Weimar and Nazi Germany - Importance of Germany Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Weimar and Nazi Germany - Importance of Germany Deck (7)
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1
Q

Creation of Germany

A
  • Before 1871, Germany had been made up of separate states, the largest of which was Prussia
  • In 1871, these states defeated France in a short war and then Prussia united them to from a German Reich (Emprie)
  • This state soon dominated Europe with industrial and military power
  • It had vast anunts of natural resources and fertile land
2
Q

Germany’s overseas empire

A
  • Germany followed the rest of Europe in colonising the rest of the world
  • It started in 1880 and by world war one, it had African and Pacific territories
3
Q

The German rule

A
  • Had aking (Kaiser), chancellor and then the reichstag (parliament)
  • From the 1890s, only the Kaiser had power
  • He could appoint or dissolve the Reichstag or chancellor
  • From 1888, the Kaiser was Wilhelm II who had ambitious plans to build up the German army
4
Q

The German people

A
  • Very large divide, highly industrialised cities compared to rural farms in the mountains
  • North was more protestant and south was more catholic
  • Everyone had good jobs creating strong economic power
  • Very healthy and had good welfare
  • Young
5
Q

Background to Kaiser Wilhelm II

A
  • Bron in 1859 and had a cold relationship with his parents
  • Would not let his mother leave his palace as he expected her to steal his father’s will
  • Born with a withered arm but still put through vigorous military training
  • Obssessed with physical excersie
  • Took the throne from his father in 1888, when he died after a short reign
6
Q

Personal Qualities of Wilhelm

A
  • Intelligent
  • Wanted to make all the decisions without knowing the information beforehand
  • Charming and liked to put on a grand display
  • Quite rude
7
Q

How the Kaiser ran Germany

A
  • Felt that his grandfather gave too much power to the ministers
  • German constitution gave him great power and he intended to use it
  • Wilhelm argued with his first chancellor, Bismarck, and forced him to resign
  • He would then appoint ministers who would do him what he wanted