a plebiscite (or referenda)?
A
- A vote organized to resolve disputes in a country
- Plebiscites were organized in order for people to decide which country they wanted to belong in, as part of the Treaty of Versailles
- One such example was deciding the sovereignty of Schleswig between Germany and Denmark
- The plebiscite was done according to President Wilson’s policy of self-determination
9
Q
How did the Weimar Republic come into being in 1918?
A
- Food supplies were Germany’s key weakness, the Royal Navy’s blockade had reduced the country to semi-starvation by the end of 1918 – turnips and bread tainted with sawdust were the staples. This pushed the morale of the German population to break point
- The German people themselves ended German resistance. In November 1918 a revolt amongst German sailors spread to German cities. Anger was directed at the Kaiser, Wilhelm II and his military commanders
- With large parts of the armed forces joining the protests the hitherto side-lined German Parliament (the Reichstag) told the Kaiser that unless he abdicated immediately he was likely to be killed
- The Kaiser abdicated and fled to the Netherlands. The Reichstag proclaimed that Germany was now a democratic republic on 7th November. They were immediately challenged by the Spartacist Rising
10
Q
What was the economic impact of the Treaty on Germany?
A
- Wartime privation worsened due to the loss of resources as part of reparations
- Germany’s loss of colonies meant she had to rely on foreign imports, making her more susceptible towards ‘protectionist’ economy
- Territories with rich farmlands (ie. Posen) permanently lost, whilst German economy had to find resources for reparations
- German industry desperately in need of re-stabilizing, which reparations made it impossible
11
Q
What problems did France and Britain have with the League of Nations?
A
- Both countries were unwilling to commit to self-determination, since they were the world’s largest empires and depended on their colonies for wealth
- Both countries didn’t want to disarm
- Both countries were democratic, meaning they also needed to pay heed to public opinions
- Both countries were war weary
12
Q
What problems did Italy and Japan have with the League of Nations?
A
- Both countries were disappointed with the proceeds of WWI
- Both countries felt they deserved more territories based on their war efforts
- Both countries were envious of countries (ie. UK, France, USA) for what they gained in the Treaty of Versailles (ie. reparations)
- Both countries were controlled by a militant government after 1922, contradicting the policy of self-determination, since their governments dedicated themselves to expanding territories
13
Q
Why was Central and Eastern Europe unstable in 1919?
A
- Central and Eastern Europe were ruled by rump governments before the outbreak of WWI
- Countries (ie. Austria and Hungary) were formed from the remains of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
- People were resentful after their defeat as Central Powers
- Increasing militarism and nationalism after dissolution of rump governments (ie. Kaiser in Germany)
14
Q
Why was East Africa unstable in 1919?
A
- Italy owned several colonies since seizing them in the 19th century
- These colonies could possibly serve as a jumping-off point for an Abyssinian invasion (which happened in reality in 1935)
- Due to Italy’s humiliating defeat against Abyssinia, causing latter to escape colonisation in 1919
- Britain and France had larger and more powerful colonies than Italy in East Africa
- Both countries couldn’t risk breaking the ‘Ring of Steel’ around Germany in continental Europe
15
Q
Why was Graeco-Turkish War a partial success for the League of Nations?
A
- The League failed completely in terms of preventing conflict
- Great Powers (ie. Britain and France) prioritising their vested interests after intervening
- Great Powers ignored the conflict completely, setting a worrying precedent for future disputes
- Inaction of League’s members contradicted with the principle of ‘Greater good over vested interests’
- League successful in humanitarian efforts
- Makeshift refugee camps set up
- Medical teams dispatched to treat rampant diseases (ie. Cholera)
- Population exchange between Greece and Turkey
- Set a positive precedent for today’s United Nations’ High Commission for Refugees and the World Health Council’s humanitarian efforts
