two things questions (Q4) Flashcards
(5 cards)
Two problems faced by the government during the Depression?
One problem faced by the German government during the Depression was the devastation of German people’s lives that was caused as a result. Unemployment and homelessness increased dramatically, as businesses shut down and workers could no longer pay for their rent. People were hungry and desperate, as the middle class had lost their savings for the second time in a decade, after the impact of hyperinflation. The government had to find a way to assist the German people, who were suffering immensely.
Another problem faced by the German government was the rise in support for extreme political parties. German people were starving, and urgently wanted changes to be made, so many became more willing to listen to extreme views from parties such as the Nazis, who promised radical solutions to the problems Germany was facing. Additionally, millions of people blamed the Weimar government for the depression, and believed that the current system of government was too chaotic and ineffective, and had to be altered. This caused a rise in support for other smaller political parties, that now threatened the current government’s position, as well as how parliament would be operated.
Two problems faced by Germany after the Kaiser abdicated in 1918
One problem faced by Germany after the Kaiser abdicated was that the government was threatened by other political groups who wanted to take over. An example of this was the attempted revolution of the communist Spartacus League in 1919, which was stopped after the temporary German leader, Friedrich Ebert, sent the Free Corps - a group of right-wing ex-soldiers - to fight them.
Another problem faced by Germany was that the country needed a new government. Since the Kaiser had abdicated, the country was no longer a constitutional monarchy, and the German people wanted a democratic system where they could decide to vote for their politicians and laws. In response to this, the Reichstag introduced proportional representation, but since there were so many political parties with opposing views, it was hard to make decisions as nobody could agree and there was no majority rule.
Two problems faced by Germans during WW2
During the Second World War, one problem that German people faced was that they had to endure the negative effects of war when they were not winning on the battlefield. Since supplies were prioritised to soldiers, those at home had to make sacrifices, and there were major food shortages across Germany, as well as shortages of other items such as soap and clothes. These items had to be rationed, since they were in such short supply that German people were limited to only a small amount of each, or were forced to find substitutes.
Another problem that the German people faced during the Second World War was the bombing of their towns and cities. The USA and Britain began bombing German cities from 1942, causing all electricity, water and transport to be severely damaged or destroyed in affected areas. The bombs also caused devastating floods and gas explosions, which further increased the number of casualties that medical services had to aid - which were already extremely strained.
two problems faced by German government when dealing with hyperinflation
One problem was that many Germans blamed the government for the collapse of the economy and the loss of their savings and jobs. The public anger and unrest created the conditions for extremist groups to take action, such as the Nazis attempting the Munich Putsch in 1923, which challenged the authority of the Weimar Republic.
Another problem was that the government still needed to support striking workers in the Ruhr who were carrying out passive resistance against the French occupation. To do this, they printed more money to pay their wages, but this only worsened hyperinflation by further devaluing the German mark, making basic goods unaffordable and damaging confidence in the currency.
two problems faced by Jews
legislation and laws passed - Nuremburg laws revoked citizenship, made it illegal for Jew and Non-Jew marriage, not allowed to vote
violence against Jews - Kristallnacht 1938, 100 killed, 2000 sent to concentration camps, shops and businesses destroyed, synagogues burned
