first 5 essays of table germany

What was the unemployment rate in Germany by 1932?

Over 6 million unemployed — around 30% of the workforce.

By how much did German industrial production fall between 1929 and 1932?

By 40%; heavy industry fell by over 50%.

How many major banks collapsed in 1931?

Five major banks collapsed.

What happened to Germany’s money supply in 1931?

It shrank by 30%, causing massive deflation.

How did agriculture suffer during the Great Depression?

Farmers' incomes dropped by 25% between 1929–1932 due to low commodity prices.

By how much did German exports fall from 1929 to 1932?

By 61%.

What percentage of the German population was below the poverty line by 1932?

40% — about 21 million people.

What were “Hoovervilles” in Germany?

Shantytowns where over 100,000 homeless lived in cities like Berlin.

How much did suicide rates rise from 1929 to 1932?

By 15%.

What percentage of children were malnourished by 1932?

Over 20%.

How many strikes occurred in 1932 due to hardship?

Nearly 200,000.

What happened to the Nazi vote share between 1928 and July 1932?

It rose from 2.6% to 37.3%, making them the largest Reichstag party.

How many different chancellors did Germany have between 1930 and 1932?

Seven.

How many emergency decrees did Hindenburg issue in 1932?

Over 100 under Article 48.

How many political murders occurred from 1930 to 1932?

Over 500, many involving SA and communists.

What happened to the SPD vote share between 1928 and 1932?

It fell from 29.8% to 21.6%.

What was the War Guilt Clause in the Treaty of Versailles?

Article 231 — forced Germany to accept full responsibility for WWI.

Why did many Germans call the Treaty a “Diktat”?

They felt it was a dictated peace they had no choice in signing.

How much were reparations set at in the Treaty of Versailles?

£6.6 billion.

What was the Munich Putsch?

A failed Nazi attempt to seize power in 1923.

Who was Walter Rathenau and what happened to him?

Foreign Minister — assassinated by the Organisation Consul in 1922.

Why was right-wing opposition a threat to Weimar?

Many elites and ex-soldiers rejected democracy; courts were lenient.

What was the Spartacist Uprising?

A failed communist revolt in 1919.

What was the Red Ruhr Army?

A 1920 communist group of 50,000 workers who briefly controlled the Ruhr.

Why did left-wing opposition destabilise the Weimar Republic?

It created fear of communism and alienated workers.

Why was the Treaty of Versailles the most important cause of opposition?

It created national resentment and made extremism more appealing.

What was the Rentenmark and why was it introduced?

A new currency in 1923 to end hyperinflation — 1 Rentenmark = 1 trillion Papiermarks.

What replaced the Rentenmark in 1924?

The Reichsmark — a permanent stable currency.

What did Gustav Stresemann do as Chancellor in 1923?

Ended passive resistance in the Ruhr, introduced the Rentenmark.

What was “fulfilment policy” (Erfüllungspolitik)?

Stresemann’s strategy of cooperating with Versailles terms to gain sympathy.

What was the Locarno Pact?

A 1925 agreement securing Germany’s western borders and improving relations.

When did Germany join the League of Nations?

1926.

What was the Dawes Plan (1924)?

Secured 800 million gold marks in loans from the USA and reduced reparation pressure.

What was the Young Plan (1929)?

Reduced total reparations from £6.6 billion to £2 billion.

How many new homes were built with foreign loans?

Three million.

What happened to unemployment and exports by 1928?

Unemployment fell to 1.3 million; exports rose 12% above 1913 levels.

Why was Stresemann the most important reason for recovery?

He stabilised the economy, improved diplomacy, and secured crucial foreign aid.

When did Hitler re-found the Nazi Party?

27 February 1925.

What was the Gauleiter system?

Germany was divided into 35 Nazi districts run by local leaders like Goebbels and Strasser.

Why was party reorganisation important?

It created a national, centralised structure that boosted Nazi coordination.

How large was the SA by 1928?

Over 100,000 members.

What was the purpose of the SA?

Intimidated political opponents, disrupted left-wing meetings, and protected Nazi events.

What was the SS and when was it formed?

Hitler’s elite personal guard — formed in 1925 with around 250 men.

What was the Red Front Fighters’ League?

A communist paramilitary group the SA frequently clashed with.

How did Goebbels modernise Nazi propaganda?

Used posters, film, emotional slogans, and targeted messaging.

How was propaganda tailored to different groups?

Farmers were promised price protection; middle class promised order; unemployed promised jobs.

What was the Völkischer Beobachter?

The Nazi newspaper — funded by businessmen and key in spreading ideology.

Why was propaganda important between 1924–28?

It made Nazis seem modern, strong, and patriotic — gaining national attention.

Why was reorganisation more important than propaganda or violence?

Without structure, propaganda and violence wouldn’t have worked nationally.

💰 What happened to Jewish-owned businesses by 1938?

Over 50% had been taken over by non-Jews or Aryans; Jews lost property and financial assets.

💰 What was the impact of the Civil Service Law (1933) on Jews?

It excluded Jews from government jobs, universities, and professional fields like medicine and law.

💰 What was the economic boycott of 1933?

On 1 April 1933, Nazis organized a boycott of Jewish shops, leading to a sharp decline in Jewish business income.

⚖️ What were the Nuremberg Laws (1935)?

They stripped Jews of German citizenship and banned marriage between Jews and non-Jews.

⚖️ How were Jews excluded from public life?

Jews were banned from voting, holding public office, serving in the military, and working in sectors like law and journalism.

⚖️ What did the Reich Citizenship Law do?

It restricted Jews’ freedom of movement and forced them into segregated areas, starting the process of ghettoization.

👥 How were Jews socially discriminated against?

They were banned from public parks, theatres, swimming pools, and public schools by 1938.

👥 What was Kristallnacht (1938)?

A pogrom in which 1,000 synagogues were destroyed, 7,500 Jewish businesses were vandalized, and 30,000 Jews were arrested.

👥 What was life like in Jewish ghettos?

Jews were forced into overcrowded ghettos like Warsaw, which held 400,000 people in space meant for 80,000.