Germany leading to WWII Flashcards

A set of flashcards reviewing the state of Germany after WWI

What were some short-term causes of German defeat in World War I?

US entry into WW1 in 1917, the failure of the 1918 final offensive, and the collapse of German allies.

What was the Dolchstosse?

The ‘stabbed in back’ theory that the German army was betrayed by pacifists, socialists, and Jews back in the cities.

What political parties made up the coalition in the newly elected National Assembly?

The Social Democratic Party (SPD), Catholic Centre Party, and Democrats.

What freedoms did the new Weimar constitution guarantee?

Freedom of speech, freedom to meet openly and express opinions, freedom of the press, and freedom from arrest without reasonable cause or suspicion.

What was the Kapp Putsch?

An attempt by 5000 Freikorp led by Wolfgang Kapp to take over Berlin and reinstate the Kaiser.

What was the result of the Reichstag election?

76% voted for pro-democratic parties

What were the two houses of the German parliament?

The Reistang and the Reichsrat

What power did the president have over the Reichstag?

The president could despise parliament, choose the chancellor, appoint the supreme commander of armed forces and rule by decree in a time of emergency.

What was 'Revolution from Above'?

Aimed to preserve monarchy by giving parliament more power

What was the Stinnes-Legien Agreement?

Employers accepted unions were legal, agreed to an 8-hour day, and unions promised to end unofficial strikes, oppose workers councils, and maintain production.

Who were the leaders of the German Communist Party (KPD) during the Spaeracist uprising?

Leaders in Luxembourg opposed Ebert’s moderate approach and wanted government by workers councils.

What was Article 48?

Allowed the president to rule by decree if the political system failed to function, becoming a method to overthrow democracy.

What was the problem with proportional representation?

Enabled small political parties to gain representation in the Reichstag, encouraging political instability and frequent elections, meaning no party ever had a majority of seats.

What did British historian Richard Bessel believe?

That the seriousness of Germany’s economic problems meant there was little prospect for long term economic reform and as a consequence, rather than winning political support, the republic continued to alienate important groups in German society.

What was the Munich Putsch?

Hitler and General Ludendorff attempted to seize power in Munich but the Nazis were met with Bavarian police fire, leading to Hitler's arrest.

What was Mein Kampf?

A mixture of autobiography & ideology expressing Hitler's main political ideas

What change of strategy did Hitler utilize when out of prison in 1924?

Still relied on violent street tactics to silence opposition but presented Nazi movement as a constitutional party to voters, wanting to win power democratically

What was Hitler's stance on the Great Depression?

Hitler and party would have made little progress if not for Germany’s economic crisis

What promises did the Nazis play on to be a “national party?

Would keep out communism, uphold law & order, restore national strength and return to traditional middle-class values.

What was the Enabling Act of March 23, 1933?

Aimed to give power to govt to ignore Reichstag for 4 yrs and Hitler granted dictatorial powers legally

What was Gleichschaltung?

Referred to bringing aspects of Germany under Nazi control and Desire to transform nation so national socialism pervaded all areas

How did the Nazis win working class support?

Nazis needed to control unions, labour movement and all independent trade unions were abolished and declared illegal, then replaced with Nazi German Labour front (DAF)

How did the Nazis move to bring legal/justice under Nazi control?

All professional bodies abolished, replaced with National Socialist League, appointments & publications controlled by govt, judges & lawyers expected to consider “will of Fuhrer” in judgements and Judges could be dismissed for not “acting in interest of National Socialist State”

Why was it difficult do oppose the Nazis effectively?

Most opponents arrested by Gestapo & sent to concentration camps or executed and Opposition mostly from underground groups or individuals, not united movements

What was Operation Valkyrie?

Would kill Hitler, after which dissident army officers would create provisional govt and bomb exploded, but only caused minor injuries to Hitler

What were the Edelweiss Pirates?

Working class youth group that based initially in Rhineland, painted anti-Nazi slogans on buildings, avoided serving in Nazi groups by going camping and helped ppl fleeing police or army

According to Nazi beliefs, who were the master race?

The blonde haired, blue eyed Nordic Germans (or Aryans)

What was the Euthanasia programme?

Hitler started a euthanasia programme to kill ppl the Nazis thought as worthless, unproductive lives at the expense of the State

What did historians decide at the Wannsee Conference?

Decided to ‘cleanse’ Europe of its 11 mil Jews and transport them east to be worked to death

What did the Concordat signed between papacy and regime in 1933 state?

Nazis guaranteed Catholic Church religious freedom, Nazis would not interfere with Catholic Church’s political & legal rights, Nazis accepted Catholic Church’s control over its own education and In return, Catholic Church not interfere in politics, Pope would give diplomatic recognition to Nazi govt