Weimar and Nazi Germany Flashcards
1
Q
What was Germany in following WW1?
A
Terrible. They had suffered many deaths, much of it’s infrastructure was destroyed and they were is masses of debt
2
Q
What happened to Kaiser Wilhelm?
A
He abdicated and then fled to Holand
3
Q
When did Kaiser Wilhelm abdicate?
A
9 November 1918
4
Q
When was the German Republic declared?
A
9 November 1918
5
Q
When was armistice signed?
A
11 November 1918
6
Q
What was armistice?
A
A peace agreement, between Germany and the Allies
7
Q
Give 2 features of the President
A
- Head of the Weimar republic
- Elected every 7 years
- Had important political powers e.g. choosing he chancellor
- Could suspend the constitution and pass laws by decree
8
Q
Give 2 features of the Chancellor
A
- Head of the government
- Chose all government ministers
9
Q
What was the role of the cabinet?
A
It was the main decision-making body of the government
10
Q
What was the Reichstag?
A
The Reichstag, elected for a four-year term, was the central legislative body under the Constitution of the Weimar Republic. It is the more powerful of the 2 houses
11
Q
What were the strengths of the Weimar constitution?
A
- Proportional representation meant all parties had their fair share of seats
- Women were able to vote
- Voting age reduced to 21
- No one group or person had too much power
12
Q
What was the Reichsrat?
A
The less powerful than the Reichstag, however had the power to veto Reichstag bills
13
Q
What were the weaknesses of the Weimar constitution?
A
- Proportional representation led to coalition governments, which were unstable and found it difficult to have strong policies/make strong decisions
- Lack of strong government led to weakness and indecisiveness in crisis
- It was not the choice of the people, so was unpopular
14
Q
What was the ‘November Criminals’?
A
A label given to the leaders of the German republic, due to their signing of the Treaty of Versaille, which was viewed as a criminal act of betrayal to the country
15
Q
How much did Germany have to pay in reparations?
A
£6,600,000,000 (6.6 billion)
16
Q
What did the Treaty of Versailles force Germany to do?
A
- Pay reparations
- Limit their army massively
- Take full blame for WW1
- Lose a lot of land
17
Q
What is the stab in the back theory?
A
The belief of the German people that the German army hadn’t been defeated in war, rather were forced to surrender by politicians, when they could have won
18
Q
Who were the Spartacists?
A
- Left-wing
- Led by red Rosa and Karl Liebknecht
- Based in Berlin
19
Q
What was the Spartacist Revolt?
A
The Spartacists took over the government’s newspaper and telegraph bureau, and tried to organise a general strike in Berlin. The government sent Freikorps to put down the revolt
20
Q
Who were the Freikorps?
A
- Right-wing
- Made up of ex-militants who had kept their weapons
- 250,000 men
- Organised by regular army
21
Q
What was the Kapp Putsch?
A
Freikorps marched on Berlin. Ebert asked the head of the army to resist them but he refused. A nationalist politician (Wolfgang Kapp) was put in charge, and the Weimar government fled Berlin.
The government organised trade unions to go on strike, and they did, which caused such chaos that Kapp could not rule Germany and fled. The Weimar government returned
22
Q
How many political assassinations was there from 1919-1923?
A
376
23
Q
Why did France invade the Ruhr?
A
To take reparation payment in goods and materials
24
Q
What did the government tell workers to do when the France invaded the Ruhr?
A
Go on strike
25
What was the effect of the French occupation of the Ruhr
As 80% of German coal, iron and steel reserves were in the Ruhr, the occupation was devastating for the economy
26
What did the government do to try and solve the problem of the dying economy due to the French occupation of the Ruhr?
They printed more money to pay striking workers and make up for the loss of iron, coal and steel production
27
What was the impact of the government printing more and more money?
Hyperinflation
28
How did the price of a loaf of bread change from 1919 to 1923?
It went from costing 1 mark, to costing 200,000 billion marks
29
What were the impacts of hyperinflation?
- Some people could not afford essentials
- Many businesses went bankrupt
- Lifetime savings became useless
- It made the public hate the Weimar government even more
30
What was the Rentenmark?
A new currency introduced by Stresemann, which solved the problem of hyperinflation
31
When was the Rentenmark introduced?
November 1923
32
What was the Dawes Plan?
Reparations installments were reduced temporarily to £50 million per year
US banks agreed to make large loans to German industry
33
When was the Dawes Plan?
1924
34
What was the Young Plan?
- Reduced total reparation payment from £6.6 billion to £2 billion
- The payments could be made over a longer period of time
35
When was the Young Plan?
August 1929
36
What was the Nazi reaction to the Young Plan?
Saw it as passing on the burden to future generations
37
What was the problem with Germany's economic recovery?
It was almost entirely dependent on the US loans, therefore was very fragile
38
What did Stresemann do to improve Germany politically?
- Strengthened confidence of the German people in the Weimar Republic
- Reduced the support for extremist parties
- Increased support for moderate parties
39
What was the Locarno Pact?
- Germany agreed to it's new border with France
- The Allies and Germany agreed to the permanent demilitarisation of the Rhineland
- Germany's membership in the League of Nations was up for discussion
40
When was the Locarno Pact?
1925
41
Why was the Locarno Pact a success for Germany?
- It improved relations with France
- It was not imposed upon Germany, unlike the TofV
- It increased the status and popularity of the Weimar republic
- It helped boost confidence in moderate parties
42
What was the League of Nations?
A new international body that hoped to discuss world problems to avoid resorting to war
43
When was Germany allowed to join the League of Nations?
1926
44
Why was joining the League of Nations a success for Germany?
- It showed that Germany's views were counted and respected
- It showed that Germany was once again a powerful and respected influence
- It boosted the confidence of most German people in the Weimar government
45
What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact?
An agreement between 62 nations. It committed countries to avoiding the use of war to achieve objectives
46
Why was the Kellogg-Briand Pact a success for Germany?
- It showed that Germany was once again a powerful and respected influence
- It increased the popularity of and confidence in the Weimar government, as it showed that these moderate political parties could make change and build Germany's strength internationally
47
What were still some areas of discontent during the Golden 20s?
- The hated terms of the Treaty of Versailles were still in place
- Some didn't like the new border with France
- There were still extremist parties around
48
Give 2 improvements to work during the Golden 20s
- Reduced working hours
- Improved working conditions
- Wages rose
49
Give 2 positive aspects to women at work
- Some professions, like teaching and medicine, offered new opportunities for women
- Women were encouraged to go to university
50
Give 2 negative aspects of women at work
- Drop in women working from 75% in 1918 to 36% in 1925
| - Few women secured high status jobs
51
What was women's leisure like during the Golden 20s?
- More interest towards having a good time, over marriage and family
- Women were more independent in their leisure activities
52
What was an attitude towards new women's behavior?
Some men and women felt traditional roles and values of a women are being lost
53
What was women's rights like during the Golden 20s?
- Women could vote and stand for election
- Women had equal rights to men, and could enter professions on an equal basis
- Marriage was an equal partnership
54
How was German culture changing during the Golden 20s?
A new movement called Expressionism dominated art, cinema and architecture, challenging the typical, conservative ideas with new, more radical expressionist ideas and methods. These were often on problems in German society and every day life
55
When did Hitler join the DAP?
1919
56
When was Hitler made second in command of the DAP?
1920
57
When was the name of the DAP changed to the National Socialist German Workers' Party?
1920
58
When did Hitler take control over the NSDAP/Nazi party?
1921
59
What was the 25-point programme (give 3 example points)?
A Nazi programme, written by Hitler and Drexler, including the following points
- Get rid of the TofV
- Everybody should have a job
- Build up Germany's armed forces
- Only German races may be members of the nation
- All citizens should have equal rights and duties
- Nationalise industries
- Increase pensions for the elderly
- Expand Germany across new territory
- Make laws for compulsory sports
60
What were the SA?
The SA were a paramilitary force, made up of ex-soldiers, that served Hitler and the Nazi party. They were characterised by their infamous Brown Shirts
61
What were the SA used for?
- Disrupt opposition
- Demonstrate the powerful and intimidating nature of the Nazi party
- Control crowds
- Violent actions
62
What were the short term reasons for the Munich Putsch?
Hyperinflation
French troops occupying the Ruhr
Hitler believed he had support
63
Who and how was Hitler influenced by?
He was influenced by Mussolini's right wing part in Italu, who marched on Rome, forcing the democratic government to accept him as leader
64
What were the long term reasons for the Munich Putsch?
Stab in the back theory
Reparations
Loss of German colonies
Resentment of Weimar government
65
What did Hitler do on the 8th of November 1923?
Hitler with 600 SA entered a hall in Munich where the government were meeting.
At gunpoint, Hitler forced government leaders to support him.
Rohm took over local police and army headquarters.
Ludendorff, behind Hitler's back, let the government leaders go
66
What did Hitler do on the 9th of November 1923?
Hitler gathered 1000 SA and 2000 volenteer supporters and marched on Munich town centre to declare himself President of Germany.
The group was met by state police, and then chaos followed.
The Nazis lost.
Lundendorff, Rohm and Streicher were arrested.
67
When was Hitler arrested?
Hitler was found a day after the Munich Putsch, hiding at a friend's house, and was arrested
68
What were the negative consequences of the Munich Putsch for the Nazis?
- Hitler placed in prison
- The Nazi party was banned
- The Putsch had failed miserably, and the party was almost entirely destroyed
69
What were the positive consequences of the Munich Putsch for the Nazis?
- Hitler used his trial to publicise Nazi beliefs
- He used his time in prison to write "mein Kampf", a book that outlined his beliefs, which became a bestseller when published
- The events of the Putsch made Hitler realise he needed to rethink his strategy in order to win nationaln support and take power- using violence and power wasn't enough
70
How long did Hitler serve in prison?
He served just 9 months of his 5 year sentence
71
What were Hitler's conditions like in prison?
Pretty good. He had a nice bed, window and desk.
72
What does Hitler's short time served and good prison conditions show?
That although he was on the wrong side of the law, he was actually sympathised with and supported by a lot of people
73
How did Hitler view the Munich Putsch?
A great success
74
When was the Nazi party unbanned?
1925
75
What was the Bamberg conference?
A conference organised by Hitler, addressing the splits between socialist and nationalist wings of the Nazi movement.
Hitler's power as leader was secured and his vision of Nazism taken forward
76
When was the Bamberg conference?
1926
77
When was the Wall Street Crash?
October 1929
78
What was the primary impact of the Wall Street Crash on Germany?
US stopped lending money to Germany and demanded loans to be repaid
79
What did German government do as a result of no further loans from the US?
- Refused to print more money
- Increased taxes
- Made cuts in employment benefits
- Government workers had wages cut and some lost their jobs
80
What was the effect of no further loans from the US on the German people?
- Businesses reduced or closed
- Millions of workers lost their jobs
- Had to pay increased taxes
- Benefits were slashed
- Many families suffered from terrible poverty
81
How did the depression benefit Hitler?
Economic problems - Unemployment - Dissatisfaction with middle Weimar government - Increased support of radical far right and left wing parties
82
What did Hitler persuade business people?
He could solve the economic crisis
83
What did Hitler persuade working-class people?
He could give them work
84
What did Hitler persuade middle-class people?
He could protect them from the communists solve the economic crisis and return Germany to traditional values
85
What did Hitler persuade rural communities?
He could protect them from the communists, who might seize their land
86
How did Hitler attract young people?
Providing something exciting and meaningful to be a part of
87
What did Hitler persuade women?
The Nazis were the best party to save the nation and their family
88
Who was Hindenburg?
Hero of WW1 and President of the Weimar Republic
89
Who was Bruning?
The Chancellor of the Weimar Republic
90
Who was von Schleicher?
The army general
91
Who was von Papen?
Politician and friend of Hindenburg
92
What happened in April 1932?
Hindenburg stands for re-election as President
| No party gets a majority
93
What happened in May 1932?
Hindenburg re-elected as President
Hitler increases his share of votes
Chancellor Bruning bans SA and announces his plan to buy up land to house unemployed- both of these plans were unpopular and Bruning soon resigned
Von Papen replaces Bruning as chancellor
94
What happened in July 1932?
Further elections take place- there is widespread Nazi Communist conflict
Nazi votes increase to 38%
95
What happened in November 1932?
Von Schleicher warns Hindenburg that if von Papen remains in power there will be civil war. Von Papen no longer Chancellor
96
What happened in December 1932?
Von Schleicher replaces von Papen as Chancellor
97
What happened in January 1933?
Von Schleicher does not have the support of the people
Von Papen persuades Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as Chancellor to avoid von Schleicher's possible military dictatorship
Hitler becomes Chancellor
98
When was the Reichstag fire?
1933
99
What was the Reichstag fire?
A fire set alight by a supposed communist
100
What did Hitler accuse the communists of due to the Reichstag fire?
Conspiracy against the government
101
What happened as a result of the Reichstag fire?
- 4000 communists were arrested
- Hitler issued a decree, which gave him powers to imprison political opponents and ban opposition newspapers
- The communists no longer had their 81 seats, meaning the Nazis had 2/3 of the seats
- Hitler pushed through the Enabling act
102
When was the enabling act?
1933
103
Give 3 opposition to Hitler's control that the Enabling act allowed him to rid of?
Local government
Trade unions
Other political parties
104
What happened to local governments following the Enabling act?
They were closed down in March 1933 and reorganised by Nazis, and later abolished in 1934
105
What happened to trade unions following the Enabling act?
There were replaced by the German Labour Front. Many union officials were arrested
106
What happened to other political parties following the Enabling act?
In May 1933, SDP and communist funds and offices were seized by the Nazis. In July 1933, other political parties were banned
107
Why was Rohm and the SA were a threat to Hitler?
- Rohm did not like Hitler's policies
- Many of the SA were annoyed because they felt undervalued, and angry because many were still unemployed
- The SA were loyal to Rohm, not Hitler
- The SA was much bigger than the army, and the army feared Rohm wanted to replace them
- The leaders of the SS wanted to reduce the size of the SA
108
When were the SS set up?
1925
109
What was the Night of Long Knives?
Hitler wanted to rid himself of the threat of Hitler and the SA:
- He invited Rohm and 100 SA leaders to a meeting
- When they arrived, they were instead arrested and later killed
- von Papen's staff were arrested, causing him to leave government
- Further killings occurred, including that of von Schleicher
110
When was the Night of Long Knives?
June 1934
111
When did Hindenburg die?
August 1934
112
What happened as a result of Hindenburg?
Hitler merged the offices of President and Chancellor, to create the new office of Fuhrer, dictator of Germany
113
What did Hitler force the army to do?
Swear an oath of allegiance to Hitler, not Germany as a whole
114
Who were the SS?
- Led by Himmler
- Wore menacing black uniforms
- Controlled all of Germany's police and security forces
- Often acted outside of the law
- Ran concentration camps
- Had to marry racially pure wives
115
Who were the SD?
- Led by Reynhard Heydrich
- They wore uniforms
- Spied on opponents of the Nazi party, both home and abroad
116
Who were the Gestapo?
- Led by Reynhard Heydrich
- They were indistinguishable (wore no uniform and could be anyone)
- They spied on and prosecuted people who spoke against the Nazis, even behind closed doors
- Sent people to concentration camps and used torture
117
When were the Gestapo set up?
1933
118
When were the SS set up?
1925
119
When were the SD set up?
1931
120
How did Hitler control the legal system?
- He made it so all judges had to belong to the National Socialist League
