The Rise of Hitler and Nazi Germany

Question 1

Describe the economic problems faced by the Weimar Republic 1919-1933 (6)

Answer 1

• Germany was left with huge debts from the war
• Germany was given a reparations bill of £6.6 billion
• Lack of production in the Ruhr as a result of the French occupation
• Printing more money to pay striking workers contributed to hyperinflation
• Hyperinflation caused huge problems for those on fixed incomes because their incomes became worthless
• The Great Depression brought mass unemployment

Question 2

Explain the appeal of Hitler and the Nazis to German up to 1933 (6)

Answer 2

• The Nazis boasted strong leadership which enticed the German people, they were tired of the Weimar Republic
• Hitler’s passionate and powerful speeches attracted many
• The scale and stature of the displays put on at the Nuremberg rallies impressed Germans
• The appearance and uniform of the SA dazzled the public
• The wealthy were attracted by the Nazi’s anti-Communist stance
• The promise of a strengthened military was popular

Question 3

Explain why the Nazis were able to intimidate Germans 1933-1939 (6)

Answer 3

• The public were frightened that they would be taken away by the Gestapo
• The Gestapo encouraged people to denounce others, which was intimidating
• Banning and demonising other parties scared people off political opposition
• Many were imprisoned in camps in which they were treated badly
• Private interactions were monitored
• Hitler Youth leaders encouraged young people to report nonconformity which frightened people

Question 4

Describe the terms of the Treaty of Versailles (6)

Answer 4

• Germany was blamed for starting the war
• Germany was not allowed to have any military presence in the Rhineland
• Germany lost land to other countries in Europe, for example Denmark, France, Poland
• Germany was to pay reparations, which were set in 1921
• Germany was banned from uniting with Austria
• Germany was not allowed to have any military aircraft

Question 5

Explain why Jews and other minorities were treated so badly in Nazi Germany 1933-1939 (6)

Answer 5

• Nazi ideas on science meant that people with disabilities were treated badly such as euthanasia
• Jews were blamed for adverse events such as the defeat in the First World War
• Nazi racial ideas meant minority groups were treated badly such as Roma gypsies
• Religious groups such as Jehovah’s Witnesses were persecuted for not cooperating with the Nazis
• Jews were denied access to professional jobs to prevent them from earning a living
• Jews were denied access to education, affecting their opportunities

Question 6

Explain why many Germans did not oppose the Nazi 1933-1939 (6)

Answer 6

• Many Germans credited the Nazis with resolving economic problems
• Hitler was viewed as a great leader who had restored German pride
• Political opposition was difficult after the banning of other political parties
• Press censorship made it difficult for Germans to read any criticism of Hitler or the Nazis
• Nazi propaganda helped maintain support for the regime
• People were worried they could be arrested by the Gestapo

Question 7

Describe the Nuremberg Rallies (6)

Answer 7

• Rallies were usually held in August and September lasting several days
• Rallies featured spectacular torchlit processions
• Hitler made a speech each year
• Nazi brownshirts marched in formation at the rallies
• Members of Hitler youth groups attended
• Nazi symbols were displayed prominently

Question 8

Describe the effects of hyperinflation on Germany (6)

Answer 8

• Some people benefitted financially from hyperinflation such as those with loans
• People on wages were safe as they were able to renegotiate their wages each day
• Pensioners on fixed incomes and those with savings were most badly hit
• Hardships created by hyperinflation led to many uprisings as groups struggled to take power from Weimar
• People had to carry their money around in wagons because prices went so high
• Lingering at shop windows was a luxury as waiting even another minute meant an increase in price

Question 9

Describe the treatment of Jews and other minorities groups in Nazi Germany (6)

Answer 9

• Anti-Jewish propaganda was scattered everywhere blaming them for the defeat in WWI
• Jews were often abused and beaten up in the streets
• Anti-Semitic education taught German people to be hostile towards Jewish people
• The 1935 Nuremberg Laws were introduced to protect German blood, this banned marriage between Jews and non-Jews
• A sexual relationship between a Jew and a non-Jew even outside of marriage became a criminal offence
• The 1935 National Law of Citizenship stripped Jewish people of their citizenship. They lost the ability to vote and their rights

Question 10

Explain why youth movements were so important to the Nazi State (6)

Answer 10

• Children were more susceptible to brainwashing
• Boys were trained in military techniques to become future soldiers
• Boys were taught the importance of following orders
• Girls were trained to be good wives and mothers as they had the responsibility for nurturing future Nazis
• Youth movements also proved useful for Party fundraising
• The young made good informants on ‘Anti-Nazi’ adults such as parents and teachers

Question 11

Describe the events of the Munich Beer Hall Putsch in 1923 (6)

Answer 11

• Hitler and the SA interrupted a meeting of Bavarian politicians in the Beer Hall threatening violence
• Kahr, General Jon Lossow and Colonel von Seisser were forced to publicly announce their support for the Nazis
• When Hitler left the Beer Hall, Ludendorff allowed the politicians to go free but they immediately alerted the police and army
• Outside the Beer Hall a shot was fired and moments later shots rang out from both sides
• As a result of the mass shooting several Nazis and policemen lost their life and many more were wounded
• Hitler and Ludendorff were arrested afterwards

Question 12

Explain why support for the Nazis grew by January 1933 (6)

Answer 12

• Versailles was very unpopular in Germany and Hitler’s promise to ingore it got him a lot of support
• Hitler’s promise to end unemployment was very popular
• The financial support of wealthy businessmen gave Hitler the money to run his propaganda campaigns
• Nazi propaganda persuaded the German masses that Hitler was their last hope
• Germans were tired of a series of weak coalitions so they supported Hitler who looked like a strong leader
• The Weimar’s failure to deal with economic problems like hyperinflation helped to create support for the Nazis

Question 13

Explain why there was a lack of effective opposition in Nazi Germany 1933-1939 (6)

Answer 13

• Opposition leaders were arrested and killed and many others fled Germany
• Those who did not actively support the Nazis kept quite through fear of the Gestapo
• Opposition faced difficulty in publicising their views due to the strict censorship of anything critical of the regime
• There was little cooperation between opposition groups such as the Communists and Socialists
• Most church groups agreed to cooperate with the Nazis
• Opposition groups such as the Edelweiss Pirates were disorganised

Question 14

Explain Nazi education policies (6)

Answer 14

• All teachers had to vetted by local Nazi officials and any teacher considered disloyal was sacked
• In racial studies girls were taught about the characteristics to look out for in a perfect husband
• History was based on the glory of Germany and a nationalistic approach was required
• Maths had a military stance such as sums involving the amount of bombs an aircraft could carry
• Biology became a study of the different races to ‘prove’ the Nazi belief in racial superiority
• Hitler’s photo or a Swastika flag was in each classroom as a constant reminder of Nazism

Question 15

Explain why Germans were opposed to the Treaty of Versailles (6)

Answer 15

• Germany got no say in the Treaty and called it a dictated piece which angered Germans
• Germany was blamed for starting the war which humiliated them
• Germans resented the fact that they had to pay reparations
• Germany lost land and led to some Germans living under foreign rule which angered these people
• Germans thought it was unfair that they were stripped of some of their overseas colonies
• Armed forces reduced which led to increased unemployment

Question 16

Describe the activities of the Hitler Youth (6)

Answer 16

• Boys learned military skilled such as practising with weapons
• Boys were tested on their knowledge of Nazism
• To toughen the boys up they were taken on cross country hikes and runs
• Played musical instruments and learned Nazi songs
• Competitive boxing matches were held
• Compulsory gymnastics and other sporting activities such as football

Question 17

Explain why the Weimar government was unpopular up to 1925 (6)

Answer 17

• Some people felt coalition government were weak and they spent too much time arguing
• Many Germans didn’t like democracy and longed for the return of the Kaiser
• Appeared to be unable to fix Germany’s economic problems such as hyperinflation
• Criticised by nationalists for giving in to foreign powers
• Blamed for accepting the Treaty of Versailles
• Criticised for allowing the French to invade the Ruhr