Germany (Predicted Living Standards)

Question 1

What were the main challenges faced by people in the early 1920s in Weimar Germany?

Answer 1

Aftermath of WWI, Treaty of Versailles, hyperinflation, poverty, unemployment

Hyperinflation in 1923 rendered people’s savings worthless.

Question 2

What improvements occurred during the Golden Years (1924–1929) in Weimar Germany?

Answer 2

Wages rose, working hours fell, new homes and public buildings built, unemployment insurance and welfare schemes introduced

Improvements primarily occurred under Chancellor Gustav Stresemann.

Question 3

Which groups did not benefit as much during the Golden Years?

Answer 3

Farmers, middle class

Economic stability was partially reliant on US loans.

Question 4

What event triggered the economic depression in Germany in 1929?

Answer 4

Wall Street Crash

This event led to soaring unemployment and widespread poverty.

Question 5

How many people were unemployed in Germany by 1932?

Answer 5

Over 6 million

This figure highlights the severity of the economic depression.

Question 6

What measures did the Nazi regime implement to reduce unemployment?

Answer 6

Public works (e.g. autobahns), rearmament, conscription

These measures were part of the regime’s broader economic strategy.

Question 7

What was the role of the German Labour Front (DAF) in Nazi Germany?

Answer 7

Replaced trade unions, controlled workers’ rights, increased working hours

Workers lost the freedom to bargain under the DAF.

Question 8

What benefits did the Strength Through Joy (KdF) programme offer?

Answer 8

Cheap leisure activities, holidays, Volkswagen scheme for affordable cars

Few individuals actually received the promised Volkswagen.

Question 9

What was the aim of the Beauty of Labour campaign?

Answer 9

Improve workplace conditions

This campaign was part of the regime’s efforts to promote worker satisfaction.

Question 10

Did real wages increase significantly during the Nazi regime despite job growth?

Answer 10

No

Job growth did not translate to significant increases in real wages.

Question 11

Which groups were excluded from most benefits in Nazi Germany?

Answer 11

Women, Jews, political opponents

This exclusion highlights the discriminatory policies of the regime.

Question 12

How did living standards in Weimar Germany compare to those in Nazi Germany?

Answer 12

Weimar Germany offered more freedom and welfare support; Nazi Germany provided economic stability and employment at the cost of freedom

Not all groups benefited equally under Nazi policies.

Question 13

True or False: Propaganda in Nazi Germany accurately reflected the living conditions.

Answer 13

False

Propaganda often made conditions seem better than they were in reality.