weimar and nazi germany

What was the Weimar Republic?

The democratic government established in Germany after World War I, lasting from 1919 to 1933.

What treaty ended World War I and imposed penalties on Germany?

The Treaty of Versailles.

What was hyperinflation in Germany?

A severe economic crisis in the early 1920s leading to skyrocketing prices and a collapse of the currency.

What marked the beginning of Hitler's rise to power?

The appointment of Adolf Hitler as Chancellor of Germany in January 1933.

What was the Night of the Long Knives?

A purge that took place in June 1934 where Hitler eliminated potential threats within the Nazi Party.

What was the significance of the Enabling Act of 1933?

It allowed Hitler to enact laws without the Reichstag's consent, effectively giving him dictatorial powers.

What was the role of the SS (Schutzstaffel)?

A paramilitary organization under Hitler that played a key role in enforcing Nazi policies and terror.

What was the Munich Agreement of 1938?

A settlement permitting Nazi Germany's annexation of portions of Czechoslovakia, intended to prevent war.

What was the Nuremberg Laws?

Racial laws enacted in 1935 that discriminated against Jews and stripped them of German citizenship.

What is the term for the Nazi propaganda machine?

The Ministry of Propaganda, led by Joseph Goebbels.

What was Kristallnacht?

A violent anti-Jewish pogrom that occurred on November 9-10, 1938, resulting in the destruction of Jewish property.

What was the purpose of concentration camps?

To detain and exterminate political prisoners, Jews, and other perceived enemies of the Nazi regime.

What did Lebensraum refer to?

The Nazi policy of territorial expansion, aimed at providing 'living space' for Germans.

What was the significance of the Reichstag Fire?

An event used by Hitler to justify the Reichstag Fire Decree, leading to a crackdown on civil liberties.

What event triggered World War II?

The invasion of Poland by Germany on September 1, 1939.

What was the Final Solution?

The Nazi plan for the systematic extermination of the Jews during World War II.

What was the impact of the Great Depression on Germany?

It worsened economic instability, leading to increased support for extremist parties like the Nazis.

Who were the Brownshirts?

The Sturmabteilung (SA), the Nazi Party's paramilitary organization that helped Hitler gain power.

What was the Munich Beer Hall Putsch?

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

What was the influence of the Hitler Youth?

A youth organization aimed at indoctrinating children with Nazi ideology.

What term describes the German economic recovery under Nazi rule?

Autarky and rearmament policies that led to economic improvement and reduced unemployment.

What was the significance of the Volkswagen project?

A government initiative to produce an affordable car, symbolizing Nazi propaganda and economic policy.

What was the Potsdam Conference?

A meeting of Allied leaders in 1945 to discuss the post-war order in Europe.

What did the term 'Aryan' signify in Nazi ideology?

The racial ideal promoted by the Nazis, often associated with people of Northern European descent.

What was the role of women in Nazi Germany?

Women were encouraged to focus on home-making and child-rearing, embodying the Nazi ideal of motherhood.

What were the first concentration camps in Germany?

Camps established in 1933 for political prisoners, including Dachau and Sachsenhausen.

What was the SS's role during the Holocaust?

They were responsible for the implementation of the Final Solution and overseeing extermination camps.

What was the purpose of the Nazi youth programs?

To train the youth in Nazi ideology and prepare them for future roles in the regime.

What is the term for the economic plan Germany followed after 1933 focusing on rearmament?

The Four-Year Plan.

Who was Heinrich Himmler?

Leader of the SS and key architect of the Holocaust.

What was the significance of the Anti-Comintern Pact?

An agreement between Nazi Germany and Japan aimed at opposing communism.

What was the role of propaganda in Nazi Germany?

To promote Nazi ideology, maintain control, and manipulate public opinion.

What was the economic policy of the Weimar Republic?

Characterized by hyperinflation and economic instability, particularly in the early 1920s.

What did the Dawes Plan entail?

A 1924 plan that aimed to stabilize the German economy and facilitate reparations payments.

What characterized the political culture of the Weimar Republic?

A struggle between democratic forces and extremist groups, including communists and Nazis.

What was the Young Plan?

A 1929 plan that further reduced Germany's reparations payments after the Dawes Plan.

What was the Reichstag?

The parliament of Germany during the Weimar Republic.

What was the consequence of the Great Depression for the Weimar Republic?

It led to political instability and the rise of extremist parties, including the Nazis.

What were the key factors in Hitler's rise to power?

Economic hardship, political instability, effective propaganda, and violent intimidation.

What was the role of the Gestapo?

The secret police of Nazi Germany responsible for suppressing dissent and opposition.

What was the significance of the Anschluss in 1938?

The annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany, demonstrating Hitler's aggressive expansion.

What was the Nazi-Soviet Pact?

A non-aggression treaty between Germany and the Soviet Union, signed in 1939.

What were the key features of Nazi education?

Emphasis on physical fitness, loyalty to Hitler, and anti-Semitic ideology.

What did the term 'Gleichschaltung' refer to?

The process of Nazification of all institutions in German society.

What was the significance of the Berlin Olympics in 1936?

A propaganda opportunity for the Nazis to showcase Germany as a strong and unified nation.

What characterized Nazi foreign policy in the 1930s?

Aggressive expansionism aimed at reversing the Treaty of Versailles.

What was the role of the healthcare system in Nazi Germany?

It was influenced by eugenics, aiming to promote a 'racially pure' population.

What is the term for the systematic state-sponsored persecution of Jews?

The Holocaust.

What was the significance of the Weimar Constitution?

It established a democratic framework but had weaknesses that contributed to the Republic's instability.

What was one major outcome of the 1932 elections in Germany?

The Nazis became the largest party in the Reichstag.

What role did the German Army play in the Nazi regime?

Initially, it was a key institution but later came under Nazi control and influence.

What was the function of the Volksgemeinschaft?

The concept of a 'people's community' aimed at uniting all Germans under Nazi ideology.

What was the impact of World War I on the Weimar Republic?

It caused social upheaval and economic difficulties that destabilized the new government.

What were the effects of Nazi policies on German culture?

Censorship, state control of arts, and promotion of Nazi ideology in artistic expression.

What was the role of the economy in sustaining the Nazi regime?

An economic recovery based on rearmament fueled support for the regime among the populace.

What was the significance of the 1936 Reichstag elections?

They further consolidated Nazi power and eliminated opposition.

What was the name of the Nazi regime's youth organization for boys?

Hitler Youth.

What was the role of the church in Nazi Germany?

Controlled and repressed, churches were often in conflict with Nazi ideology.

What was the official Nazi stance on art and culture?

Promotion of Aryan ideals and rejection of modernist and avant-garde movements.

What was the goal of Nazi racial policies?

To create a racially pure society and eliminate perceived 'undesirable' groups.

What resulted from the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941?

A pivotal turn in World War II leading to significant German losses.

What was Hitler's view on the Treaty of Versailles?

He regarded it as a national humiliation that needed to be reversed.

What was the rallying slogan of the Nazis?

Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer (One People, One Empire, One Leader).

What was the policy of appeasement?

The diplomatic strategy of making concessions to avoid conflict, notably used by Britain and France with Nazi Germany.

What was the role of women in the workforce during the Nazi regime?

Women were encouraged to leave work to make way for men and focus on family.

What was the significance of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising?

It was a major act of Jewish resistance against Nazi oppression in 1943.

What was Nazi ideology's stance on communism?

It viewed communism as a primary enemy and a threat to its existence.

What happened to Germany after WWII?

It was divided into East and West Germany and occupied by Allied powers.

What was Operation Barbarossa?

The code name for the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941.

What were the key features of Nazi propaganda?

Use of media to promote ideology, censorship, and glorification of the regime.

What was the policy toward the disabled under the Nazis?

Eugenics programs aimed at sterilization and euthanasia of those deemed 'unfit'.

What strategies did the Nazis use to control dissent?

Censorship, surveillance, intimidation, and violence.

What characterized the end of the Weimar Republic?

Severe economic crises and the rise of authoritarian rule.

What did the term 'Night of Broken Glass' refer to?

Kristallnacht, a pogrom against Jews marking the escalation of Nazi persecution.

What was the significance of the St. Louis incident?

A failed attempt by Jewish refugees to escape Nazi Germany, highlighting the world's indifference.

What was the significance of the V-2 rocket in the context of Nazi technology?

It was the world’s first long-range guided ballistic missile, showcasing advanced technology developed during the war.

Who was Albert Speer?

The Nazi Minister of Armaments and War Production, responsible for optimizing war production.

What was the purpose of the Nazi youth indoctrination?

To cultivate loyalty to Hitler and prepare future generations for the regime.

What characterized Nazi economic policies?

Focus on autarky, military expansion, and public works projects.

What was the impact of World War II on Jewish populations?

It led to the genocide of six million Jews during the Holocaust.

What were the consequences of the collapse of the Weimar Republic?

The rise of the Nazi regime, leading to totalitarianism and World War II.