Germany Economy Change

Question 1

From 1845-1870 the Germany railway network grew by 6 times from what to what?

Answer 1

3280km to 19575km

Question 2

New industries grew rapidly, and electrical output increased how much between 1890-1913?

Answer 2

By 18%

Question 3

What did AEG stand for and what was it?

Answer 3

Deutsche Edison Gesellschaft formed in 1883, was one of the first major industrial companies focused on electricity

Question 4

What were the main rivals to AEG?

Answer 4

Siemens and Halske

Question 5

What was the population in Germany in 1890 and 1910 and the reasons why there was a large labour force and larger markets for Germany’s products and consumer goods?

Answer 5

In 1890 was 50 million
In 1910 was 60 million
The large population ensured Germany enjoyed a boom right up to the outbreak of war

Question 6

Which Chancellor signed commercial treaties with countries from 1890-1894?

Answer 6

Caprivi

Question 7

What did the commercial treaties signed by Chancellor Caprivi do?

Answer 7

Lower the tariffs on imports and guarantee German markets for 12 years

Question 8

Germany was the biggest industrial nation by 1900. How much did their export value increase by between 1872-1914?

Answer 8

£365 million

Question 9

Name some of Germany’s main products in 1914

Answer 9

• synthetic ammonia (crucial in producing explosives)
• two thirds of Europe’s steel
• half of Europe’s coal
• 20% more electricity than Britain, France and Italy combined

Question 10

During the period 1918-1933 in Germany how much war debt did the Weimar Government inherit and what impact did this have on the economy?

Answer 10

140,000 million marks
Currency was devalued, trade destroyed, foreign investment was non-existent and inflation increased the cost of most goods

Question 11

In 1923 how much would a loaf of bread cost and why was this?

Answer 11

DM 9 million due to hyperinflation

Question 12

In 1924 what did chancellor Stresemann introduce and what was the impact?

Answer 12

Introduced a new currency called Rentenmark which stabilised the economy

Question 13

In 1924 why was Dawes plan good?

Answer 13

Because it provided massive investment from the US

Question 14

By what year had industrial production reached pre-World War one levels?

Answer 14

1927

Question 15

During which period did the GNP grow significantly?

Answer 15

1925-1929

Question 16

Why did the Korean War (1950-1953) boost the German economy?

Answer 16

Because the US army involved required goods that Germany excelled at producing

Question 17

Why did West Germany’s GNP treble during the 1950s?

Answer 17

It was as a result of the economy adapting to the changing environment in Europe, rather than the focus on heavy industry and mining. West Germany turned to advance machinery, electronics, cars and services eg banking and education

Question 18

Who was the Director of AEG during the First World War (1914-1918)?

Answer 18

Rathenau

Question 19

What did Rathenau establish during the First World War?

Answer 19

War Raw Materials Department in 1914

Question 20

What did the War Raw Materials Department do in 1914?

Answer 20

Reorganised industry to ensure the country had enough materials to fight in the war

Question 21

In 1915, what was Rathenau’s considerable achievement which helped the war effort?

Answer 21

His ability to manufacture nitrates from the air - which ensured the country had explosives to fight the modern war

Question 22

Before Rathernau developed his nitrates from air in 1915 to ensure the country had explosives to fight the modern war, where did explosives come from?

Answer 22

Chile

Question 23

In 1915 who did Rathenau work with and what did he develop?

Answer 23

He worked with scientists to create synthetic materials of those they could not import

Question 24

What year was the Central Purchasing Company formed during the First World War?

Answer 24

1916

Question 25

What did the Central Purchasing Company created in 1916 do?

Answer 25

Organise imports from neutral countries to try and maintain some elements of trade during war

Question 26

What did the Auxiliary Service Act do and what year did it start?

Answer 26

Direct the work of all men aged 17-60 from 1916

Question 27

Who was the Auxiliary Service Act formed under?

Answer 27

Hindenburg and Ludendorff

Question 28

In Nazi Germany 1933-1945, the Nazi’s invested heavily in work creation schemes. Give an example.

Answer 28

RAD

Question 29

From 1936 what did the four year plan focus on in Nazi Germany?

Answer 29

German industry and armaments production

By 1938, 44% of government expenditure focused on rearmament

Question 30

During WW2, what were occupied countries used for?

Answer 30

To further the economy millions of slave labourers made munitions and helped with farmers

Question 31

Who reorganised the Central Planning Board from 1942 and what was their function?

Answer 31

Albert Speer - it sorted the hampering of production of war materials