GCSE Edexcel History - Weimar and Nazi Germany

What year did the Weimar Republic get declared?

The Weimar Republic was declared on 9 November 1918.

Who was the first president of the Weimar Republic?

Friedrich Ebert became the first president of the Weimar Republic.

What was the economic state of Germany after WWI?

The economy was devastated with government debts increasing significantly, and food shortages leading to over 750,000 deaths.

What was the Treaty of Versailles?

A peace agreement that ended WWI, placing heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany.

What were the 'November Criminals'?

Leaders of the Weimar Republic blamed for signing the Treaty of Versailles.

What was one strength of the Weimar Constitution?

Proportional representation ensured small parties had a fair share of seats.

What was one major weakness of the Weimar Constitution?

Proportional representation led to unstable coalition governments.

What caused hyperinflation in Germany?

The government printed more money to pay war debts and reparations, devaluing the currency.

What was the role of Gustav Stresemann from 1923–29?

He played a crucial role in Germany's recovery and stabilising the economy.

What was the Rentenmark?

A new currency introduced in November 1923 to stabilize the German economy.

What was the Dawes Plan?

A 1924 plan that reduced Germany's reparations and provided loans to stabilize the economy.

How did the Great Depression affect Germany?

It led to massive unemployment and increased the appeal of extremist parties like the Nazis.

What was the Munich Putsch?

A failed coup attempt by Hitler in November 1923 to overthrow the Weimar government.

Who led the SA (Sturmabteilung)?

Ernst Röhm was the leader of the SA, the Nazi Party's paramilitary group.

What was Hitler's main aim after the Munich Putsch?

To reorganize the Nazi Party and rethink tactics for gaining power.

What was the significant outcome of the Reichstag Fire?

Hitler used it as an excuse to arrest communists and suppress opposition.

What did the Enabling Act allow Hitler to do?

It allowed Hitler to enact laws without Reichstag approval, effectively ending democracy in Germany.

Who opposed the Nazis among church leaders?

Martin Niemöller was a notable church leader who opposed Nazi policies.

What was the role of the SS in Nazi Germany?

The SS (Schutzstaffel) acted as Hitler's personal bodyguard and later controlled the police and concentration camps.

What was the significance of the Concordat?

It was an agreement between Hitler and the Pope that aimed to keep the Catholic Church out of politics.

What were some features of the Nazi propaganda?

It included films, posters, rallies, and speeches to promote Nazi ideologies and Hitler's image.

What was the Night of the Long Knives?

A purge in June 1934 where Hitler eliminated SA leaders and other political opponents.

What was the main tactic used by the Nazis to control opposition?

The use of intimidation and violence through organizations like the SA and the SS.

What was the goal of Nazi youth organizations?

To indoctrinate young people with Nazi ideologies and prepare them for future roles in the Nazi state.

How were women’s roles affected during the Weimar Republic?

While women gained the right to vote and some job opportunities, many were pressured to return to traditional domestic roles.

What was the impact of hyperinflation on ordinary Germans?

Many lost their savings, and the currency rapidly became worthless, leading to poverty.

What did the Young Plan aim to achieve?

It reduced Germany's reparations debt and extended the payment timeline.

What occurred as a consequence of the Wall Street Crash in 1929?

The collapse of the US economy worsened Germany's economic situation, leading to increased unemployment.

What was the German Labour Front?

The organization that replaced trade unions in Nazi Germany, controlling workers without the workers' rights.

What methods did the Nazis use to suppress opposition?

Political assassinations, controlling the legal system, and using concentration camps.

What was significant about the 1936 Berlin Olympics?

It was used as a propaganda tool to showcase Nazi Germany's strength and promote Aryan superiority.

What happened to political parties under Nazi control?

All political parties except the Nazi Party were banned by July 1933.

How did Hitler try to control the churches?

He sought to diminish their influence, using propaganda and repression to achieve this.

What was the role of the Gestapo?

The Gestapo, or secret police, suppressed dissent and opposition through surveillance and intimidation.

How did the Nazis use educational reforms?

Education was used to instill Nazi ideology and promote loyalty to Hitler among youth.

What characterized the Nazi response to opposition from youth groups?

The regime viewed youth opposition as a threat but largely responded with repression and surveillance.

What was the importance of propaganda in Nazi Germany?

Nazi propaganda aimed to control public perception, political dissent, and maintain support for the regime.

What were the main components of the Nazi ideology?

Nationalism, racial purity, militarism, and anti-communism.

What was the impact of the Night of the Long Knives on the SA?

It significantly diminished the power and influence of the SA within Nazi Germany.

How did Hitler consolidate power after Hindenburg's death?

He merged the offices of Chancellor and President into the new position of Führer, gaining total control.

What was the SS's main function in Nazi Germany?

The SS was responsible for enforcing Nazi laws and conducting executions of political opponents.

What was the significance of the anti-Semitic policies enacted by the Nazis?

These policies aimed to systematically persecute and isolate Jewish people, eventually leading to the Holocaust.

How was political dissent treated in Nazi Germany?

Political dissent was brutally suppressed, with dissenters arrested, imprisoned, or murdered.

In what ways did the Nazis control the media?

They monopolized media outlets, censored opposing voices, and used propaganda to shape public opinion.

What was one major consequence of the Nazis’ economic policies?

The initial recovery helped reduce unemployment, but the economy remained unstable and heavily reliant on military production.

What were the burdens imposed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles?

Loss of territory, military restrictions, and reparations led to widespread resentment among Germans.

What role did terror play in Nazi society?

Terror was used as a tool to instill fear and enforce loyalty among the populace.

How did the concept of Volksgemeinschaft fit into Nazi ideology?

Volksgemeinschaft emphasized a racially unified nation, promoting community and loyalty based on ethnicity.

What was the SA's relationship with the German Army?

The SA aimed to rival the traditional army, leading to tensions that culminated in the Night of the Long Knives.

What method was used to indoctrinate young people in Nazi ideology?

The Hitler Youth and other youth organizations were established to indoctrinate and train youth in Nazi principles.

In what way did women’s roles transform during Nazi rule?

Women were encouraged to focus on homemaking and childbearing, reflecting traditional gender roles.

What was Hitler's ultimate goal for Germany regarding territory?

To expand German territory to provide Lebensraum (living space) for the German people.

How did the Nazis suppress intellectual dissent?

Through censorship, arrests of intellectuals, and promoting only Nazi-approved educational materials.

What measures did the Nazis take against the Jews?

They enforced laws stripping Jews of rights, promoting discrimination, and led to their mass extermination.

How did Nazi propaganda portray Hitler?

As a heroic, infallible leader embodying the will of the German people.

Why was the policy of Gleichschaltung significant?

It aimed to unify all institutions under Nazi control, eliminating any opposition in civil and political life.

What was the NSDAP?

The National Socialist German Workers' Party, commonly referred to as the Nazi Party.

What were the implications of controlling the courts in Nazi Germany?

Judges were compelled to align with Nazi ideologies, making it difficult for dissenters to receive fair trials.

What was the public reaction to Nazi propaganda?

Responses varied; some supported the regime while others were coerced or fearful to express dissent.

What events triggered the rise of youth resistance against the Nazis?

Increased restrictions on youth freedoms and enforced membership in Hitler Youth led to backlash.

How did the Nazis justify their policies towards the churches?

By claiming that churches could undermine the authority of the state and distract from Nazi ideologies.

What event marked the beginning of the end for political opposition in Germany?

The implementation of the Enabling Act in March 1933 allowed Hitler to take dictatorial powers.

How did women participate in Nazi Germany’s economy?

Women were encouraged to work in roles that supported their families but were often restricted to low-income jobs.

In what ways did the Nazis manipulate public sentiment?

By glorifying past victories, portraying threats from communism, and promoting national pride.

What marked Hitler's transformation of the military upon becoming Führer?

The army pledged personal loyalty to Hitler rather than to the nation.

How did Hitler benefit from the global economic situation in the early 1930s?

The widespread economic despair allowed him to position the Nazi Party as a solution to the crisis.

How did the Nazis ensure their control over labor relations?

By abolishing trade unions and forming the German Labour Front to control worker rights and benefits.

What was the response to the anti-Nazi opposition by churches?

Many leaders faced arrests and imprisonment, but some continued to speak out despite the risks.

How did the economy change under Nazi rule?

It transformed towards militarization and increased state control over various industries.

What was the nature of the Nazi party's approach to education?

Schools were used to indoctrinate children, focusing on racial theories and nationalist propaganda.

What historical event did the Nazis exploit to increase their power in Germany?

The Reichstag Fire, which they blamed on communists, led to increased repression of opposition.

What culminated in the establishment of a totalitarian state in Germany?

A combination of political maneuvering, violent suppression of dissent, and propaganda.

How did cultural expression change during the Weimar Republic?

There was a flourishing of art, music, and literature that challenged traditional values and norms.

What were the key features of Nazi ideology regarding race?

A belief in Aryan superiority and the need for racial purity, leading to systemic discrimination against Jews.

What actions solidified Hitler's dictatorship?

The consolidation of power through the Enabling Act, suppression of political opposition, and manipulation of institutions.

How did Hitler utilize propaganda to gain support?

By presenting a strong image, promoting national pride, and manipulating public opinion through various media.

What organization was crucial for the enforcement of Nazi laws?

The SS (Schutzstaffel), responsible for internal security and carrying out oppressive measures.

What strategic moves did Hitler make shortly after becoming Chancellor?

He swiftly enacted laws to silence opposition and consolidate power within the government.

What was one consequence of the Enabling Act for German democracy?

It effectively abolished democracy and allowed Hitler to govern by decree.

When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?

1919

What year did the Munich Putsch occur?

1923

When did Hitler become Chancellor of Germany?

1933

In what year did the Night of the Long Knives take place?

1934

When was the Concordat signed between Hitler and the Pope?

1933

What year did the Great Depression begin affecting Germany heavily?

1929

When was the Rentenmark introduced?

1923

What were the key components of the Dawes Plan?

The Dawes Plan, implemented in 1924, reduced reparations payments and provided loans to stabilize the German economy.

What did the Young Plan aim to accomplish?

The Young Plan, established in 1929, aimed to decrease Germany's reparations debt and extend the payment timeline.

What was the significance of Gustav Stresemann in the 1920s?

Stresemann was crucial in negotiating the Dawes Plan and Young Plan, which helped stabilize Germany's economy post-WWI.

Who were the primary beneficiaries of the Dawes Plan?

The plan primarily benefited Germany by providing financial stabilization and fostering economic recovery.

How did international relations influence the Dawes Plan?

The Dawes Plan was a response to Germany's inability to meet reparations payments, necessitating international financial support.

What impact did the Young Plan have on German society?

The Young Plan aimed to ease economic burdens, contributing to recovery and reduced social unrest in Germany.

When was the Dawes Plan enacted?

The Dawes Plan was enacted in 1924.

When did the Young Plan take effect?

The Young Plan took effect in 1929.

Who was the primary negotiator of the Dawes Plan for the United States?

Charles G. Dawes was the main American negotiator of the Dawes Plan.

What were the effects of the Dawes Plan on German reparations?

It reorganized payment schedules, making them more manageable while providing loans to aid economic recovery.

What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact?

An international agreement signed in 1928 that aimed to prevent war by condemning it as a means of resolving disputes.

Which countries were key signatories of the Kellogg-Briand Pact?

The pact was signed by numerous countries, including the United States and France, among others.

What was a major flaw of the Kellogg-Briand Pact?

It lacked enforcement mechanisms, making it ineffective in preventing future conflicts.

What was the underlying philosophy of the Kellogg-Briand Pact?

It promoted the idea of peace through diplomacy and mutual respect among nations.