WJEC GCSE History Revision Flashcards

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from the WJEC GCSE History course focused on Germany from 1918 to 1945.

Weimar Republic

The democratic government established in Germany after WWI, named after the town where its constitution was drafted.

Kaiser Wilhelm II

The last German Emperor who abdicated in November 1918, leading to the establishment of the Weimar Republic.

Friedrich Ebert

Leader of the Social Democrats who took charge after the abdication of the Kaiser and led the Weimar Government.

Proportional Representation

A voting system used in the Weimar Republic where parties received seats in the Reichstag according to the percentage of votes they garnered.

Spartacist Revolution

A failed communist uprising in January 1919 aimed at overthrowing the Weimar Government.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty imposed on Germany after WWI, which included harsh penalties such as reparations and territorial losses.

BRAT

An acronym summarizing the main terms of the Treaty of Versailles: Blame, Reparations, Armed Forces, Territory.

Hyperinflation

An economic situation in Germany during the early 1920s when prices skyrocketed and currency rapidly lost value.

Dawes Plan

A plan in 1924 that provided for loans from the USA to Germany to stabilize its economy after WWI reparations.

National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi Party)

A far-right political party led by Adolf Hitler that rose to power in Germany in the 1930s.

Reichstag Fire

A fire set at the German parliament building in February 1933 that the Nazis used to justify increased government powers.

Enabling Law

A law passed in March 1933 that allowed Hitler to enact laws without the Reichstag's approval, effectively establishing a dictatorship.

Night of the Long Knives

A 1934 purge executed by the Nazis to eliminate potential threats within the party, including SA leaders.

Aryan Race

The racial ideology of the Nazis that considered Aryans as superior and aimed to preserve Aryan purity.

Kristallnacht

A violent pogrom against Jews in November 1938, marked by the destruction of Jewish property and businesses.

Einsatzgruppen

Mobile killing units used by the Nazis during WWII to murder Jews and other target groups.

Final Solution

The Nazi plan for the systematic genocide of the Jewish people during WWII.

Stresemann Era

A period in the 1920s when Gustav Stresemann's policies helped stabilize the German economy after hyperinflation.

Volkssturm

The German people's militia formed in 1944 during WWII, consisting of elderly men and young boys.

Denazification

The process initiated by the Allies post-WWII to remove Nazi influence from German society and institutions.