History - Germany and the Rise of the Nazis

Kaiser Wilhelm II & the German Empire, 1890-1918 -

Who was Kaiser Wilhelm II?

Emperor of Germany from 1888-1919; had strong autocratic rule, militaristic values, + dismissed Bismarck.

Kaiser Wilhelm II & the German Empire, 1890-1918 -

What was ‘Weltpolitik’?

The Kaiser’s foreign policy aimed at making Germany a global power through empire + military strength.

Kaiser Wilhelm II & the German Empire, 1890-1918 -

What was the significance of German industrialisation by 1914?

Germany because Europe’s leading industrial power, but social tensions increased.

Kaiser Wilhelm II & the German Empire, 1890-1918 -

What domestic issues existed in Kaiser’s Germany?

Rising socialism, demands for political reform, working-class unrest, + tensions between the army + Reichstag.

Kaiser Wilhelm II & the German Empire, 1890-1918 -

What impact did WWI have on Germany by 1918?

Economic collapse, food shortages, mass casualties, loss of morale, + political unrest.

The Weimar Republic, 1918-1929 -

What was the Weimar Republic?

Germany’s democratic government established after the Kaiser abdicated in November 1918.

The Weimar Republic, 1918-1929 -

What was the Treaty of Versailles (1919)?

Peace treaty that ended WWI. Germany had to accept full blame (Article 231), pay reparations, lose territory, + limit its military.

The Weimar Republic, 1918-1929 -

What was the ‘stab in the back’ myth?

Belief that the German army was betrayed by politicians (November Criminals) who signed the armistice.

The Weimar Republic, 1918-1929 -

What were the main threats to the Weimar Republic (1919-23)?

Left-wing: Spartacist Revolt (1919).

Right-wing: Kapp Putsch (1920), Munich Putsch (1923).

The Weimar Republic, 1918-1929 -

What was the Ruhr Crisis (1923)?

France invaded the Ruhr after missed reparation payments; Germans resisted passively, worsening inflation.

The Weimar Republic, 1918-1929 -

What was hyperinflation (1923) + its effects?

Rapid inflation devalued the German mark; savings lost, but some (like those w/ debt) benefited.

The Weimar Republic, 1918-1929 -

Who was Gustav Stresemann + what were his achievements?

Chancellor + Foreign Minister who stabilised the economy (Rentenmark), improved international relations (Locarno, League of Nations), + helped end hyperinflation.

The Depression & the Rise of the Nazis, 1929-1933 -

What caused the Great Depression in Germany?

Wall Street Crash (1929) led to U.S. w/drawal of loans, mass unemployment, + poverty.

The Depression & the Rise of the Nazis, 1929-1933 -

How did the Depression weaken Weimar democracy?

Rising extremism, collapse of coalition govts, use of emergency decrees (Article 48).

The Depression & the Rise of the Nazis, 1929-1933 -

What were the key Nazi messages?

Anti-Versailles, anti-Communism, strong leadership, nationalism, + restoring Germany’s greatness.

The Depression & the Rise of the Nazis, 1929-1933 -

What methods did the Nazis use to gain support?

Propaganda, rallies, Hitler’s speeches, promises to all classes, SA intimidation.

The Depression & the Rise of the Nazis, 1929-1933 -

How many seats did the Nazis win in July 1932?

230 seats - they became the largest party in the Reichstag.

The Depression & the Rise of the Nazis, 1929-1933 -

How did Hitler become Chancellor?

Appointed in January 1933 by President Hindenburg under pressure from conservatives who thought they could control him.

Nazi Control & Dictatorship, 1933-1939 -

What was the Reichstag Fire (Feb 1933)?

Parliament building burned down; Nazis blamed Communists + used it to ban opposition.

Nazi Control & Dictatorship, 1933-1939 -

What was the Enabling Act (March 1933)?

Gave Hitler power to pass laws w/out Reichstag consent, effectively ending democracy.

Nazi Control & Dictatorship, 1933-1939 -

What was the Night of the Long Knives (June 1934)?

Hitler had Ernst Röhm + SA leaders killed to eliminate threats + gain army support.

Nazi Control & Dictatorship, 1933-1939 -

When did Hitler become Führer?

August 1934, after Hindenburg’s death - merging Chancellor + President roles.

Nazi Control & Dictatorship, 1933-1939 -

What was the Gestapo?

Secret police who spied on + arrested opponents.

Nazi Control & Dictatorship, 1933-1939 -

How did the Nazis control media + culture?

Censorship, propaganda (Goebbels), rallies, Nazi control of art, books, films, + newspapers.

Nazi Control & Dictatorship, 1933-1939 -

What were concentration camps used for before WWII?

To imprison political enemies, religious dissenters, homosexuals, + ‘undesirables’.

Life in Nazi Germany, 1933-1945 -

What were Nazi policies toward youth?

Indoctrination through Hitler Youth, League of German Maidens, + Nazi-controlled education.

Life in Nazi Germany, 1933-1945 -

What role were women expected to have?

Kinder, Küche, Kirche (Children, Kitchen, Church); encouraged to stay at home, have children, + support Nazi values.

Life in Nazi Germany, 1933-1945 -

How did the Nazis reduce unemployment?

Public works, conscription, rearmament, + removing Jews + women from the workforce.

Life in Nazi Germany, 1933-1945 -

What were Nazi policies toward the Church?

Reich Church created to align w/ Nazi ideology; some Christian opposition suppressed.

Life in Nazi Germany, 1933-1945 -

How did the Nazis treat Jews from 1933-1939?

Increased persecution: boycotts, Nuremberg Laws (1935), Kristallnacht (1938), exclusion from society.

Nazi Germany During WWII (1939-1945) -

How did war affect life in Germany?

Rationing, bombing, labour shortages, + eventual collapse of morale.

Nazi Germany During WWII (1939-1945) -

What was the Final Solution?

The Nazi plan to exterminate all Jews - implemented through mass shootings + death camps.

Nazi Germany During WWII (1939-1945) -

Who were the Edelweiss Pirates + White Rose group?

Youth resistance groups that opposed Nazi control.

Nazi Germany During WWII (1939-1945) -

What was total war in Germany (from 1943)?

Complete mobilization of the economy + population for war - restrictions increased, women drafted.