Democracy and Dictatorship 1890 - 1945 Flashcards
Revise Germany under the Kaiser and Weimar Republic, the impact of the Great Depression, and the experiences of German people under Nazi rule. (133 cards)
1
Q
When did smaller states unite to become Germany?
A
1871
2
Q
What was the largest and most powerful state?
A
Prussia
3
Q
Who was leader of Germany between 1888 - 1918?
A
Kaiser Wilhelm II
4
Q
What was the Kaiser’s personality like?
A
Quick to anger, prone to fits of rage, jealous of Britain and incredibly ambitious.
5
Q
Why was the influence of Prussian militarism a problem for the Kaiser?
A
Prussia was the largest and most powerful German state which influenced national policy and placed militarism at the centre of Germany’s focus.
6
Q
What powers did Kaiser Wilhelm II have?
A
The right to ignore his advisers (Chancellor and Reichstag), create his own laws, and he was in control of Germany’s military.
7
Q
Who appointed the Chancellor between 1888 - 1918?
A
Kaiser Wilhelm II
8
Q
Why did Germany follow a policy of industrialisation during the Kaiser’s reign?
A
To increase factories and the production of goods so they could prepare for war, modernise Germany, and compete with Britain.
9
Q
What problems were caused by industrialisation?
A
Socialism grew in Germany as there was a larger amount of factory workers.
10
Q
Which political party represented the socialists in Germany?
A
The Social Democrat Party (SDP) (they promised to improve conditions for workers in Germany).
11
Q
What were the Naval Laws?
A
A series of laws encouraged by Admiral von Tirpitz which expanded Germany’s navy.
12
Q
What problems did the Navy Laws cause for the Kaiser?
A
They had a negative impact on Anglo-German relations and led to German debt rising to 490 billion marks.
13
Q
How did the Kaiser attempt to appease the socialists?
A
By introducing a series of social reforms between 1889 - 1903 (sick pay was introduced, child labour was banned, pensions for the elderly and health insurance was provided).
14
Q
How long did the First World War last?
A
July 1914 - Nov 1918
15
Q
What impact did the First World War have on the German people?
A
Expanded divisions between rich and poor, lack of food caused malnutrition, riots and mutinies, 600,000 widows and 2 million orphans, 500,000 Germans killed by starvation of influenza.
16
Q
What impact did the First World War have on Germany?
A
National income was 1/3 of what it was in 1913, industrial production was 2/3 of what it was in 1913.
17
Q
What was the Kiel Mutiny of 1918?
A
German sailors refuse to attack British ships sparking a mutiny.
18
Q
What were the main factors that led to the Kaiser’s abdication?
A
Refusal to share power with the Reichstag, refusal to agree peace terms with allies, German civilians leading revolts against his leadership in cities such as Bavaria and Munich.
19
Q
When did Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicate?
A
9th November 1918
20
Q
Who replaced Wilhelm as leader of Germany?
A
Friedrich Ebert (leader of the SDP) formed the Weimar Republic and became its first president in 1918.
21
Q
What is a republic?
A
A form of government where leaders are elected democratically.
22
Q
What was the nickname given to the politicians who signed the armistice?
A
The November Criminals - they were used as scapegoats by the Nazis to blame for Germany’s surrender in the First World War.
23
Q
What did Ebert promise the people of Germany?
A
Democratic elections, freedoms of speech, press, and worship, as well as better working conditions.
24
Q
How was the Weimar Republic structured?
A
President
Chancellor
Reichstag
German people
25
What was the role of the President in the Weimar Republic?
Responsible for controlling the armed forces, setting foreign policy and handling moments of crisis. Elected every 7 years and could use Article 48.
26
What was the role of the Chancellor in the Weimar Republic?
The president chose the Chancellor (usually from the largest political party) and they were responsible for the day to day running of the country: taxation, law and order, education. They must have at least half of the Reichstag's support to pass laws.
27
What was the role of the Reichstag in the Weimar Republic?
Members of the Reichstag (elected by the German people) met and discussed new laws.
28
What was the role of the German people in the Weimar Republic?
All men and women over 20 had the right to vote in elections to determine the President and the politicians in the Reichstag.
29
Why was Article 48 a problem for the Weimar Republic?
The President could pass laws without approval from the Reichstag in emergency situations. (non-democratic)
30
What was proportional representation?
Political parties were given the same number of seats in the Reichstag equivalent to the percentage of votes they received in the election. (e.g. 10% of the vote = 10% of the seats in the Reichstag).
31
Why was proportional representation a problem for the Weimar Republic?
Due to the vast amount of political parties in Germany it was very difficult for any party to gain a majority to allow laws to be passed.
32
What do left-wing political parties believe in?
Equality, better working conditions, government intervention in the economy, and progressive change. E.g. Social democrats or communists (left-wing extremists).
33
What do right-wing political parties believe in?
Emphasis on traditional views, limited government intervention in the economy and a social hierarchy. E.g. German People's Party or Nazis (right-wing extremists).
34
When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?
June 28th 1919
35
What were the key terms of the Treaty of Versailles?
Blame - Germany took full blame for causing the First World War.
Reparations - Germany must pay the allies £6.6 billion for damage.
Armed Forces - Germany army limited to 100,000 men and conscription was banned.
Territory - Alsace-Lorraine was returned to France and Germany lost all colonies. Forbidden to unite with Austria.
36
What was important about the Ruhr region in Germany?
It was Germany's main industrial area where they produced goods to sell to provide the government with money.
37
What was the Invasion of the Ruhr (1923)
Germany failed to make its reparations payment to the allies in 1922. French and Belgian soldiers invaded the industrial Ruhr region and took raw materials in the place of cash.
38
What impact did the Invasion of the Ruhr (1923) have on Germany?
Ebert ordered the workers in the Ruhr to go on strike but promised to continue paying them. Germany production halted stopping the country from making money.
39
Why did hyperinflation occur in Germany (1923 - 1924)?
Ebert and the Weimar government printed more money to pay the workers in the Ruhr leading to the German mark becoming worthless.
40
What were the impacts of hyperinflation?
The German mark lost all value. A loaf of bread cost 200 million marks by the end of 1923.
Confidence in the Weimar Republic fell dramatically leading to a rise in support for extremist groups.
41
Who benefitted from hyperinflation?
Farmers were able to sell their goods at high prices.
Businessmen and those with loans were easily able to repay their loans.
42
Which groups lost the most due to hyperinflation?
Middle Class - lost all savings
Elderly - pensions could no longer cover the cost of living
43
Who was appointed Foreign Minister of the Weimar Republic in 1923?
Gustav Stresemann
44
How did Stresemann end hyperinflation by 1924?
He called off the strike in the Ruhr.
Introduced a new currency called the Rentenmark at a ratio of 1 trillion old marks was worth 1 Rentenmark restoring its value.
Sacked 700,000 civil servants (government employees) to reduce government expenditure.
45
What two economic deals did Stresemann agree in 1924 and 1929?
Dawes Plan (1924) - Reparation payments spread over a longer period of time and a 800 million mark loan from the USA.
Young Plan (1929) - Reparation payments were reduced by 20% and the USA continued to loan Germany money.
46
How did Stresemann restore Germany's reputation internationally between 1923-1929?
Locarno Treaties 1925
Germany joins the League of Nations 1926
Kellogg - Briand Pact 1928
47
What were the Locarno Treaties (1925)?
Germany, France and Belgium agreed not to invade each other and accept the borders after the First World War.
48
What was the League of Nations?
An international council established so countries could solve disputes diplomatically.
49
Why was it important that Germany joined the League of Nations in 1926?
It showed that Germany had accepted the Treaty of Versailles, moved away from a militaristic attitude and trust was being rebuilt among other countries.
50
What was the Kellogg-Briand pact of 1928?
An agreement between 68 countries to not solve disputes by declaring war on each other.
51
How did the Weimar Republic recover between 1923 - 1929?
Industrial production in 1928 was higher then in 1913.
German exports rose by 40%.
52
What signs of weakness were still evident in the Weimar Republic 1923 - 1929?
Unemployment did not fall below 1.3 million
Germany became dependent on loans from the USA.
Weimar Republic expenditure was still in deficit.
53
What happened during the Spartacist Uprising of 1919?
The Spartacists (German communists) tried to seize power in Berlin led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg.
54
How was the Spartacist Uprising stopped?
Ebert used the Freikorps (ex-soldiers) to crush the revolt.
55
What happened during the Kapp Putsch 1920?
The Freikorps (right-wing ex soldiers) led by Dr Wolfgang Kapp seized power in Berlin.
56
How was the Kapp Putsch stopped?
German workers went on strike and forced the Freikorps to flee to stop the German economy from collapsing.
57
Which two key figures were assassinated during 1923 - 1929?
Matthias Erzberger (politician who signed the armistice).
Walter Rathenau (Foreign minister 1922).
58
What happened during the Munich Putsch 1923?
The Nazi Party led by Hitler attempted to seize power in Munich.
59
Why did the Munich Putsch fail?
The army and police were notified of the putsch and mobilised to put them down.
60
What were the key consequence of the Munich Putsch?
Short term - Hitler was arrested and sent to prison.
Long term - Hitler writes Mein Kampf, Nazi party reorganised to achieve power democratically rather than seizing it.
61
Why were the 1920s in Germany seen as a 'Golden Age'?
The arts flourished and there was a vast amount of political and cultural progress.
62
Why were artists allowed to express themselves during the 'Golden Age'?
The Weimar Republic allowed freedom of speech and the press, removing censorship which had been use during the reign of the Kaiser.
63
How did German culture change under the Weimar Republic?
Nightlife - Cabaret became very popular.
Artists - Bauhaus was founded and artists such as George Grosz and Otto Dix used expressionism to comment on the brutalities of the First World War.
Berlin - The capital became a hub for intellectuals such as Albert Einstein.
Cinema - The German film industry boomed, classics such as The Blue Angel, Metropolis and Nosferatu were produced during this time.
64
Why did some Germans dislike the changes to Weimar Culture?
Traditionalists, rural population, and Nazis all viewed Weimar Culture as decadent and immoral. They longed for a return to traditional values.
65
What was the Wall Street Crash (1929)?
The US stock market crashed, investors lost massive amounts of money. The USA recalled its loans to cover their losses.
66
How did the Wall Street Crash impact Germany?
The USA recalled loans which had supported the German economy's recovery. Germany entered an economic depression.
67
How long did the Great Depression affect Germany?
1929 - 1934
68
How did the Great Depression impact the lives of the German people?
By 1933 1 in 3 Germans were unemployed.
Between 1929 - 1930 industrial production halved.
People lost confidence in the Weimar Republic and began to support extremist groups such as the Nazis. By 1932 the Nazis held 230 seats in the Reichstag.
President Hindenburg used Article 48 to frequently pass laws.
Germans became reliant on soup kitchens, food banks, and charity to survive.
69
Who was President of Germany between 1925 - 1934?
Paul Von Hindenburg.
70
Why did the Nazis appeal to the German people?
The Great Depression - Nazis promised to restore economic stability
Lack of confidence in the Weimar Republic
Appeal of Hitler - Hitler was a gifted speaker, we a was a former solider and inspired Germans to believe they needed to return to a strong single leader.
Fear of Communism - The middle class were particularly worried about communism due to the Russian Revolution. Hitler promised to destroy communism.
Nazi Propaganda - Radios and posters were used to spread Nazi beliefs and the SA were used to intimidate political opponents.
71
Who were the SA?
Also known as the brownshirts, they were right-wing ex-soldiers who became the Nazi party's militia.
72
Why did farmers vote for the Nazis?
The Nazis promised they would have higher status in German society and would ensure prices would not drop as they had during the depression.
73
Why did the middle class vote for the Nazis?
The middle class had been arrested and killed in Russia after the revolution, Hitler promised to destroy communism.
74
Why did the Nazis appeal to young people in Germany?
The Hitler Youth Organisation gave children the opportunity to go camping, learn new skills. The Hitler Youth was really designed to indoctrinate young Germans.
75
Why did women vote for the Nazis?
Some women believed traditional family values had been ruined by the Weimar Republic and the Nazis would restore this.
76
Why did business owners vote for the Nazis?
Hitler promised strong leadership positions for big business owners and they also wanted him to destroy communism.
77
What factors led to Hitler becoming Chancellor in 1933?
Nazi propaganda and the SA
Both Fritz von Papen and Kurt von Schleicher were unpopular chancellors and failed to gain a majority.
By 1932 the Nazis had the most seats in the Reichstag.
Hindenburg believed if Von Papen was Hitler's vice-chancellor they would be able to control Hitler.
78
What happened during the Reichstag Fire?
The Reichstag (German parliament) burned down and Marinus van der Lubbe (a Dutch communist) was blamed by the Nazis.
79
How did the Reichstag Fire help Hitler consolidate his power?
Hitler blamed the communists and expelled them from the Reichstag. (removed them as a form of opposition).
Hindenburg declared a state of emergency and removed freedom of speech, press, and public assembly making it harder for opponents of the Nazis to resist them.
80
How did the March elections help Hitler consolidate his power?
The Nazi party had 44% of the vote and formed a coalition with the German National People's Party (8%). This gave Hitler and the Nazis a majority in the Reichstag so they could pass laws unopposed.
81
What does Führer mean?
German word for ‘leader’ used by Adolf Hitler to signify his absolute authority as sole ruler of Germany
82
What was the Enabling Act (1933)?
A law which allowed Hitler to pass laws without the Reichstag or the President's approval.
83
What was the significance of the Enabling Act?
Hitler could not pass laws to consolidate his power without anyone being able to legally stop him.
84
What happened during the Night of the Long Knives 30th June 1934?
Hitler used the SS to murder key figures (Ernst Rohm and Gregor Strasser) in the SA and other political opponents (Kurt von Schleicher).
85
What was the significance of the Night of the Long Knives?
Hitler removed all opposition from within the Nazi Party and showed that murder would be a common feature of his dictatorship.
86
How did Hitler remove opposition from the workers?
He banned trade unions in May 1933, stripping workers of their rights.
87
How did Hitler remove opposition from other political parties?
In July 1933 all political parties (except the Nazis) were banned creating a one-party state in Germany.
88
How did Hitler attempt to remove opposition from the Catholic Church?
By signing a Concordat (agreement) in July 1933 which stated the Nazis would not interfere with Catholics, if Catholics remained out of politics.
89
When did Hitler become Führer of Germany?
August 1934
90
What is a dictatorship?
A form of government where a single leader holds all power.
91
How many Germans were unemployed when Hitler became Chancellor in 1933?
6 million
92
What had Hitler promised the German people during his election campaigns?
Arbeit und Brot (work and bread)
93
What was autarky?
The Nazi aim to make Germany self-sufficient and not rely on foreign countries for trade.
94
What were the four schemes introduced by the Nazis to rebuild Germany's economy?
Public Work Schemes
The National Labour Front (RAD)
Conscription
Rearmament
95
How did Public Work Schemes help rebuild Germany's economy?
The Nazis ordered the building of autobahns (motorways), schools, and hospitals which created 100,000 jobs.
96
How did the National Labour Front (RAD) help rebuild Germany's economy?
All men aged 18-25 had to spend six months working in the RAD. They built drainage systems and planned forests. They were paid little but were no longer classed as being unemployed.
97
How did National Service help rebuild Germany's economy?
Hitler introduced conscription from 1935. All men aged 18-25 had to join the army for two years. By 1940 the German army had 1.4 million soldiers and they were not part of unemployment figures.
98
How did Rearmament help rebuild Germany's economy?
Hitler began getting Germany ready for war by ordering the creation of new tanks, airplanes, uniforms, and weapons. This led to factory owners becoming incredibly rich.
99
What was invisible unemployment?
The Nazis did not include women, Jews and soldiers in unemployment statistics.
100
Who benefitted from Nazi economic policy?
Big businesses wages rose by 50%
Agricultural price rose by 20%
101
Who suffered under Nazi economic policy?
20% of small businesses were closed
Jews and women were removed from jobs such as teachers, lawyers, and doctors.
102
How did the Nazis attempt to gain support from the workers?
Introduced schemes such as Strength through Joy, Beauty of Labour and the National Labour front to provide them with incentives.
103
What were some successes of Nazi economic policy?
Germany had a large network of motorways
By 1939 there no official unemployment in Germany.
Germany had recovered from the Great Depression.
104
What were some of the failures of Nazi economic policy?
Autarky was not achieved as the Nazis still imported 20% of its food and 33% of raw materials.
The benefits promised to workers were never delivered.
The economy was not ready for a long war in 1939.
105
How did the Second World War impact Germany?
Rationing was introduced in 1939 due to food shortages.
Area bombing by the allies targeted German cities and civilians.
Refugees fled westward between 1944-45 to escape the advancing
soldiers from Russia.
Employment shortages were caused by the 13 million men conscripted to fight for the Nazis. Women were recruited and the Nazis used political prisoners and undesirables for slave labour due to the shortage of men.
106
Why did Hitler and the Nazis want to control the youth of Germany?
Hitler believed if young people began supporting Nazi beliefs at a young age they would grow up to be strong and devoted Nazis.
107
What was the purpose of the Hitler Youth?
To prepare boys to become soldiers and indoctrinate them to Nazi beliefs.
108
What was the purpose of the German League of Maidens?
To prepare girls to become mothers and indoctrinate them to Nazi beliefs.
109
Who were the main youth resistance groups?
White Rose
Edelweiss Pirates
Swing Youth
110
How did Nazi social policy impact the lives of women?
Women were expected to return to 'traditional roles' and were encouraged to not have jobs.
111
What were the 3Ks which Nazis believed women should follow?
Kinder, Kirche, and Küche – ‘Children, Church, and Cooking’ a slogan used by the Nazis to reflect what women should dedicate their lives to
112
What was the Lebensborn movement?
Meaning ‘Fountain of Life’ was a Nazi movement to increase birth rates.
113
How did the Catholic Church oppose the Nazis?
Priests such as Archbishop Galen led campaigns against the Nazis calling for an end to their euthanasia programme.
114
Why did some Protestants support the Nazis?
They supported the Nazis views on marriage and traditional family values. The Nazis created the Reich Church to unify Protestant Nazis and it was led by Reich Bishop Ludwig Müller.
115
How did Protestants oppose the Nazis?
They created the Confessional Church which stated Nazi and beliefs were opposed to Christianity. Pastor Martin Niemöller – Leader of the Confessional Church was sent a concentration camp for his protests.
116
How did Christian opposition succeed in opposing the Nazis?
Galen's protests ended the Nazi euthanasia programme that was known as Aktion T4.
The Nazis returned control of the Protestant Church to the Confessional Church in 1937.
117
How did the Nazis change the education system and curriculum in Germany?
Student were taught eugenics, history lessons taught the success and glory of Germany, and the amount of PE was increased to keep young people fit and healthy.
All teachers who refused to join the Nazi Teachers Organisation were sacked.
118
How did changes to education increase support for the Nazis?
Children were indoctrinated from a young age and began to accept Nazi opinion as fact.
119
What was Nazi racial policy?
The belief that the Aryan Race as superior to all other race. Jews, Jehovah's Witnesses, homosexuals, Roma and Sinti were all classed as inferior and persecuted.
120
How did the Nazis enforce their racial beliefs on the German people?
Aktion T4 - Nazi euthanasia programme which murdered 200,000 people and 5,000 babies with disabilities.
Sterilisation - The Nazis forcibly sterilised 300,000 men and women who were deemed as inferior.
Concentration camps - The Nazis sent any racial or political opponents to concentration camps where they were worked to death, starved, or died from disease.
121
What was the Final Solution?
An agreement made in 1942 at the Wannsee Conference for the Nazis to exterminate the Jewish population of Europe.
122
Who was Nazi Minister of Enlightenment and Propaganda?
Dr Joseph Goebbels
123
What types of propaganda did the Nazis use to indoctrinate and control the people of Germany?
Censorship of the Press
Mass Rallies (Nuremberg)
Control of Radio Broadcasts
Sporting Events (1936 Olympics)
124
How did the Nazis control artists in Germany?
All artists had to join the Chamber of Culture and promise that their work would display a pro-Nazi message.
Any who refused to join were sacked.
125
How did the Nazis control art and culture in Germany?
Art - 6500 pieces of Weimar art were removed and burnt.
Architecture - Nazis rebuilt Germany to have big buildings like ancient Greece or Rome.
Literature - Nazis burnt thousands of books. Any books which had an anti-Nazi message were banned and Goebbels ensured books focused on the glory of the war and the Aryan race.
Film - All scripts were read by Goebbels and had to promote a pro-Nazi message.
Music - Classical composers such as Wagner, Beethoven, and Mozart were promoted, Jazz was banned due to originating from African-Americans.
Theatre - Cabaret nightclubs were closed as the Nazis viewed them as immoral.
Sports - The 1936 Olympics were used as a propaganda opportunity to show the strength of the Aryan Race.
126
What is a police state?
A country where the police and other organisations restrict the freedom of the people by monitoring their actions closely.
127
What was the SS?
Originally set up as Hitler's bodyguards but split into three sections to control the lives of German people.
128
Who was in charge of the SS?
Heinrich Himmler
129
What was the Gestapo?
Nazi secret police who spied on people who they thought might a threat. Listened to phone calls, read mail, and investigated people's homes.
130
How did the police and law courts increase Nazi control?
Ordinary police continued their work but ignored crimes by the Nazis.
Law courts and judges were under Nazi control. New laws meant that the death penalty could be given for telling an anti-Nazi joke, listening to a foreign radio broadcast or having a relationship with a Jew.
131
How were concentration camps used to control Germany?
As soon as Hitler became Chancellor in 1933 he built a concentration camp in Dachau, Germany. Anyone who did not fit in with Nazi racial or political beliefs were imprisoned here.
132
How did the people of Germany resist and oppose the Nazis?
In the privacy of their home they would tell an anti-Nazi joke or complain about the Nazis.
Some refused to give the Heil Hitler salute in public which was a legal requirement.
Youth groups such as the Swing Youth, White Rose Group, and the Edelweiss Pirates refused to conform to Nazi social policy.
133
What attempts were made to kill Hitler?
The July 1944 Bomb Plot - Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg and other Nazi leaders tried to assassinate Hitler with a bomb, they failed and were executed.
The Kreisau Circle - A group of army officers, professors, and aristocrats who discussed killing Hitler but actually did nothing.
