Weimar Germany

Question 1

How was the German Empire governed up to 1918?

Answer 1

In theory, Germany was a democracy. But only rich men could vote in elections to the Reichstag (parliament) and they tended to side with the Kaiser (emperor)

· In practice, Germany was a dictatorship - the Kaiser could do what he wanted

Question 2

What were the main causes of the November Revolution of 1918?

Answer 2

• growth of dissatisfaction with Germany’s army in the war
• army stopped suorting the kaiser
• 1.7 million German deaths in ww1

Question 3

Which group led the November Revolution and the creation of the Weimar Republic, and what did they hope to achieve?

Answer 3

the social Democratic Party led the revolution and hoped to turn Germany into a democratic republic

Question 4

summarise the terms of the TOV

Answer 4

loss of territory:
- had to give up all colonies and some land to other countries
- lost 13% of territory and 12% of its population to other countries

military restrictions:
- limits to size and power of German military
- airforce banned

reparations:
- forced to pay reparations to allies: 132 billion gold marks over 50 years

GERMANY WAS FORCED TO TAKE SOLE BLAME FOR WW1

Question 5

what is diktat?

Answer 5

diktat is dictated peace and means that the German govt had no say in the making of the treaty but had to complete because 1. allies continues to block their ports and 2. allies threatened to invade Germany

Question 6

what is the stab in the back myth?

Answer 6

German nationalists believed that Germany hadn’t really lose WW1. They believed that SDP and others (socialists) “stabbed them in the back” by signing the treaty and making peace with the allies

Question 7

define communism

Answer 7

Communism is a type of government as well as an economic system (a way of creating and sharing wealth). In a Communist system, individual people do not own land, factories, or machinery. Instead, the government or the whole community owns these things. Everyone is supposed to share the wealth that they create.

Question 8

what were the causes and outcomes of the Spartacist uprising?

Answer 8

cause:
communists believed that workers were being oppressed by business owners and govt and proposed a communist govt to solve this through protests

outcomes:
-ended in failure
-spartacist leaders shot and killed
-other communists involved shot/arrested

Question 9

define nationalism:

Answer 9

Nationalism is a strong feeling of loyalty and pride in one’s own country, often accompanied by the belief that it is superior to others

Question 10

Explain the causes and outcomes of the kapp putsch

Answer 10

Causes: Nationalists - opposition to the Weimar government. Outcome: Failed due to a general strike.

Question 11

Why did France occupy the Ruhr in 1923?

Answer 11

Germany failed to pay reparations, so France took goods as compensation.

Question 12

What were the impacts of the French occupation on Germany?

Answer 12

Economic disruption, increased resentment, and passive resistance.

Question 13

What caused hyperinflation in 1923?

Answer 13

The government printed more money to pay striking workers and reparations.

Question 14

What were the effects of hyperinflation on different Germans?

Answer 14

Savings lost value, middle class suffered, some debtors benefited.

Question 15

What were Stresemann’s main policies?

Answer 15

Ended passive resistance, stabilized currency (Rentenmark), secured the Dawes Plan (1924) and Young Plan (1929).

Question 16

What was the ‘Golden Age’ of the Weimar Republic?

Answer 16

A period of economic recovery, cultural flourishing, and greater political stability from 1924–1929.

Question 17

What was Adolf Hitler’s early life like?

Answer 17

Born in Austria, he moved to Germany, served in WWI, and joined the German Workers’ Party (DAP).

Question 18

What were the main reasons for the growth of the Nazi Party?

Answer 18

Economic hardship, resentment over the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler’s oratory skills, and propaganda.

Question 19

What is socialism?

Answer 19

Socialism, in its simplest form, is a system where the means of production (factories, land, etc.) are owned and controlled by the community or the state

Question 19

What is nationalism (in the context of Nazi ideology)?

Answer 19

Belief in promoting the interests and superiority of the German nation and people.

Question 20

What was the Sturmabteilung (SA)?

Answer 20

The Nazi Party’s paramilitary wing, also known as the Brownshirts, used to intimidate opponents.

Question 21

What were the causes of the Munich Putsch?

Answer 21

Anger at the Weimar government, inspiration from Mussolini’s March on Rome, and Nazi desire for power.

Question 22

What were the outcomes of the Munich Putsch?

Answer 22

It failed, Hitler was imprisoned, and the Nazi Party was temporarily banned.

Question 23

What were the main ideas in Mein Kampf?

Answer 23

Nationalism, anti-Semitism, lebensraum (living space), and anti-communism.

Question 24

What caused the Great Depression?

Answer 24

The 1929 Wall Street Crash and subsequent global economic collapse.

Question 25

What were the impacts of the Great Depression on Germans?

Answer 25

Massive unemployment, poverty, business failures, and social unrest.

Question 26

How did the Great Depression create a political crisis in Germany?

Answer 26

Weimar leaders failed to respond effectively, leading to extremism and loss of confidence in democracy.

Question 27

Why was Chancellor Brüning’s response to the Depression unpopular?

Answer 27

He cut spending and raised taxes, worsening economic conditions.

Question 28

How did the Nazi Party gain popularity in Reichstag elections from 1929–32?

Answer 28

Through effective propaganda, promises to revive Germany, and exploiting economic and political instability.

Question 29

How and why was Hitler appointed Chancellor in 1933?

Answer 29

Conservative elites underestimated him and believed they could control him; he was appointed legally by President Hindenburg.