Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-39

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the Weimar and Nazi Germany period from 1918 to 1939.

Weimar Republic

The democratic government established in Germany after the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1918.

Treaty of Versailles

The peace treaty that ended World War I and imposed heavy reparations and territorial losses on Germany.

Hyperinflation

An extreme increase in prices, which rendered the German currency nearly worthless in the early 1920s.

Stresemann

Gustav Stresemann was the Chancellor of Germany who played a key role in stabilizing the economy and improving foreign relations from 1923 to 1929.

Spartacist Revolt

A left-wing uprising in January 1919 aimed at establishing a communist government in Germany.

Kapp Putsch

A failed coup attempt in March 1920 by right-wing factions aimed at overthrowing the Weimar government.

Enabling Act

Legislation passed in 1933 that allowed Hitler to enact laws without the Reichstag's consent, effectively giving him dictatorial powers.

Führer

A title meaning 'leader' used by Adolf Hitler to denote his role as the dictator of Nazi Germany.

Propaganda

Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause.

SS (Schutzstaffel)

A paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party that became a key instrument of terror during the Nazi regime.

Gestapo

The secret state police of Nazi Germany, known for its brutal methods and surveillance of political opponents.

Censorship

The suppression of speech, public communication, or other information that may be considered objectionable or harmful by the authorities.

Locarno Pact

A 1925 agreement between Germany, France, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Italy, which sought to secure post-World War I borders and improve relations.

November Criminals

Term used by many Germans to describe the politicians who accepted the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I.

Freikorps

Paramilitary units formed by World War I veterans in Germany that were used to suppress leftist uprisings.

Stabs in the back theory

A belief popular among some Germans that their military had not been defeated in WWI, but betrayed by politicians.

Aryan racial superiority

A key ideology of the Nazi Party asserting that the 'Aryan race' was superior to others, especially Jews.

Nazi Youth Organizations

Programs established by the Nazi regime to indoctrinate young people with Nazi ideology and prepare them for military service.