Key individuals

Question 1

Who is Kaiser Wilhelm II?

Answer 1

The GErman emperor in complete control of the country before he abdicated. He was replaced by a democratic system.

Question 2

Who is Friedrich Ebert?

Answer 2

Leader of the SPD and first chancellor of the Weimar Republic from November 1918. Ebert’s representative signed the armistice agreement.

Question 3

Gustav Stresemann

Answer 3

Appointed by Ebert as the new Chancellor and Foreign Secretary of Germany in 1923. He resigned from the chancellorship in November 1923 but stayed on as foreign secretary until 1929.

Question 4

Adolf Hitler

Answer 4

A Corporal in WOrld War I who became the leader of the Nazis and eventually Chancellor of the Weimar Republic.

Question 5

Rohm

Answer 5

An ex-army officer who was in charge of the SA.

Question 6

Hindenburg

Answer 6

President of the Weimar Republic until he died (2 August 1934). He never fully supported the idea of a Republic and actually preferred the style of government under the Kaiser. He regularly used Article 48 to rule which undermined democracy.

Question 7

Joseph Goebbels

Answer 7

Minister of People’s Enlightenment and Propaganda from 1933. He used all aspects of media and culture to help control people and secure their support for the Nazis.

Question 8

Pastor Niemoller

Answer 8

A Protestant pastor who did not support the Nazis and even spoke against them. He set up the Pastor’s Emergency League (PEL) to protest. He was sent to a concentration camp in 1937.