Set 2 But Better Flashcards
(19 cards)
What was the Treaty of Versailles?
Signed June 1919. Blamed Germany for WWI. Terms included the war guilt clause (Article 231), £6.6 billion reparations, loss of territory (e.g., Alsace-Lorraine), and severe military restrictions (e.g., army limited to 100,000, no air force or submarines).
What caused hyperinflation in 1923?
Germany printed large amounts of money to pay reparations and striking workers in the Ruhr after French and Belgian occupation. The mark lost its value, causing prices to spiral out of control. A loaf of bread cost 200 billion marks by November 1923.
Example of hyperinflation: A loaf of bread cost 200 billion marks by November 1923.
What was the Spartacist Uprising?
A Communist revolt in January 1919 led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht. It aimed to establish a workers’ state like in Russia. It was violently crushed by the Freikorps (right-wing ex-soldiers) with government support.
What was the Kapp Putsch?
A right-wing coup attempt in March 1920 led by Wolfgang Kapp, supported by the Freikorps. It aimed to overthrow the Weimar government. The putsch failed when workers went on a general strike, paralysing Berlin.
What was the Munich Putsch?
A failed Nazi coup in November 1923. Hitler, alongside General Ludendorff, tried to seize control of the Bavarian government in Munich. The police stopped the march, and Hitler was arrested and sentenced to 5 years (served 9 months), during which he wrote Mein Kampf.
What was the Dawes Plan?
Introduced in 1924 by American banker Charles Dawes. It reorganised Germany’s reparations to be more manageable and secured U.S. loans (800 million gold marks) to help Germany’s economic recovery.
What were the Golden Years?
1924–1929, under Gustav Stresemann. A period of economic stability, foreign policy success, and cultural development. Stresemann introduced the Rentenmark, agreed to the Dawes Plan, and helped Germany join the League of Nations in 1926.
What was the Bamberg Conference?
A 1926 meeting of the Nazi Party called by Hitler to resolve internal disputes. It unified the party under Hitler’s leadership and moved it away from socialist ideas toward more nationalist and racist policies.
What was the Wall Street Crash?
In October 1929, the U.S. stock market crashed, causing a global economic crisis. U.S. loans to Germany were recalled, causing German businesses to collapse, banks to fail, and unemployment to rise rapidly.
How did the Depression help the Nazis?
Unemployment reached over 6 million by 1932. People lost faith in democracy and turned to extremist parties. The Nazis promised jobs, strong leadership, and to reverse the Treaty of Versailles.
What happened in the July 1932 election?
The Nazis won 230 seats, becoming the largest party in the Reichstag, but not a majority. Hitler demanded to be Chancellor but was refused by President Hindenburg.
What happened in the November 1932 election?
Nazi support fell to 196 seats, but they were still the largest party. Political instability continued, and no majority government could be formed.
How did Hitler become Chancellor?
Conservative politicians like Franz von Papen and President Hindenburg believed they could control Hitler and use his popularity. On 30 January 1933, Hindenburg reluctantly appointed Hitler as Chancellor.
What was the Reichstag Fire?
On 27 February 1933, the Reichstag (parliament) building was set on fire. A Dutch Communist, Marinus van der Lubbe, was blamed. Hitler used it as an excuse to ban Communists and pass the Reichstag Fire Decree, which suspended civil liberties.
What was the Enabling Act?
Passed on 23 March 1933. Gave Hitler full power to make laws without Reichstag approval for four years. It marked the legal foundation of Hitler’s dictatorship.
What happened in May 1933?
Trade unions were abolished and replaced with the German Labour Front (DAF). Workers lost their right to strike and negotiate pay.
What happened in July 1933?
All political parties except the Nazi Party were banned. Germany officially became a one-party dictatorship.
What was the Night of the Long Knives?
On 30 June 1934, Hitler used the SS to purge the SA and other political threats. SA leader Ernst Röhm and around 400 others were killed. This secured the loyalty of the army and eliminated rivals.
What happened when Hindenburg died?
On 2 August 1934, President Hindenburg died. Hitler merged the roles of Chancellor and President, declaring himself Führer. The German army swore an oath of loyalty to him personally.
