Junkers

Question 1

During Kasier Reich 1871-1918 what did the Prussian voting system mean?

Answer 1

That Junker's votes were worth more than the middle and lower class votes to ensure their dominance
3 peasant votes to 1 Junker vote

Question 2

To retain parliamentary authority, who formed an alliance with the German Conservative Party (Junkers)?

Answer 2

The National Liberals in order they could stand up to the rising SPD who represented the working class

Junkers began to allow middle classes into positions of power to secure this alliance and preserve own positions

Question 3

Why were there riots in Prussia after 1908?

Answer 3

There was increasing political awareness and growing agitation

Question 4

During the riots in Prussia in 1908 how many seats did the SPD win?

Answer 4

Just 7, with 23% of the vote

Question 5

During the riots in Prussia in 1908 how many seats did the Junkers win?

Answer 5

212 with just 16% of the vote

Question 6

Name two Junkers who promoted other Junkers to positions of power

Answer 6

Kaiser and Chancellor

Question 7

In Nazi Germany in June 1934 what did Hitler do to the Junkers?

Answer 7

He manipulated them - Night of the Long Knives

Question 8

What was Night of the Long Knives in June 1934?

Answer 8

Hitler won support from the military leaders, due to concerns raised by the army about the power and recklessness of the SA

Question 9

When did Hindenburg die?

Answer 9

August 1934

Question 10

What did Hindenburg’s death in August 1934 mean for Hitler?

Answer 10

He assumed the role as Fuhrer, reducing power of the Junkers considerably

Question 11

Name 3 powerful Junkers that were removed from the Cabinet around 1938 and why?

Answer 11

1) Papen
2) Blomberg
3) Fritsch
They didn’t like Hitler’s aggressive foreign policy plans

Question 12

What was the Kreisau Circle?

Answer 12

A small group of military leaders that were concerned about the failings during the war who plotted to assassinate Hitler

Question 13

Who tried to kill Hitler? Did he succeed?

Answer 13

Count Von Stauffenberg

No and 5000 people were murdered by the Nazis

Question 14

Why did Hitler attempt to kill the Junkers?

Answer 14

He distrusted them to wipe out links to imperial Germany

Question 15

Why did Hindenburg and Ludendorff suggest that Germany be turned into a parliamentary democracy in September 1918?

Answer 15

Because it was believed that a lasting peace could only be achieved by democratic nations

Question 16

What did Prince Max - the reformist do on 28th October?

Answer 16

He pushed through reforms which ensured that the Prussian elite could no longer dominate the military or government and the unfair Prussian voting system was abolished

Question 17

Some Junkers were still holding powerful positions between 1920-1934? Name up to 3

Answer 17

1) Hans Von Seeckt, Commander in Chief of the Army 1920-1926
2) Franz Von Papen, Chancellor of Weimar Germany Jul-Dec 1932
3) Paul con Hindenbrug, President of Germany 1925-1934

Question 18

How did Von Seeckt manage to undermine Weimar?

Answer 18

He refused to fire upon the Freikorps during the Kapp Putsch in 1920 which led to Wolfgang Kapp being able to take over 3 days, the Putsch was eventually ended by Ebert calling for general strike which Kapp fled

Question 19

Who helped undermine Chancellor Schleicher and schemed with Hindenburg in Jan 1933?

Answer 19

Franz Von Papen

Question 20

How did Franz Von Papen describe Hitler?

Answer 20

As a “Chancellor in chains”

Question 21

In West Germany during 1945-1990 after the war what happened to the number of Junkers and why?

Answer 21

They declined as most Junker land was in Prussia, so most Junkers were forced to give up their land

Question 22

At the end of the WW2 in West Germany what happened to Junker lands in the Communist East?

Answer 22

Junker lands were divided into smaller plots and turned into state run farms

Question 23

In what year did the power of the Prussian land owning elite, come to an end?

Answer 23

1952