IGCSE Depth study Germany 1918-1945

What events led to the German Kaiser’s abdication in 1918?

Naval mutinies at Kiel, soldiers’ and workers’ rebellions, and widespread unrest forced the Kaiser to flee to Holland.

Who became leader after the Kaiser abdicated in 1918?

Friedrich Ebert, head of the Social Democratic Party (SPD).

What were Ebert’s first tasks as Chancellor?

Restore law and order, establish democratic elections, and create a stable government.

What was the Spartacist League?

A revolutionary communist group inspired by Bolshevism, led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg.

What were the Spartacists' main objectives?

Overthrow Ebert’s democratic government and establish a communist system run by workers’ councils (soviets).

What methods did the Spartacists use?

Forming a Revolutionary Committee, seizing newspaper offices, organising a general strike, and street fighting with barricades.

How did the government respond to the Spartacist Uprising?

They used the army and Freikorps, who crushed the uprising and killed Liebknecht and Luxemburg.

Why did the Spartacist Uprising fail?

Poor organisation, disagreement on tactics, death of leaders, and the superior strength/brutality of the Freikorps.

What was the significance of the Spartacist Uprising?

It showed government weakness, reliance on the Freikorps, and triggered further communist rebellions through 1919–23.

What voting system did the Weimar Republic use?

Proportional representation.

What was one advantage of proportional representation?

It was considered fair; seat numbers matched vote percentages.

What were disadvantages of proportional representation?

Small extremist parties could get seats, hard for any party to get 50% majority, and led to unstable coalition governments. 

What was Article 48?

A rule allowing the President to suspend the constitution and rule by decree in an emergency.

How was the President chosen?

Elected by all Germans over age 20 every seven years.

What were some forward-looking features of the Weimar Constitution?

Equal voting rights for men and women, Civil rights (free speech, worship, assembly), and one of the most democratic constitutions of its time

Which party won the January 1919 election?

The Social Democrats (SPD) with 37.9% of the vote.

Why did the new assembly elected in the January 1919 elections meet in Weimar, not Berlin?

Berlin was too unstable due to unrest and street fighting.

Why did many Germans resent the Treaty of Versailles?

It limited the army to 100,000 troops and was seen as humiliating.

What happened to soldiers discharged because of the Treaty?

Many joined the Freikorps.

Why did the Allies worry about the Freikorps?

They seemed to be a way for Germany to secretly exceed the 100,000 soldier limit.

Who made up the Freikorps?

Ex-soldiers with anti-communist views, fond of violence.

Why did Ebert rely on the Freikorps?

To crush communist uprisings such as the Spartacist revolt.

How large was the Freikorps in January 1919?

Approximately 4,000 men.

Who led the Kapp Putsch of 1920?

Dr. Wolfgang Kapp.

What was the objective of the Kapp Putsch?

To overthrow the Weimar government and replace it with a nationalist one.

How did the Freikorps participate?

Units marched on Berlin in support of Kapp.

How did the government respond?

They fled Berlin (the army refused to help) and called for a general strike.

Why did the Kapp Putsch fail?

Workers’ general strike paralysed Berlin. Transport, power, and water shut down.

What did the Kapp Putsch show about the republic?

The government survived, but could not rely on the army and Workers defended the republic better than the military.

Why did the French and Belgians occupy the Ruhr in 1923?

Germany failed to pay reparations, and the French believed Germany was avoiding its obligations.

How did the German government respond to the occupation of the Ruhr in 1923?

Ordered passive resistance, workers refused to co-operate with French forces.

What were the consequences of passive resistance?

French expelled 100,000 Germans, Government had to support unemployed strikers, Severe financial strain on Germany

Why did Germany print money in 1923?

To pay workers during passive resistance and cover the government's financial shortfall.

What happened as a result of Germany printing money in 1923?

The currency collapsed; people bartered goods instead of using money.

What is hyperinflation?

A very rapid rise in prices, wages, and money supply, causing the currency to lose value.

Who benefited from hyperinflation?

Landowners and industrialists (physical property kept its values) and Debtors (their debts became worthless). 

Who suffered during hyperinflation?

Pensioners and people on fixed incomes, Savers with cash in banks, Creditors (who were owed money), and People paid monthly.

How extreme did hyperinflation get by November 1923?

87 trillion marks were needed to buy one ounce of gold. 

Why was Germany near collapse in mid-1923?

Ruhr occupation, passive resistance costs, hyperinflation, and political chaos.

What were Stresemann’s three key policies to save Germany?

Ended passive resistance in the Ruhr, Introduced a new currency, the Rentenmark, and Restarted reparations payments. 

Why were streseman’s three key policies unpopular?

Ending passive resistance looked like giving in to France; stabilising the currency wiped out savings.

What did Stresemann’s rescue plan achieve?

It restored confidence and laid foundations for recovery between 1924 and 1929.

What was the Dawes Plan (1924)?

A US-backed agreement linking reparations to Germany’s economic performance and providing an $800 million loan.

What effects did the Dawes Plan have?

Stabilised economy, attracted foreign investment, Restored industrial output, and reduced inflation.

What happened to the German currency?

The Reichsmark eventually replaced the Rentenmark, which was stable and accepted internationally. 

By when had industry reached pre-war levels?

By 1928. 

What weaknesses remained in the Weimar economy even before 1929?

High unemployment, farming never recovered, and recovery depended on american loans.

What triggered the new crisis in 1929?

The wall Street crash, which caused the us to recall loans, leading to germany’s economy collapsing.

What happened to unemployment by 1932?

Unemployment rose to 6 million which was 1/3 of the workforce. 

How did economic depression affect politics?

Support for extremist parties (Nazis + Communists) surged.

What happened to support for moderate parties? (1929-1932)

It shrank as coaltions could not be formed. 

Why didn’t the Weimar government print money to end the Depression?

After 1923, printing money was seen as dangerous and irresponsible.

Why couldn't coalition governments act effectively?

Parties disagreed on solutions and there was no unified policy. 

What was Stresemann’s main political achievement?

Restoring Germany’s international status.

What international agreements improved Germany’s standing?

The Locarno Treaties (1925): Secured borders with France & Belgium, joining League of Nations (1926): Germany admitted as equal member, and Young Plan (1929): Cut reparations from £6.6bn to £2bn.

Why was Germany trusted again?

The currency stabilised, reparations resumed, and diplomacy improved relations.

Why was there a cultural explosion in 1920s Germany? under the Weimar republic

The democratic republic lifted censorship, encouraging expression in art, film, literature, and architecture.

What artistic movement dominated the era of the Weimar republic (1919-1933)?

Expressionism, challenging tradition and exploring social criticism.

How did conservatives view Weimar culture?

As immoral, decadent, and corrupt; many artists later fled Germany under the Nazis.

What was the Young Plan?

A 1929 agreement that reduced Germany’s reparations and reorganised the payment structure to make it more manageable.

How much did the Young Plan reduce Germany’s reparations by?

From £6.6 billion to £2 billion — a reduction of nearly 75%.

Over how many years would reparations be paid under the Young Plan?

Over 59 years (until 1988).

Why was the Young Plan important for Germany’s economy?

Reduced financial pressure on the government, Allowed lower taxes, encouraged foreign investment, and helped stabilize the economy before the great depression. 

Why did some Germans oppose the Young Plan?

Nationalists (like the Nazis) argued Germany should pay no reparations at all, they claimed any payment was accepting the “shame” of the Treaty of Versailles

What were the Locarno Treaties?

A series of agreements signed in 1925 between Germany, France, Belgium, Britain, and Italy to guarantee peace in Western Europe.

What did Germany agree to in the Locarno Treaties?

To accept its western borders with France and Belgium as permanent, Not to challenge the loss of Alsace-Lorraine again, and To keep the Rhineland permanently demilitarised. 

What did France and Belgium agree to in the Locarno treaties of 1925? 

They promised not to invade Germany again unless Germany broke the treaty.

Why were the Locarno Treaties important for Germany’s international status?

Improved Germany’s relations with Western powers, Ended Germany’s diplomatic isolation after WWI, and Helped Germany gain entry into the League of Nations in 1926 as an equal member

When was the German Workers’ Party (DAP) founded?

January 1919 by Anton Drexler.

When did Hitler join the German Workers’ Party (DAP), and why was he significant?

September 1919; he quickly took responsibility for propaganda, public speaking, and organisation.

What major change did Hitler introduce in February 1920?

He helped create and publish the 25-Point Programme and renamed the party to NSDAP (Nazi Party).

When did Hitler become party leader?

July 1921.

What were two key aims from the 25-Point Programme?

Union of all Germans in a Greater Germany and abolish the treaty of Versailles. 

How did Nazi ideology reflect nationalism and antisemitism?

It demanded citizenship only for Germans of “German blood,” excluding Jews, and prioritised expanding Germany’s borders.

What economic goals did the 25-Point Programme include?

Nationalisation of industries, profit-sharing in large industries, welfare improvements, and support for farmers.

What was Hitler’s main objective in the Munich Putsch of 1923?

To overthrow the Weimar government violently and establish a Nazi government.

Why did Hitler believe the Munich Putsch would succeed?

Weimar was very unpopular during hyperinflation, General Ludendorff supported him who he thought would be able to use his influence to persuade the army to support his putsch, and he He assumed Bavarian authorities would join him.

What event triggered the start of the Munich Putsch?

On 8 November 1923, Hitler and 600 SA stormed a meeting in a beer hall and forced Kahr to pledge support.

Why did the Munich Putsch fail?

The army stayed loyal to the Weimar government, Bavarian leaders did not support Hitler, and Nazis were small at the time (around 3,000 members).

What were the consequences of the Munich Putsch?

Hitler was arrested and imprisoned, but gained national publicity from his trial.

What did Hitler decide after the Putsch?

To pursue power legally through elections and building a base in the reischtag. 

How did the Nazis change strategy after 1923?

They used legal, electoral methods to gain support and heavily relied on propaganda.

How did the Nazi Party expand organisationally in the 1920s?

Membership increased from 3,000 to over 100,000; the SA grew; speaking training and professional propaganda improved.

How well did the Nazis perform in elections before 1930?

Poorly support was only 2.6% in 1928. 

Why was Nazi support low before 1930?

Germany was recovering under Stresemann, Moderate parties regained trust, and Economic stability reduced extremism

How did Stresemann’s policies affect Nazi support?

His economic reforms and stability improved Germany’s situation, making extreme parties less attractive.

What happened to Nazi votes between 1924 and 1928?

They dropped from 6.5% (1924) to only 2.6% (1928).

How did public perception of Hitler affect Nazi popularity?

Hitler was seen as a fringe extremist; by 1928, many Germans thought Nazism was dying out.

What event transformed the Nazis’ fortunes?

The Great Depression (1929).

How did the Depression help the Nazis gain votes?

Mass unemployment pushed voters to extremist parties, People blamed Weimar politicians for economic failure, and Nazis promised jobs and strong leadership

How did Nazi propaganda increase their appeal during the Depression?

Goebbels ran huge rally campaigns, Posters, radios, films, torchlight parades spread their message, Hitler flew to multiple cities in one day (modern “air campaign”).

What role did fear of Communism play?

Many middle-class Germans feared the Communist Party, Nazis appeared as defenders of property and traditional values, Wealthy industrialists increased donations to the Nazis

What were the Nazi election results in 1930?

They rose to 107 seats (18.3%), becoming the second-largest party.

What were the Nazi election results in July 1932?

230 seats, their largest ever result.

What were the Nazi election results in Nov 1932?

196 seats — a slight fall but still the largest party.

Why did Nazi vote share fluctuate in 1932?

Economic turmoil, shifting coalitions, and voter frustration caused rapid changes.

Why did Hitler not become Chancellor after the July 1932 election?

Although the Nazis were the largest party, President Hindenburg distrusted Hitler and refused to appoint him.

What did von Papen try to do after July 1932?

Form a coalition government without Nazi support—he failed.

What happened in the November 1932 election?

Nazi vote fell from 37% to 33% but they remained the largest party.

How did von Schleicher become Chancellor?

Hindenburg appointed him after von Papen failed to build a coalition.