Revision-Notes-for-Paper-3-(Weimar-and-Nazi-Germany--1918-39)

Exam Overview

Exam Subject: Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-39

Key Sections:

• Weimar Republic (1918–29)

• Rise of the Nazis (1919–33)

• Nazi Control and Dictatorship (1933–39)

• Life in Nazi Germany (1933–39)

Weimar Republic (1918–29)

Historical Context:

• Established after Germany's defeat in WWI, the Weimar Republic replaced the imperial government led by Kaiser Wilhelm II, facing immense challenges right from its inception.

Key Events and Topics:

• Weimar Revolution: A revolution that led to the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II and the establishment of a parliamentary system.

• Weimar Constitution: Drafted in Weimar on 31 July 1919, it aimed to provide a democratic framework but included provisions that would lead to instability.

• Treaty of Versailles: Signed on June 28, 1919; it imposed harsh reparations and territorial losses on Germany.

• Spartacist Uprising (1919): An armed uprising by the Communists that was brutally suppressed, showing the vulnerability of the new government.

• Kapp Putsch (1920): A failed coup attempt by nationalist army officers that highlighted political instability.

• Invasion of the Ruhr (1923): French and Belgian troops occupied the Ruhr in response to German non-payment of reparations, leading to passive resistance and hyperinflation.

• Economic difficulties and recovery: Despite minor economic improvements during the late 1920s, the republic struggled with high unemployment and reliance on foreign loans.

• Cultural changes: The Weimar Republic experienced a cultural renaissance, with advancements in art, literature, and the emergence of a more liberal society, emphasizing women's rights improvements.

Weimar Revolution of 1918

Situation in Germany:

• The aftermath of WWII resulted in severe hardships, including food shortages and significant loss of life, particularly during the "Turnip Winter".

Unrest and Revolt:

• A series of mutinies, strikes, and protests utilized violence as visible signs of dissatisfaction against the imperial regime, creating fears of a communist uprising.

Key Outcomes:

• Followed by the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II on November 9, 1918, and the signing of the armistice concluding hostilities on November 10, 1918.

Weimar Constitution of 1919

Overview:

• Established the foundational legislative system for a democratic Germany.

Main Features:

• Proportional Representation: Allowed for multi-party coalitions, often leading to unstable governments.

• Article 48: Permitted the president to rule by decree during emergencies, leading to potential misuse.

Weaknesses:

• The reliance on coalition governments coupled with vague definitions of emergencies created a lack of decisive governance and contributed to political instability during the Republic’s tenure.

Treaty of Versailles

Background:

• The treaty concluded after intense negotiations among the Allied powers, significantly shaping the socio-political landscape in Germany.

Key Provisions:

• Territorial Losses: Germany lost approximately 13% of its territory, including Alsace-Lorraine to France and substantial parts of Prussia.

• Military Restrictions: Army limited to 100,000 men, and the Luftwaffe, the air force, was dissolved.

• Economic Burden: Imposed reparations of £6600 million, causing long-lasting economic strain.

Threats to the Weimar Government (1918-1920)

Spartacist Uprising (1919):

• A direct attempt by the Communists to seize power, which led to violent confrontations and illustrated the fragility of the Weimar Republic.

Kapp Putsch (1920):

• A coup led by nationalist factions, which suffered from a lack of popular support and was ultimately countered by a general strike.

Invasion and Occupation of the Ruhr (1923)

Causes and Implications:

• The occupation brought national humiliation and triggered a wave of economic decline due to state-sponsored passive resistance.

Economic Recovery (1924-1929)

Key Actions:

• Introduction of Rentenmark: Stabilized hyperinflation and reintroduced confidence in the German economy.

• Dawes Plan (1924): Restructured Germany’s reparations payments and stabilized the economy through substantial U.S. loans.

Societal Impact:

• The economy showed signs of recovery with reduced homelessness and improvements in standards of living but left long-term vulnerabilities from dependence on foreign loans.

Cultural Changes (1924-1929)

• A flourishing of arts with significant developments in cinema, theater, and modernist literature; women gained new rights politically and socially, challenging traditional roles.

Weaknesses of the Weimar Recovery:

• High unemployment remained a significant issue, particularly affecting the working class.

• Heavy reliance on loans from the U.S. created economic fragility that would be exposed during the Great Depression.

The Rise of the Nazi Party (1919-1933)

Founding and Ideology:

• The Nazi Party arose from the German Workers' Party, heavily influenced by Hitler’s charismatic leadership, who redefined the party’s core ideology to emphasize nationalism, anti-communism, and anti-Semitism.

Munich Putsch (1923):

• Hitler's failed coup attempt resulted in a brief imprisonment where he authored Mein Kampf, spreading his ideologies and enhancing his public profile.

Adolf Hitler's Rise to Chancellorship (1933)

Key Factors:

• The economic crisis of the Great Depression, coupled with continuous political failures, allowed Hitler to cultivate a broad base of support. His strategic political maneuvering led to his appointment as Chancellor on January 30, 1933.

Nazi Consolidation of Power (1933-39)

• Through the use of propaganda, political violence, and the establishment of a police state, the Nazis dismantled opposition and centralized control, leveraging terror as a means to ensure absolute loyalty and conformity.

Life in Nazi Germany (1933-39)

For Women:

• The regime propagated an ideology that emphasized motherhood and family roles, while simultaneously creating policies that marginalized women in the workforce.

For Youth:

• Education and youth organizations were pivots of Nazi indoctrination, often sidelining dissent or alternative viewpoints.

Economic Policies:

• Public works programs aimed at reducing unemployment created a façade of economic recovery but came at the cost of personal freedoms and societal control.

Persecution of Minorities:

• Implemented systemic discrimination against Jews, Romani people, and other marginalized groups, including the enactment of the Nuremberg Laws that stripped basic human rights away from Jews.

Political Control and Oppression:

• The Nazi regime maintained power through extreme measures to silence dissent, often involving violence, imprisonment, and extensive indoctrination efforts, creating a climate of fear and compliance among German citizens.