Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-1939

Weimar Republic Problems:

  • Weaknesses in the Weimar Constitution and new democracy.
  • Treaty of Versailles.
  • Political uprisings.
  • Hyperinflation causing economic instability.

Golden Age of the Weimar Republic:

  • Economy recovered under Stresemann, relying on US loans.
  • Short-term improvements.
  • Improved international relations; Germany joined the League of Nations.
  • Increased living standards, unemployment insurance, and 2 million new homes built.
  • Women gained more political rights and employment.

Nazi Support in the 1920s:

  • Lean years with little support.
  • Support for the Weimar Republic.
  • 1923 Munich Putsch failed; Hitler imprisoned, and the Nazi Party banned.
  • Ban lifted after 1925; Hitler reorganized the party to gain votes from 1926.

Hitler's Rise to Power:

  • 1929 Wall Street Crash led to 6 million unemployed.
  • Hitler's personal appeal.
  • Failings of the Weimar Republic.
  • Propaganda and the SA (Storm Troopers).

Hitler Becoming Führer (4 Steps):

  • Reichstag Fire.
  • Enabling Act in 1933.
  • Night of Long Knives in 1934.
  • Death of Hindenburg.

Life Under the Nazis:

  • Impact on women, youth, workers, and minorities.
  • Nazi policies, successes, and limitations.

Exam Structure:

  • Section A:
    • Q1: Infer two things (4 marks, 5-6 minutes).
    • Q2: Explain why (12 marks, 20-25 minutes).
  • Section B:
    • Q3a: How useful are sources (8 marks, 15-20 minutes).
    • Q3b: Main difference between views (4 marks, 5-6 minutes).
    • Q3c: Suggest reason for differing interpretations (4 marks, 5-6 minutes).
    • Q3d: How far do you agree with interpretation (16 marks + 4 SPAG, 30-35 minutes).
  • Total time: 80 minutes (100 minutes with extra time).

Q1: Inference Questions

  • Inference is a logical conclusion.
  • Provide details/quotes from the source as evidence.

Exam Technique for Explain Why Questions:

  • Focused on the question and include your knowledge and analysis.
  • Use analytical language to meet AO2 standards when explaining answers.
  • Use language such as resulting in, because, as a result, this highlighted, This meant that, This led to etc.
  • Structure the response thematically (PERMS - Political, Economic, Religious, Military, Social

Consolidating Power (1933-1934):

  • Removal of External Opposition:
    • Reichstag Fire (Feb 1933) - Removed Communists.
    • Enabling Act (March 1933) - Granted Hitler emergency powers, banned political parties, removed democracy.
  • Removal of Internal Opposition:
    • Night of Long Knives (June 1934) - Eliminated SA leadership, replaced with SS.
  • Death of Hindenburg (August 1934):
    • Hitler combined Chancellor and President, becoming Führer.

Life Changes Under the Nazis:

  • Living standards (reduction in unemployment, worker programmes (Strength Through Joy), Beauty of Labour).
  • Gender roles (policies to encourage women to leave work, limited access to higher education).
  • Nazi values and racial hygiene (Nuremberg Laws, sterilization, T4 Euthanasia Program, exclusion of Jews).

Changes for the Young Under the Nazis:

  • Control of education for indoctrination (Nazi Teacher's League, curriculum changes).
  • Control of leisure time (Hitler Youth, League of German Maidens).
  • Emphasis on eugenics and racial studies to create gender roles.

Munich Putsch

  • The Munich Putsch was not a success
  • The Munich Putsch a success
  • Hitler realised that taking over by force did not work and that the Nazi Party would need to use legal means to gain power by winning elections.
  • The Nazi Party was banned as a result of the Putsch. The ban was lifted in 1925..
  • Hitler turned his trial into a propaganda success.
  • Hitler was imprisoned in Landsberg Prison.
  • He learnt that the Judges (judiciary) were sympathetic with his arguments as he was given the lowest sentence of 5 years.
  • Whilst in prison Hitler wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle)