Test Revision 1.5-1.10

Question 1

What was the main crisis Germany faced in 1923?

Answer 1

Hyperinflation due to the government’s bankruptcy and excessive money printing, this was exacerbated the occupation of the Ruhr region.

Question 2

Who was the most important figure in stabilizing Germany during the crisis of 1923?

Answer 2

Chancellor Gustav Stresemann, an economist, politician, member of the moderate German People’s Party.

Question 3

How did Stresemann fix the economic crisis?

Answer 3

1. Orders German workers to return to work while he negotiates with French
2. Changed currency to Rentenmark and burned all Reichsmarks.
3. Negotiates with allies for the Dawes plan (reduced reparation payment amounts) and Allies gave them experts and the Young Plan (gave them until 1988 to pay).
4. He also convinced the US to lend them $800million USD and the French left the Ruhr and returned it.
5. Foreign experts came in to help with German banks and railways.

Question 4

What was a result of Stresemann’s policies on the German economy by 1929?

Answer 4

Germany was producing 33% more than before WW1

Question 5

Who criticized Stresemann’s policies and why?

Answer 5

German nationalists, like the Nazis, resented reparations a false admission of guilt for WW1 and foreign control,

Question 6

What was the impact of the crises of 1918-24 on German democracy?

Answer 6

Many Germans lost faith in the democratic system of the Weimar Republic. This disillusionment was highlighted by the election of General Paul von Hindenburg as President because he was a nationalistic army general.

Question 7

What is the ‘Golden Age’ of Weimar Germany?

Answer 7

The period from 1924 to 1929 marked by economic recovery and cultural flourishing, because of the 800million USD. Resulted in expansion of businesses and living standards improving.

Question 8

Who was Adolf Hitler?

Answer 8

The leader of the Nazi Party who transformed Germany into a dictatorship from 1933 onwards

Question 10

What political party did Hitler join in 1919 and who led them.

Answer 10

The German Workers’ Party led by Anton Drexler.

Question 10

What did Anton Drexler blame for Germany’s weakness?

Answer 10

Jews, Communists, and capitalists

Question 11

What role did Hitler take on in the German Workers’ Party?

Answer 11

He was put in charge of propaganda

Question 12

What did Hitler rename the German Workers’ Party?

Answer 12

The National Socialist German Workers’ Party in 1921.

Question 13

What was the 25 Point Programme?

Answer 13

A document outlining the party’s beliefs on how Germany could be saved

Question 14

What did Kurt Ludecke describe about Hitler’s speeches?

Answer 14

They were hypnotic and held the masses under a spell

Question 15

List some examples of Nazi ideas.

Answer 15

• Germany should not have to pay reparations
• Germany should rebuild its army
• Jews should not be given rights
• Protection for German farmers and businesses
• Government support for mothers and families
• Better pensions

Question 16

Who were the scapegoats Hitler blamed for Germany’s problems?

Answer 16

• The Allies
• The Treaty of Versailles
• The ‘November Criminals’
• The Communists
• The Jews

Question 17

How did the Nazi Party’s membership change?

Answer 17

Grew from 55 members in 1919 to 55,000 members in 1923.

Question 18

What did Hitler do whilst in jail?

Answer 18

He developed Mein Kempf, My Struggle which was an expansion of the 25 Point Programme. He also discovered he had to win power democratically.

Question 19

What was the primary purpose of the SA?

Answer 19

Translates to Storm Division protect Nazi leaders and intimidate critics. Nicknamed “Brown Shirts.”

Question 20

How many members of the SA were under 30?

Answer 20

80%, because young men were frustrated with Weimar Germany.

Question 21

What event did Hitler believe was the right time for the Nazis to seize power?

Answer 21

The economic crisis due to hyperinflation from the Great Depression.

Question 22

What was the Munich Putsch?

Answer 22

An uprising launched on 8 November 1923 against the government launched by Hitler, where 600 armed Nazis seized control of Munich. Hitler declared the national revolution had begun, similarly to Phillipp Schneidemann. This coup d’état ultimately failed, when it was stopped by Bavarian authorities.

Question 23

What was the outcome of the Munich Putsch?

Answer 23

Hitler was arrested and charged with treason. Hitler got more publicity as he was on the front page of the newspapers for 24 days.

Question 24

Lebensraum?

Answer 24

Living space for Germany’s growing population

Question 25

What did Hitler aim to do after being released from prison?

Answer 25

To democratically win power with Führerprinzip (leadership principle).

Question 26

What major crisis did the Nazis aim to take advantage of after 1928?

Answer 26

The Great Depression

Question 27

Who were considered 'sub-human' by Hitler?

Answer 27

Jews, Gypsies and Slavic peoples

Question 28

What happened in Hitler's trial?

Answer 28

As judge's felt sympathy for him he only got 5 years, the minimum sentence and got let out after 6 months, for good behaviour. This gained him popularity as it was on the front page for 24 days.

Question 29

Why did the Golden Age end and what was the impact?

Answer 29

The Wall Street Crash of October 1929 meant shares collapsed, Americans banks withdrew their investments and demand loan repayments from Germany, destroying the basis of the German economy. Germans panicked and tried to withdraw all their money destroying the middle classes' savings again. This caused the Great Depression causing unemployment and poverty. The Reichstag couldn't agree upon anything and make decisions, this meant German's began losing faith in moderate parties and turned to extremist solutions.

Question 30

What were the rates of unemployment in 1932?

Answer 30

Unemployment went from 1.5 million in 1929 to its peak, 6 million in 1932.

Question 31

What were the impacts of Great Depression?

Answer 31

1. They were forced to accept lower wages. 2. German businesses could not sell many goods, because people could not afford to buy anything. 3. Living standards fell meaning that many could not afford food, rent and heating. 4. Food shortages 5. homelessness

Question 32

Who was the chancellor of Germany between 1930 and 1932 and what did he do?

Answer 32

Heinrich Brüning, was unpopular because he raised taxes, reduced unemployment benefits, fired and reduced salaries of government employees.

Question 33

How did the Nazis use the Great Depression to their advantage?

Answer 33

The Nazis fearmongered blaming the policies of coalition governments for causing Germans suffering and portrayed themselves as "Our Last Hope."

Question 34

What ideas did the Nazis emphasise in their Reichstag campaigns?

Answer 34

1. Attack "failing" parties who had failed since the armistice. 2. Use Jews as a scapegoat 3. Promise to end unemployment 4. Promise to overturn Treaty of Versailles and restore Germany's glory. 5. Unite germans and restore moral order.

Question 35

What methods did the Nazis use to influence the German voters?

Answer 35

1. Millions of pamphlets and colourful posters 2. Target concerns of specific groups such as mothers, farmers and middle class to make them feel special 3. Nazis opponents were attacked 4. Rallies that mixed entertainment music and lightshows, with political propaganda 5. Nazi politicians speak in beer halls 6. Get speakers to visit small villages with cars and Hitler toured in his private plane, which was progressive and brave.

Question 36

How did the Nazis popularity increase?

Answer 36

Between 1930 and 1932 Nazis popularity went from 6,409,000 to 14 million, 37% of population.

Question 37

How did Hitler become the Chancellor?

Answer 37

Paul von Hindenburg the President hated Hitler, but Franz von Papen convinced him that by forcing Hitler to share power by creating a coalition with several other parties that “Within two months we will have pushed Hitler so far in the corner that he'll squeak.” On 30 June 1933 Hitler becomes Chancellor.

Question 38

Socialism vs Nationalism

Answer 38

Socialism: Promotes equality, public ownership, and class unity. Nationalism: Promotes national pride, loyalty, and unity—focused on advancing one nation’s interests.