Weimar Germany Flashcards
What happened to the Nazi party in the 5 years after the Munich Putsch? [4]
They changed their tactics as they needed to get voted in legally by votes. They set up the SS and extended the SA. Membership of the party rose. Despite this, very few people voted for the Nazis (less than 3%)
In what ways did Hitler and the Nazis change tactics following the Munich Putsch? [4]
They decided to try and win votes legally by gaining votes in elections. They became a national party. Goebbels was put in charge of propaganda to spread the Nazi message. The Nazis targeted farmers for votes.
Describe Hitler’s role in the party before 1923 [4]
Hitler joined the party in 1919. He was put in charge of propaganda and in 1920 published the ‘25 point programme’. He became leader of the party in 1921 as he was an outstanding speaker. He set up the SA to protect Nazi meetings.
Describe the development of the Nazi party between 1924 and 1932 [4]
Hitter decided that votes had to be won legally. He began to target farming communities. The SA was enlarged and the SS set up. Goebbels was put in charge of propaganda. Youth groups were created.
Describe the Spartacist uprising [4]
The Spartacists were a Communist group who wanted a Russian style revolution. They attempted their revolution in 1919. Their leaders Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg were killed. The Freikorps were used to put the revolt down violently.
What problems existed in Germany in the period 1919 -20? [4]
Germany had to sign the Treaty of Versailles which punished them. The Spartacists attempted their Communist uprising and hundreds were killed. The Kapp Putsch took place. This was an attempted revolution by right-wing Freikorps.
What were the main features of the Weimar Constitution? [4]
Everyone over 20 can vote. Proportional representation - you get the same percentage of seats as you got in the election. The chancellor leads the country day to day. The president could rule with emergency powers. He elected the chancellor.
Describe the Kapp Putsch [4]
It took place in March 1920. Kapp was the leader of the right wing Freikorps who wanted the return of the kaiser style rule. He led 5, 000 ex-soldiers into Berlin but the workers went on strike. Kapp fled; the putsch had failed.
Describe the problems Germany faced in 1919 [4]
Germany was forced to surrender and accept the Treaty of Versailles and accept a new style of government. They had to take blame for the war and pay reparations. The Spartacists attempted to overthrow the government.
Describe the main events of the Munich Putsch [4]
In Nov 1923 Hitler launched the Putsch in a beer hall in Munich in Bavaria. Hitler wanted the leader of Bavaria to join him. The police were notified and stopped the putsch. Hitler was arrested and put on trial. He was found guilty of treason and sent to prison where he served 9 months.
Explain why revolts against the Weimar Republic failed between 1919 and 1921 [6]
The Spartacists failed because the government used the Freikorps against them. Hundreds were killed. They also failed because they lacked support from the people. The Kapp Putsch failed because they too were not supported by ordinary people and workers in Berlin went on strike, forcing Kapp to flee.
Explain why 1923 was a year of crisis [6]
In January the French army invaded the Ruhr after Germany stopped paying reparations. Many were killed by the French. Germany suffered hyperinflation. The price of goods rose quickly and people lost their savings. Hitler attempted a revolution in 1923 by launching the beer hall putsch. It failed and he was arrested.
Explain how Hitler was able to turn the failure of the putsch to his advantage [6]
He gained lots of publicity across Germany. Many had sympathy for his views and agreed with his speeches. In prison he wrote Mein Kampf. He changed his ideas and realised he needed to gain power legally.
Explain why Hitler attempted the putsch [6]
Germany was facing economic ruin due to hyperinflation. This made people angry and desperate. It was a good time to strike. Hitler believed if he attempted the putsch he would be supported by the people and carried to power in Berlin.
Explain why there was an economic crisis in Germany in 1923 [6]
The Germans did not pay the reparations in 1922 and so the French invaded the Ruhr to claim their debts in goods. German workers were ordered to go on strike meaning no goods were made. This affected the economy. The government printed more money but this led to hyperinflation. Money became worthless and people lost savings.
