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WORKBOOK ANSWERS
AQA GCSE (9–1) History Workbook
Germany 1890–1945: democracy and dictatorship
This Answers document provides suggestions for some of the possible answers that students could give for the questions asked in the Workbook. They are not exhaustive and other answers may be acceptable, but they are intended as a guide to give teachers and students feedback.
Topic 1
Germany and the growth of democracy
Kaiser Wilhelm and the difficulties of ruling Germany
1
|Ruling power |Problems/limitations |
|Kaiser Wilhelm II |Left-wing political parties were slowly gaining more support. They championed the rights |
| |of workers and wanted a reduction in the Kaiser’s power. |
| |Had to agree to every decision made by the Reichstag. |
|Chancellor |No major decision could be taken without the Kaiser’s approval. |
| |The Kaiser alone could appoint and dismiss the chancellor. |
|Reichstag |No major decision could be taken without the Kaiser’s approval. |
| |Unable to appoint the chancellor or state secretaries. |
2
|Prussia was the most important state |Prussian military leaders often |Prussia had two-thirds of the population |
|within Germany. |determined German foreign policy. |and over half of Germany’s territory. |
3 The Kaiser, the right wing, the wealthy
4 Support traditional values (R)
Nationalistic (R)
Support the rights of the worker (L)
Demand social reforms such as old age pensions (L)
Promote the rights of the landowners (R)
Mainly supported by industrial workers (L)
5 a Social Democrat Party (SPD)
b They wanted social reforms. They wanted to get rid of the authoritarian nature of German rule. They wanted more power for the working class.
6 Reasons why the Kaiser wanted a strong navy included:
to match/rival the British navy
to help make Germany a world power
to gain colonies/Weltpolitik
to build an empire in Africa and the Far East
to expand overseas trade
to defeat other powers in Europe
7
|Naval law |Year passed |Details |
|First Naval Law |1898 |Build an additional: |
| | |7 battleships in three years |
| | |2 new large cruisers |
| | |7 more light cruisers |
|Second Naval Law |1900 |Double the size of the naval fleet to 38 battleships |
| | |2 additional large cruisers |
| | |8 more small cruisers |
| | |Torpedo boats |
8 Here is an example paragraph with key words underlined:
Industrialisation in Germany had a huge impact. It was a rapid process that allowed Germany to become a world trading power by 1914. For example, in 1880 Germany was producing only half the amount of steel that Britain was. By 1914 it was producing twice as much. This led to Germany increasing industrial exports. The population of Germany also grew rapidly between 1871 and 1914. Industrialisation and a growing population led to a growth of cities.
Exam-style questions
9 Sample answer:
One of the biggest problems facing the growth of parliamentary government before 1914 was the extensive powers of the Kaiser. The Kaiser held the final say in all aspects of government. He appointed the chancellor and could dismiss him at any time without the consent of the Reichstag. Decisions in the Reichstag could not be made without the Kaiser’s consent.
Another problem facing the growth of parliamentary government before 1914 was the weakness of political parties in Germany. Political parties on the left and right were emerging but never gained a majority or even a near majority.
10 Sample answer (showing three ways — remember the question asks for a minimum of two):
The first way in which Kaiser Wilhelm II affected domestic policy between 1871 and 1914 was his ambition to make Germany an international great power. He established a large shipbuilding programme to allow Germany to increase its number of colonies and improve overseas trade. Between 1898 and 1914 he passed five naval laws. All were designed to expand the German navy. The First Naval Law, 1898, increased the number of battleships but not to the same quantity as the British. The Second Naval Law was designed to rival the British navy and led to the Anglo-German naval arms race.
A second way in which Kaiser Wilhelm II affected domestic policy was through his dominance of the Reichstag. He held complete power and was able to appoint and dismiss the chancellor and ministers without asking anyone else. All members of the Reichstag were answerable to him. This meant only laws he wanted were passed.
A third way in which Kaiser Wilhelm II affected domestic policy was through the support he gained from the traditional ruling class. The wealthy were happy with the Kaiser’s power and supported him and the right-wing political parties that also supported him.
11 Sample answer:
The German government passed five naval laws between 1898 and 1914. The most important reason for the passing of these laws was to help Kaiser Wilhelm II achieve his goal of building an empire.
Building an empire was one of Kaiser Wilhelm II’s greatest desires. He wanted to make Germany a strong and internationally powerful nation. Germany’s empire in 1898 was small compared to those of Britain and France. The Kaiser believed a strong navy would help him build a bigger empire. He also wanted an empire to trade within to make Germany economically strong.
While the Kaiser’s desire to build an empire was the most important reason, it was not the only one. When the Second Naval Law was passed in 1900, it doubled the size of the German naval fleet. The massive growth of the navy clearly showed that Germany was rivalling the British navy. It showed that the Germans planned to use their navy for more than trade and keeping their coastlines safe. Soon after the Second Naval Law was passed, the Anglo-German naval arms race started.
To conclude, there were many reasons for the passing of domestic naval laws in Germany from 1898. Yet one common reason they came to exist was the Kaiser. He was in control of the government and decided what laws would be passed. His main desire was to build an empire and make Germany a leading international power. However, to achieve this he needed to rival Britain.
Impact of the First World War
12
|Key word |Explanation |
|Abdication |Giving up the throne |
|War guilt |Clause 231 of the Treaty of Versailles which blamed Germany and her allies for the First|
| |World War |
|Kaiser |Emperor of Germany |
|Hyperinflation |Prices of goods increase rapidly as inflation accelerates and goes out of control |
|Diktat |Term used in Germany to describe the Treaty of Versailles |
|Disarmament |Getting rid of military weapons and forces |
|Reparation |Payment of money for the cost of the First World War |
|Republic |Country with no hereditary leader. The people and elected representatives hold power |
|Armistice | End of fighting in a war to allow peace talks to start |
|Democracy |The population votes for its government in regular elections |
|Economic depression |Problems in the economy that lead to lower living standards |
13 Sample paragraph with key words underlined:
Defeat in the First World War had a great impact on Germany. It left the country suffering from war weariness along with many economic, political and social problems. Economically Germany was in a very bad situation. Industrial production was low and many people were left depending on the state. Politically Germany was in chaos. Socialists led an uprising leading to the abdication of the Kaiser on 9 November 1918. Society also faced many problems. Social divisions had grown during the war, for example the gap between the rich and the poor. This caused anger and resentment.
14
|Statement |True |False |
|The Kaiser was unwilling to abdicate. He was forced to leave. |√ | |
|The Kaiser was on the battlefield in France leading his soldiers when he abdicated. | |√ |
|German sailors, soldiers and workers’ councils had full faith in the Kaiser and were | |√ |
|willing to support and protect him when he abdicated. | | |
|Politicians and military leaders encouraged the Kaiser to abdicate. |√ | |
|The Kaiser abdicated on 9 November 1918. |√ | |
15 There are many different facts you could include. Here are a few examples. You need two for each sector:
|Sector |Impact of the Treaty of Versailles |
|Military |Army limited to 100,000 men |
| |Conscription banned |
|Land |Alsace-Lorraine returned to France |
| |Saar land controlled by the League of Nations for 15 years |
| |Polish Corridor given to Poland |
| |Danzig became a free city |
| |Eupen and Malmedy given to Belgium |
| |10% of land lost |
| |All overseas colonies lost |
|Population |12.5% of the population lost |
| |People were angry and bitter, and blamed Germany’s leaders |
|Industry |16% of coalfields lost |
| |Nearly 50% of iron and steel industry lost |
| |Lost industrial areas — Saar and Upper Silesia |
|Alliances |Banned from alliance with Austria-Hungary (Anschluss) |
| |Not allowed to enter the League of Nations |
16 a
[pic]
b Here are some examples of strengths and weaknesses of the constitution:
|Strengths |Weaknesses |
|All Germans can vote |Proportional representation prevented one political party |
| |gaining a majority. Governments had to be coalitions, meaning a|
| |strong government was impossible. |
|Strong president |The president had a lot of power. He could become a dictator |
| |using the power of Article 48. |
|Proportional representation – political parties have |Germany had no experience of this system or of democracy. |
|seats in proportion to their share of the vote | |
|German people elect the Reichstag |Influential Germans did not want the change. |
|More democratic than before 1914 | |
17
|Events |Chronological order |
|Germany paid the first reparations instalment in 1921. |1 |
|French and Belgian troops entered the Ruhr. |4 |
|The Germans told the French government they were unable to meet reparations payments. The |3 |
|French did not believe them. | |
|The French took raw materials and goods as a substitute for the failed reparations payment.|5 |
|The German currency collapsed. |9 |
|The French government sent in its own workers to the Ruhr. |8 |
|Germany failed to pay the second reparations repayment in 1922. |2 |
|Violence broke out. German police officers and workers were arrested. |6 |
|The German government ordered workers in the Ruhr to offer passive resistance. |7 |
18
|Sectors of society |Impact: good/bad|Explanation |
|Very wealthy landowners |good |They were protected as land was a possession. Also, they often held |
| | |money in foreign currencies and had other possessions. |
|Middle class with savings |bad |Money was devalued and savings became worthless. For example, |
| | |savings to buy a house in 1921 would only buy a loaf of bread in |
| | |1923. Many lost their businesses. |
|Farmers |good |Their produce increased in price. They owned items they could barter|
| | |with. |
|Pensioners |bad |Fixed earnings and savings were worthless. They were unable to |
| | |negotiate a rise in their income. |
|Poor with debts |good |The debt remained a fixed price which made it easy to pay off. |
19 Here are a few examples. You only need two for each point:
Domestic politics:
• Government faced a number of plots leading up to 1923, including Munich Putsch in 1923.
• Violent extremism was increasing in Weimar.
• Extreme left- and right-wing parties were emerging.
Foreign relations:
• Very poor. Failure to meet reparations repayment in 1922 led to the occupation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium. This made relations even worse.
• Germany had no major trading partners.
• Not allowed to join League of Nations.
20 a No set answer — your judgement
20 b No set answer, but here is an example of a possible response:
Top card: vii (Reparation repayments imposed by the Treaty of Versailles) severely weakened the Weimar Republic during its early years. The reparation bill was extremely high and the Republic did not have a way to repay it. The Treaty of Versailles had taken away a lot of Germany’s industrial areas leaving it economically very weak.
Bottom card: iii (The Armistice) weakened the Weimar Republic but not as much as other factors. Germany was defeated and agreeing peace was the only option possible. The Armistice made the German people angry, but it was later events which weakened the Weimar Republic.
Exam-style questions
21 Sample answer:
Interpretation B differs from Interpretation A about the impact of hyperinflation on the people of Germany in 1923 because Interpretation A refers to those who profited from hyperinflation. White explains how some individuals were able to pay off debts or barter with their skills. In contrast, Interpretation B only refers to the negative impact of hyperinflation through the quickly rising cost of ‘bread rolls’.
22 Sample answer:
The authors of Interpretations A and B have different views on the impact of hyperinflation on the people of Germany in 1923 because they are written from different perspectives. Interpretation B is the account of a man who was a schoolboy at the time. Nagerl therefore focuses on his personal experience and memory: ‘We were out playing football…’. That would have been his primary experience as a child. In contrast, the author of Interpretation A covers the wider population’s experiences. His purpose was to inform others about the situation, highlighting that everyone’s experience was different: ‘The impact of hyperinflation within Germany was uneven’. White is dismissing the common mistake that everyone suffered as a result of hyperinflation.
23 Sample answer:
Interpretation B is convincing about the impact of hyperinflation on the people of Germany in 1923 as the quick rise in prices is widely documented. The recollection of the price of bread increasing to 400,000 marks is recalled in many memoirs of the period of hyperinflation. Those on fixed incomes such as pensions were very hard hit because while prices increased, their benefits and savings did not rise.
However, Interpretation A is more convincing as it informs the reader about the ‘uneven’ impact of hyperinflation. It does not reflect on one single experience but the wider population. It acknowledges that some people ‘profited’ from it. Those with possessions were protected, as items could be bartered. Those with debts could easily pay them off as the debt remained the same price and could be paid back quickly.
Weimar democracy: political change and unrest
24 a
|Unrest |Date |Details |Outcome |
|Spartacists |January 1919 |Left-wing Spartacists led a strike by |Failed. Spartacists were unprepared and |
| | |50,000 workers in Berlin, taking |many supporters gave up the strike. |
| | |control of the government’s newspaper |The government had moved to Weimar to |
| | |and telegraph headquarters. |avoid violent clashes, so were not |
| | | |harmed. The Freikorps supported the |
| | | |government and ended the uprising, using|
| | | |violence. |
|Kapp Putsch |March 1920 |The right-wing extremist Freikorps led|Ebert appealed to the working class to |
| | |by Wolfgang Kapp marched into Berlin |help the government. They supported |
| | |and declared a new national |Ebert through a general strike. All |
| | |government. They faced no resistance |public services stopped. The Putsch |
| | |from the army. Ebert’s official |ended. |
| | |government fled to Dresden. | |
|Munich Putsch |November 1923 |National Socialist Party (Nazi Party) |Defeated by the police and the army. |
| | |attempted a revolution. | |
| | |Hitler took over a local government | |
| | |meeting in Munich and announced he was| |
| | |taking control of the government of | |
| | |Bavaria. With the support of | |
| | |Ludendorff, Nazis started to take over| |
| | |official buildings. The following day | |
| | |Weimar forces fought back. | |
24 b
Spartacists: the immediate threat from the Spartacists was minor, as their support was limited. In the longer term, the Weimar government lost the support of the left, who never forgave them for using the right-wing Freikorps against them.
Kapp Putsch: the threat was moderate: the army’s failure to support the government made it clear that the government was in a weak position. Without the support of the workers Ebert’s government would have been defeated.
Munich Putsch: the threat was minor, as the Putsch was easily defeated. The general population did not support the Putsch. However, it showed the continuing vulnerability of Weimar in 1923. Hitler received only a very light prison sentence, demonstrating the traditional ruling classes’ support.
25
|Aspect of recovery |Details |How it helped Weimar to recover |Chronological order |
|Entry to the League |1926: Germany allowed to join the |Showed Germany’s power was being |4 |
|of Nations |League of Nations and awarded a |recognised internationally. | |
| |permanent seat along with Britain and |Allowed re-entry to international| |
| |France. |politics. | |
| |Led to an improvement in trading. | | |
|Dawes Plan |1924: USA loaned Weimar 800 million |Weimar government had money to |2 |
| |marks. |invest in industry and in turn | |
| |Agreed that reparation repayments could|create jobs. | |
| |be spread over a longer period. | | |
|Introduction of the |Introduced in October 1923 to end |It started the process of |1 |
|Rentenmark |hyperinflation. |stabilising Germany’s currency. | |
|Young Plan |1929. Altered reparations. It reduced |Reduced German debt and improved |5 |
| |the final amount and restructured |its ability to meet reparation | |
| |repayments on a sliding scale. |repayment instalments. | |
|Locarno Treaty |1925. Guaranteed Germany’s frontiers |Improved international relations.|3 |
| |with France and Belgium. |Started to build trust in Western| |
| | |Europe. | |
26 a
|Sector |Financial situation 1924–early 1929 |Improvement or decline?|
|Steel industry |Germany’s industrial production increased. The steel industry, along |Improvement |
| |with the chemical industry, made up nearly half of all industrial | |
| |output. By 1928 levels of production had returned to pre-war levels. | |
|Large landowners |Value of land rose. For example, land values in Berlin rose over 700%. |Improvement |
|Industrial workers |Unions were allowed under Weimar governments. Increasing production led |Improvement |
| |to increased pay. | |
|Farmers |Farmers had greatly benefited during the First World War as imports |Decline |
| |reduced. However, after the war they were overproducing. | |
|Small business |The opening of large department stores threatened many small businesses.|Decline |
|owners | | |
26 b No set answer — your judgement
27 Here are a few examples. You only need two for each point:
Cinema
• International stars emerged, including Marlene Dietrich.
• Huge popularity of cinema going.
• Celebrated directors included Fritz Lang.
Paintings
• Vast change towards a style that showed the harsh realities of life.
• Critical political paintings were created.
• Famous artists emerged, including Otto Dix.
Architecture
• Moved away from traditional design.
• New approach to design called Bauhaus, which combined art and technology.
• New designs for buildings from houses to art galleries.
Cabaret
• Berlin became famous for its nightlife.
• There were nearly 1,000 dance bands in Berlin alone.
• Cabaret bands openly criticised politicians, which would not previously have been allowed.
• Songs about sex emerged.
28 a
There were no attempted political coups from 1925.
Weimar’s economic recovery was based on loans from America that could be recalled at any time.
In 1928 moderate parties had 136 more seats in the Reichstag than radical parties.
By 1928 Germany’s level of production was the same as in 1913, before the start of the First World War.
Unemployment was rising in 1928. It was 6% in 1928.
28 b Here are a few examples. You only need two for each point:
|Weimar Republic recovering by 1929 |Weimar Republic was doomed by 1929 |
|The standard of living for workers in large cities was |Small businesses and farmers were suffering and |
|improving. Improvements in pay and conditions were having a|blamed the Weimar government. |
|positive impact. |There was open criticism of the government in the |
|Germany’s international reputation was improving. Germany |arts. |
|had entered the League of Nations and agreed its western | |
|borders. | |
|The new Reichmark was set against the gold standard. This | |
|made it stable and provided international confidence. | |
|Reparation repayments were being met. | |
Exam-style questions
29 Sample answer:
One of the most significant problems for the Weimar government between 1919 and 1923 was hyperinflation. It was caused by the invasion of the Ruhr by France and Belgium following Germany’s missed reparation repayment in 1922. Hyperinflation caused significant economic and political damage. Economically Weimar was placed under great strain with high levels of unemployment, business closures and hardship. Politically it highlighted the weakness of the Weimar government and gave opposition groups another reason to attack the state.
Another serious problem facing Ebert between 1919 and 1923 were political challenges from the left and right. There were three attempted uprisings, starting with the Spartacists in 1919. Ebert’s violent reaction to the Spartacists ended any hope of a positive relationship with the left when the right turned against the Weimar government. The Kapp Putsch showed the army’s lack of support for the state, a major problem when trying to maintain stability.
30 Sample answer:
The lives of people in Germany changed during Weimar’s ‘golden years’, from 1924 to 1929. Most people experienced success and became richer. However, the experience varied depending on people’s wealth and jobs. For example, farmers suffered while big business owners and the middle class grew richer.
Many businesses benefited from a stable and growing economy. Through the Dawes Plan in 1924, Germany was lent 800 million marks by the USA. This was invested in industry, allowing business owners to expand their businesses and make greater profits. By 1928 industrial output in Weimar had returned to pre-First World War levels. In contrast farmers lost out during the ‘golden years’. Their incomes fell and by 1929 many were earning half of the national average, as a result of over-production. During the First World War German farmers had had no competition and controlled the markets. In the late 1920s they were faced with imports from other countries.
Lives also changed as time and opportunities for leisure increased. In the cities new venues for entertainment opened, including many cinemas. Cinema was booming, with many influential films being made in Germany. Nightlife also grew in popularity. Jazz bands played in cabaret bars and daring shows opened in Berlin.
31 Use the following plan to write a detailed response to the question:
Introduction
• Briefly, in two or three lines, describe the Weimar recovery.
• Make your judgement clear: what was the more important factor?
Main point 1: Loans from USA
• Describe the loans given to Weimar through the Dawes Plan and Young Plan:
o amount given
o reparations repayments over a longer period of time
• Explain how they helped Weimar recover between 1924 and 1929, including:
o specific details, e.g. investment in industry, replacement of old technology, creation of jobs
o impact of economic investment by 1927
• Link to your judgement: was this the more important factor? Why?
Main point 2: International treaties
• Outline two treaties:
o Locarno Treaty, Western borders
o entry into the League of Nations, 1926; permanent seat, international acceptance
• Explain how they helped Weimar recover between 1924 and 1929:
o international acceptance
o improvements in trading
o status as a leading power, with a seat in the League of Nations alongside Britain and France
• Link to your judgement: was this more important? Why?
Conclusion
• Re-state your judgement, highlighting key pieces of evidence for your decision.
Topic 2
Germany and the Depression
The impact of the Depression
1 a
|Impact of the Depression on Germany |True |False |
|Unemployment rose to 13 million. | |√ |
|Germany experienced hyperinflation in the year 1931. | |√ |
|All sectors of German society were affected by the Depression. |√ | |
|Reparation repayments were still demanded by Allies, putting Germany under more economic|√ | |
|pressure. | | |
|The German chancellor increased taxes, cut wages and reduced unemployment benefit. |√ | |
|The USA continued to loan Germany money during the Depression. | |√ |
1 b Unemployment rose to 6 million.
Germany did not experience hyperinflation in 1931; it was a deep economic depression.
America demanded back its loans made under the Dawes and Young plans.
2
|Sector of society |Impact of the Depression |
|Business owners |Many businesses closed as people could not afford to buy their products. Those that did |
| |not close experienced a fall in profit. |
|Young people |Were unable to secure jobs. Over half of all 16–30-year-olds were unemployed. |
|Farmers |Suffered greatly and accumulated more debt. They had been suffering since the mid-1920s. |
|Industrial workers |Over 40% lost their jobs. This was made harder as the government cut unemployment benefit.|
3 a
|Factor |How it helped attract more support for the Nazi Party |
|i Distrust of Weimar |Brüning, fearful of hyperinflation, increased taxes and reduced benefits as measures to |
|politicians and Heinrich |bring Germany out of depression. This gained little support from the German people, who |
|Brüning’s economic policy |were suffering greatly. Many had lost their jobs and depended on benefits. The Nazi Party |
| |used these policies against the Weimar government to highlight their failure and |
| |incompetence. |
|ii Wall Street Crash |People sought a party that offered hope following the Wall Street Crash. The crash led to |
| |an economic depression and also the removal of American loans, which were vital to |
| |Weimar’s stability. The Nazi Party offered strong rule, more employment and profits for |
| |businesses. |
|iii Communist threat |Many were fearful of communism. During a time when many turned to extremist parties, the |
| |Nazis used this fear to gain more votes. They spoke against the extreme left and the SA |
| |used violence against those who opposed the Nazis. |
|iv The appeal of Adolf Hitler|He was a great speaker and attracted many people through his powerful campaigning. He |
| |presented himself as a man of the people who understood their problems and was strong |
| |enough to fix them. |
| |He travelled by plane and visited many places, allowing the maximum number of people to |
| |hear and see him. No member of the opposition could match his ability. |
|v Restrictions imposed by the|Many Germans resented the Treaty of Versailles and the leaders of Weimar for signing it. |
|Treaty of Versailles |The losses of Germany’s military strength and the imposed reparations were hated. The Nazi|
| |Party spoke out against the treaty and promised to overturn it. |
|vi The SA |People saw them as providing order and security during a time of chaos. They targeted the |
| |Communists. |
|vii Nazi propaganda |It promised people what they wanted through generalised statements. |
| |It offered hope to different sectors of society regarding jobs and economic prosperity. |
| |It used modern methods of propaganda including rallies, posters and radio, reaching many |
| |more people. |
|viii Unemployment |Unemployment was high, reaching 6 million by the end of 1932, and many blamed Weimar |
| |politicians. They looked for a party that offered jobs. |
|ix Nazi 25-point programme |It gave people hope and showed that the Nazis had a clear plan on how they would lead |
| |Germany and restore her power. |
3 b No set answer — your judgement
3 c No set answer — your judgement
4 a It nearly doubled between 1928–1932.
b It increased at a higher rate than the Communist vote. It also increased as unemployment rose.
c The number of Nazi seats declined.
d The Great Depression and rising unemployment.
5
• Protected Nazi rallies and disrupted opponents’ political meetings (SA)
• Members known as Brownshirts (SA)
• Led by Heinrich Himmler (SS)
• Swore total loyalty to Hitler (SS)
• Led by Ernst Röhm (SA)
• After 1934 were the main instrument of terror in Nazi Germany (SS)
• Lacked discipline (SA)
• Members known as Blackshirts (SS)
Exam-style questions
6 Points of difference:
Interpretation A focuses on the Great Depression and its impact on Germany.
Interpretation B focuses on Hitler’s personal appeal and powerful speech.
7 Sample answer:
Interpretation B was written by Albert Speer. He supported Hitler and during the 1930s became a minister within the Nazi Party. However, when he wrote the interpretation he was in prison for war crimes. He was trying to highlight the ‘wave of enthusiasm’ to show himself as a victim of Hitler’s charms, in common with many other people. Writing his version of events, he was trying to distance himself and limit his own responsibility.
In contrast, Interpretation A is a reflective account written by a historian. He does not have a personal link to the Nazi Party, unlike Speer. His reason for writing is to express his historical findings. They are retrospective and consider the economic impact of the Depression. Nevertheless, he supports Speer’s point that Hitler was able to appeal to individuals based on their personal circumstances.
8 Sample planned response:
Judgement: Interpretation A is more convincing — it considers the impact of the economic situation combined with the appeal of Hitler.
Interpretation A. Convincing:
• Depression — high levels of unemployment link with votes for extremist parties. Nazi Party’s share of votes dramatically increases following the economic depression. In the November 1932 Reichstag election Nazi support starts to decline, although Nazi Party remains the biggest.
• Appeal to whole nation — propaganda campaign. Different messages for different areas of Germany and sectors of the population. The unemployed were promised jobs, businesses were promised trade and profits, and farmers were promised fixed prices. People who voted for Hitler were from a cross-section of society, except those on the left.
• Identifies the need for a crisis to make Hitler and the Nazi Party appealing.
Interpretation B. Convincing:
• Personal appeal of Hitler/‘wave of enthusiasm’ — Hitler’s powerful speeches, use of technology.
Limited:
• Author — Albert Speer was minister for armaments 1942–45. Trying to remove himself from the situation and reduce his personal guilt.
The failure of Weimar democracy
9
|Description |Election date |
|The Nazis continued to be the largest party. Nevertheless, it was a bad election for |November 1932 |
|them as they lost 34 seats. | |
|Hitler gained the most votes in the Reichstag and therefore the largest number of |July 1932 |
|seats, 288. This was not enough for a majority and he had to join with the smaller | |
|Nationalist Party, which had 52 seats. | |
|The Nazi Party won 230 seats. Hitler demanded to be appointed chancellor. |March 1933 |
10 You only need to add one further fact, but two more have been given here for each individual as there are a number of possible answers:
|Key individual |Facts |
|a President Hindenburg |His main advisers were rich conservative industrialists |
| |Ex-military leader who disliked Hitler |
|b Heinrich Brüning |Unpopular chancellor |
| |Failed to gain the support of the Reichstag |
| |Sacked by Hindenburg following his harsh economic policies during the Depression|
|c General von Schleicher |Distrusted Hitler |
| |Supported a central coalition |
| |Failed to gain a Reichstag majority |
|d Franz von Papen |Rich Catholic |
| |Unpopular chancellor |
| |Believed appointing Hitler chancellor but limiting Nazis in the cabinet was the |
| |best way to control Hitler and avoid a revolt |
11
|Event |Chronological order |
|November 1932: |3 |
|Nazis are the largest single party but their share of the vote has fallen. | |
|Hindenburg refuses to appoint Hitler as chancellor. | |
|Hitler is appointed chancellor on 30 January 1933. |7 |
|Reichstag election, July 1932: |1 |
|Nazi Party voted the largest single party but failed to secure a majority. | |
|Hitler demands to be chancellor. President Hindenburg refuses and von Papen remains | |
|chancellor. | |
|Kurt von Schleicher is appointed chancellor. |4 |
|Von Papen has little support in the Reichstag. |2 |
|Hindenburg and von Papen meet in secret with industrialists, army leaders and politicians. |6 |
|Von Schleicher is forced to resign as chancellor. |5 |
12
|Sector of society |How Hitler and the Nazi Party appealed to them |
|Rich large business owners |Promised to remove trade unions and to invest in the German economy, creating more |
| |business. |
|Middle class |Promised to improve profits in business and offered protection against competition. |
| |Appeared capable of dealing with the Communist threat. |
| |Promised to build a strong Germany. |
|Working class |Offered jobs and promised to build a strong Germany. |
13 a, b There are many ideas you could include. Not all are listed here, but you can use the list below as a guide.
i propaganda
ii organisation
iii SA
iv flexible campaign to appeal to most groups/every region
v weak opposition
vi the Depression
vii fear of communism
viii Hitler’s skill as an excellent public speaker
ix Brüning’s economic policy
x high level of unemployment
13 c No set answer — your judgement
13 d No set answer — your judgement
Exam-style questions
14 Sample answer:
The Weimar Republic faced major economic problems between 1930 and 1932. During this period Germany was in deep economic depression following the Wall Street Crash. One major problem was high levels of unemployment, rising to 6 million by 1932. This led to extreme poverty which affected many sectors of society.
A second problem was a lack of government money. Due to America recalling loans and high levels of unemployment, the chancellor was forced to cut benefits and increase taxation. His actions resulted in a great loss of confidence in the Weimar government.
15 Sample answer:
All German people’s lives were affected by the Great Depression. However, it affected different people in different ways. Some suffered more seriously than others, depending on their job and financial position before the Depression started.
Young people suffered greatly as a consequence of the Great Depression. Over 60% of university graduates were unable to get a job. Those who did often found employment in poorly paid roles. By 1933 over half of 16–30-year-olds were unemployed. This was significant as their families were unable to support them and there was little sign in 1933 of improvement.
Another group which was greatly affected as a consequence of the Great Depression was the working class, especially factory workers. Over 40% lost their jobs in 1932. Their situation was made worse when the chancellor cut unemployment funds and removed benefits. Those who were unemployed faced extreme poverty. They lost their homes and relied on soup kitchens. Some even moved into camps for the homeless.
Business owners were also affected by the Great Depression. Some had to close their businesses. However, some businesses survived. Their profits were reduced, but their owners’ situation was much better than that of industrial workers.
16 Sample answer:
There are many reasons why Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany in 1933. The weak political and economic situation played an important role in allowing the Nazi Party to appear a strong reliable force able to lead Germany out of depression.
The Weimar Republic was politically weak in the early 1930s. It had become very weak following the Wall Street Crash and the economic depression that followed. The policies the government introduced to try to help Germany recover caused resentment. The chancellor, frightened that hyperinflation would recur, raised taxes, cut wages and reduced support for the unemployed. This made the government appear out of touch with the people and unfit for purpose. The president was forced to sack the chancellor. The following two chancellors, von Schleicher and von Papen, did not have the support of the Reichstag. They also battled each other for power. Their power struggle led to Hindenburg handing power to Hitler as he was the only alternative. The weakness of Weimar politics was important and led to the appointment of Hitler. However, if the Nazi Party had not been a strong political force, Hitler would not have been in a position to become chancellor.
The Nazi Party’s strengths were the main reason for Hitler being appointed chancellor of Germany in 1933. The Nazi Party had grown quickly in the early 1930s. It had developed into a well organised party that worked as a team. It had developed an effective propaganda programme. This allowed it to target all voters by creating slogans that appealed to the majority of them. Slogans promised jobs to the unemployed, profits to business leaders and removal of the Communist threat to the middle classes. These promises enabled the party to become the biggest in the Reichstag. Hitler was an excellent speaker and the party used this to attract voters. He told the voters with passion what they wanted to hear. He presented himself as a man of the people and won many votes by doing this.
To conclude, both factors were important because if the Weimar government had been strong, the Nazi Party would not have gained so many votes in the election. Nevertheless, the strengths of the Nazis in the campaign allowed them to grow and attract voters across different classes. It is for this reason that the Nazi Party’s strengths are ranked a little higher than Weimar’s weaknesses.
The establishment of Hitler’s dictatorship
17 a 27 February 1933
b the Communist Party
c Marinus van der Lubbe
d President Hindenburg
e the Communists
18 a, b
• The night after the fire Göring’s police arrested and imprisoned 4,000 Communist leaders. (Change to: night of)
• Hitler declared that members of the German National People’s Party posed a danger to Germany. (Change to: Communist Party)
• On 25 March Hitler persuaded President Hindenburg to pass an emergency decree. (Change to: 28 February)
• Hindenburg used Article 46 to pass the emergency decree. (Change to: 48)
• The emergency decree guaranteed all personal liberties and freedoms of press, assembly and speech. (Change to: limited)
• Himmler’s police used the decree to ban meetings, close newspapers and remove the opposition. (Change to: Göring’s)
• Göring’s police seized all state newspapers. (Change to: radio)
• The emergency decree lasted 12 months, until Hitler became Führer. (Change to: 12 years, until Hitler’s rule ended)
19 a, b, c
|Date |Action |How this helped the Nazi Party gain control |
|30 January |Hitler appointed chancellor |Lead position in the Reichstag, able to |
| | |appoint Nazis into the cabinet. |
|27 February |Reichstag fire |Allowed them to target the Communist |
| | |opposition and request the emergency decree. |
|28 February |Emergency decree suspending all articles in the |Gave the Nazis greater control over Germany |
| |constitution that guaranteed personal liberty, |and power against opposition parties. |
| |freedom of speech, freedom of press and freedom | |
| |of assembly | |
|5 March |Reichstag election |Largest share of the votes enabled the Nazis |
| | |to demand more power. They joined with |
| | |Nationalist Party to secure a majority, which |
| | |they used to destroy the constitution of |
| | |Weimar. |
|13 March |Goebbels took control of German media |Allowed them to eliminate the voice of the |
| | |opposition. |
|24 March |Enabling Act |Allowed them to make laws without the consent |
| | |of the Reichstag. |
|April |Civil service, law courts and education purged |Removal of opposition. |
| |of Nazi opposition | |
|2 May |Trade unions banned |Removal of opposition. |
|14 July |Law Against Formation of New Parties |Prevented new forms of opposition being |
| | |created. |
|20 July |Concordat with the Catholic Church |Removed potential opposition. |
20 a Reasons for the purge
• The SA was increasingly out of control at a time when Hitler was trying to establish a dictatorship through legal methods.
• Leading Nazis were concerned about Röhm’s growing influence and power within the Nazi Party.
• In the summer of 1934 the number of men in the SA had reached nearly 2 million. They were under the leadership of Röhm.
• Himmler wanted to replace the SA with his own SS.
• The regular army was worried Röhm would take it over and merge it with the SA. Röhm had stated that this was his intention.
• Hitler believed Röhm was a threat.
Events of the Night of the Long Knives
• During the weekend of 29–30 June 1934 leaders of the SS arrested leaders of the SA and other possible opponents of Hitler. This included Von Schleicher.
• The official number killed during the purge is 76, but historians estimate it to be much higher.
Impact of the Night of the Long Knives
• Hitler removed potential opponents.
• The SA’s numbers and influence were heavily reduced.
• After Hindenburg died in August 1934, the army leaders swore an oath of allegiance to Hitler, giving him their unconditional obedience.
20 b Use 20a as a guide.
21 a 2 August 1934
b Führer
c Required the whole army to swear an oath of loyalty to him. Took the title of Führer, supreme leader.
22 Match key words to correct definitions:
|Key word |Definition |
|Article 48 |an article of the constitution of the Weimar Republic of Germany which allowed the president, |
| |under certain circumstances, to take emergency measures without the prior consent of the |
| |Reichstag |
|Chancellor |head of government |
|Concordat |an agreement or treaty between the Pope and a government, relating to matters of mutual interest |
|Depression |period of financial problems that affects living standards |
|Dictatorship |a government where one person or a small number of people make all the decisions |
|Führer |a German word meaning leader |
|Oath |a binding promise or appeal to a god or to some revered person or thing |
|Opponents |a person or group who disagree with or resist a proposal or practice |
|President |head of state |
|Reichstag |parliament |
|SA |Stormtroopers, also known as the Brownshirts |
|SS |protection squad of the Nazi Party, also known as the Blackshirts |
23 a No set answer — your judgement
23 b No set answer — your judgement
Exam-style questions
24 Sample answer:
Interpretation B differs from Interpretation A in its account of the Night of the Long Knives. Interpretation B recalls Hitler being the leader of the event and targeting Röhm, the leader of the SA. ‘Hitler entered Röhm’s bedroom alone …’. This implies that Hitler not only led events but targeted Röhm specifically. In contrast, Interpretation A implies that Himmler was the organiser: ‘By that I mean Himmler.’ Interpretation A also states that the Night of the Long Knives was ‘egged on’ by pitching the German army and SA against each other. Hitler’s role is not mentioned.
25 Points to consider:
Interpretation A is an account by Edward von Kleist of the German army. Von Kleist was:
• loyal to the army
• distancing himself from the situation after the Second World War
• portraying the German army and the SA as victims of Hitler and Nazism.
Interpretation B is an account by Erich Kempka, a member of the SS who served as Hitler’s chauffeur.
• Written in 1946, very close to the defeat of the Nazis.
• Kempka was distancing himself from Hitler. The phrase ‘spat out the words’ puts Hitler in a negative light, emphasises his cruel features.
• Kempka was an eyewitness to key events.
26 Sample answer:
Interpretation A is quite convincing because it refers to the ‘impression that we — Army and SA — are being egged on against each other by a third party’. Hitler and his very close supporters wanted to remove any internal threat to the leader’s position from the SA and army. Hitler felt threatened by Röhm’s loyal SA men who were a violent and large faction within the party. By creating hostility between the army and SA, he reduced the opportunity for them to band together against him.
However, Interpretation B is more convincing than Interpretation A. Kempka describes the lead role Hitler played in the Night of the Long Knives. He points to Hitler personally putting Röhm under arrest, saying to him ‘Röhm, you are under arrest’. It is widely accepted that Hitler feared that Röhm’s support and power were growing and that he could possibly overthrow Hitler as the leader of the Nazi Party. Hitler took action to prevent any internal opposition. Hitler was personally thanked by Hindenburg for his help with the matter. However, the interpretation misses out key information about other arrests and loss of life at the scene.
Topic 3
The experiences of Germans under the Nazis
Economic changes
1 High unemployment, international depression, crisis in farming
2 Match key word to explanation:
|Key word / individual |Explanation |
|Public works projects |infrastructure projects, such as the building of schools, organised and financed by |
| |the government to create employment |
|Autobahn |motorway |
|Dr Hjalmar Schacht |minister of the economy |
|Government finance |money provided by the government to fund something |
|Dr Robert Ley |headed the German Labour Front |
|German Labour Front |DAF: managed discipline, wages and working hours |
|Rearmament |building new stocks of weapons |
|Volkswagen |people’s car |
|Strength through joy |KdF: provide workers with leisure opportunities |
|Hermann Göring |senior politician in the Nazi Party, later led the Luftwaffe |
|Self-sufficiency |needing no outside help to meet the needs of the people, especially with regard to |
| |the production of food; also known as autarky |
3 Here are three examples: building autobahns; extending the railway network; house building.
4 a In 1935 conscription was reintroduced in Germany. It was to allow the Nazi Party to rebuild the army and Germany’s military strength. It had been banned by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1914. In 1938 the Four-Year Plan was launched. Led by Göring, it was to get Germany ready for war. It was designed to make sure Germany had good international relations. Hitler also wanted to create an excellent German air force, to be known as the RAF. Rearmament led to increased trade and business, as weapons and equipment for fighting were needed. This helped create more jobs and reduced unemployment. Although this was not a target of the Nazi Party, it pleased them. Jobs were created in department stores, butchers and coal mines. A key aim was to make Germany self-sufficient and war ready.
4 b the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.
In 1936 the Four-Year Plan was launched.
It was designed to make Germany self-sufficient and rebuild the economy.
to be known as the Luftwaffe
This was of one of the Nazi party’s main targets.
in the steel industry and textile mills
5
|Reich Labour Service (RAD) |True |False |
|Reich Labour Service Act passed July 1935 |√ | |
|Everybody aged 16–40 forced to join | |√ |
|Complete six months’ training |√ | |
|Wear military uniform |√ | |
|No wages |√ | |
|Live in own home | |√ |
|Perform physical exercise every day |√ | |
6 An example paragraph with key words underlined:
The German Labour Front (DAF) was established by the Nazi Party to replace trade unions, which they had banned in 1933. DAF gave the Nazis more control over workers as every worker was expected to be a member of DAF. DAF controlled many aspects of employment, including wages and working hours. DAF increased working hours and froze wages. Discipline was strict and strikes were banned.
7 Green highlighting = purpose, blue = activities:
keep workers happy
provide leisure activities
cheap cruise holidays
remove social barriers
control workers
sport activities
trips to the cinema
encourage people to support the Führer
8 a You only need to include one example, but a few example answers have been provided for you:
|Sector |Benefits |Drawback |
|Big business |Rearmament led to increased trade and profits |Government took control of wages and profits |
| |Removal of trade unions |Government decided which businesses would have|
| |German industry grew in size and profitability |access to valuable resources |
|Middle class |Removal of Communist threat |Large department stores dominated |
| |Business and profits from rearmament programme |Many smaller shops closed |
|Farmers |Reich Food Estate gave peasant farmers a set |Successful farmers could not expand their |
| |price for their goods |business |
| |Reich Entailed Farm Law gave state protection |Only the eldest could inherit the farm |
| |to farmers’ land | |
|Industrial workers |Higher levels of employment: jobs were created |Heavy state involvement |
| |through public works projects, for example the |Wages frozen |
| |building of autobahns |Working hours extended |
| |Improvement of working conditions in factories |Trade unions banned |
| |through the Beauty of Labour programme | |
8 b No set answer — your judgement
8 c No set answer — your judgement
9 The German people were not enthusiastic for war. They still had memories of defeat and hardship following Germany’s defeat in the First World War. The population accepted it and were encouraged to support it through Nazi propaganda.
10 Match items rationed in Germany during the Second World War to the correct statement:
|Item rationed |Statement |
|Food |Introduced in August 1939. Seven colour-coded ration cards were issued. Rationing made diets|
| |repetitive. Nevertheless, two out of five Germans ate better because of it |
|Clothes |Introduced in November 1939 |
|Hot water |Only permitted two days a week |
|Toilet paper |Not available |
|Milk |Only children were entitled to it |
11 Four possible examples, with explanations for two of them:
Children, workers in heavy industry, pregnant women, blood donors.
Workers in heavy industry and blood donors were vital to the war effort. It was important that they were fit and healthy.
12 a, b
• The first air raids on Berlin started in 1939. (Change to: 1940)
• As air raids increased, Germans moved or were evacuated to urban areas. (Change to: villages and the countryside)
• Before 1942 the British mainly targeted residential areas. (Change to: war targets such as armaments factories)
• Area bombing began in 1942 and targeted small cities. (Change to: large)
• An estimated 5,000 people were killed by bombing raids. (Change to: half a million)
• In late 1940 extreme air raids took place in Dresden. Nearly 70% of the city was destroyed. (Change to: 1945)
• Around 2 million Germans were made homeless. (Change to: 7.5 million)
13
|Statement |True |False |
|Most German men were in the army, creating a labour shortage on the home front. |√ | |
|Concentration camp prisoners were forced to work for the German war effort. |√ | |
|Women were banned from entering the workforce. | |√ |
|Prisoners of war were treated well to make sure they produced the best quality goods for | |√ |
|the German war effort. | | |
|Women worked in ammunition factories. |√ | |
14 Sample answer:
By the end of the Second World War there were large numbers of refugees in Germany, who faced harsh conditions and food shortages. A variety of events during the war had led to these high numbers. Refugees had been created in the west when the war first broke out. Many people fled British air raids which destroyed cities and left people homeless. In the east refugees fled the advancing Russian armies in 1945. With no transport systems remaining, they were forced to walk.
Exam-style questions
15 Sample answer:
The first problem facing the German working class between 1933 and 1939 was the lack of trade unions. The Nazi Party had banned trade unions in 1933. This meant that workers did not have representatives to stand up for them when their working conditions were poor. With no unions to take them on, German employers were able to freeze wages and increase working hours.
The German working class were also faced with the strict requirements of the German Labour Front (DAF). They were expected to join DAF and in many cases were forced. DAF banned strikes and prevented workers from voicing their concerns at work.
16 Sample answer:
All people’s lives in Germany were affected as a consequence of the Second World War. However, different groups were affected differently.
Rationing, which was introduced early on in the war, affected the majority of German people. Food rationing was introduced in 1939. People were issued with seven different food ration cards. Rationing made diets repetitive, nevertheless two out of five Germans ate better with it. Other items rationed included clothes and hot water. Children were the only people given milk.
People living in cities experienced air raids. British bombing campaigns started to target large cities from 1942, including Berlin and Dresden. This had a huge impact on those living in cities. Air raids reduced morale and left many thousands of people homeless. Nearly half a million civilians were killed and many more injured. Children were evacuated to the countryside.
The Second World War also changed the lives of women. Before the war they were expected to be mothers and housewives, but the war changed Nazi expectations of them. Nazis now wanted women to join the war effort. They were expected to work in factories as well as looking after their families. Those living in the countryside were expected to take in evacuee children.
17 An essay plan for you to use to write a detailed response:
Introduction
• Briefly, in two or three lines, describe the main aims of Nazi economic policies.
• Make your judgement clear: which sector benefited more?
Main point 1: farmers
• Describe Nazi economic policies for farmers.
o Reich Food Estate
o Reich Entailed Farm Law
• Explain how they benefited farmers.
o Include specific examples, for example farmers could expand their business if successful.
• Explain how they did not benefit farmers.
o Only eldest inherits farm.
o If not very successful, limited business/trading opportunities.
• Link to your judgement: who benefited more? Why?
Main point 2: big business
• Describe Nazi economic policies for big business.
o Rearmament
o Removal of trade unions
• Explain how they benefited big business.
o Include specific examples: rearmament led to increase in trade and profit; no trade unions to demand workers’ rights; industry grew.
• Explain how they did not benefit big business.
o Nazi control of wages and profits.
o Government control over who had access to resources.
• Link to your judgement: who benefited more? Why?
Conclusion
• Restate your judgement, highlighting key pieces of evidence for your decision.
Social policy and practice
18 History: pupils were taught that the Treaty of Versailles was a stab in the back. Weimar was led by weak politicians. The Nazi Party led by Hitler was the only party able to lead Germany and make it a strong power.
Biology: the Aryan race was superior and Jews were subhuman. Biology was made to reinforce Nazi ideology and its anti-Semitic policies.
Maths: textbooks would focus on the cost to Germany of inferior races, supporting Nazi policies to remove ‘inferior’ groups from society.
19 Complete the following table to detail Nazi Party policies towards young people:
|Group |Aim |Members |Activities |
|Hitler Youth |encourage loyalty to Hitler |boys |camping, fitness, military |
| |create future Nazi Party supporters | |skills |
| |prepare boys for the army | | |
|League of German Maidens |encourage loyalty to Hitler |girls |domestic activities such as |
| |create future Nazi Party supporters | |cooking, cleaning, sewing |
| |prepare girls for motherhood | |physical exercise |
20 Timeline of Nazi policies towards the church:
1933: Concordat between the Nazi Party and Catholic church.
1934: Nazi campaign to discourage children from attending church schools and church youth groups.
1936: Creation of the Reich Church, to unify all Protestant churches in one official Reich Church.
1937: Christmas carols and plays banned from schools.
1939: All religion in schools banned.
21 Accurate statements representing Nazi attitudes towards women:
|should have a family, the more children|should support their husbands |should have a traditional role |
|the better | | |
22 Children, kitchen, church
23 There are many examples — select two. Not all are listed here:
• awards for mothers who had large families
• propaganda promoted motherhood through posters and radio programmes
• loans to newly married women who agreed not to take jobs
• motherhood classes
24 Match the different social groups to the persecution they faced:
|Social group |Persecution |
|Gypsies |Five out of every six were killed with no public outcry. They were believed to be |
| |inferior people. |
|Homosexuals |They were sent to concentration camps with no public outcry. They were seen as a threat|
| |to traditional family life. |
|Disabled |For individuals with a hereditary illness, sterilisation was enforced. In 1939 a |
| |programme of euthanasia started. At least 5,000 children were killed between 1939 and |
| |1945 and 72,000 mentally ill patients were gassed between 1939 and 1941. |
25 a, b
1933: Boycott of Jewish shops. A one-day boycott of Jewish shops, lawyers and doctors. This national act of anti-Semitism started the isolation of Jews in German society.
1935: Nuremberg Laws. Advertised as laws to protect Aryans from Jews. The laws included the banning of marriage between Jews and Aryans. Increasing segregation in society and isolation of Jews within Germany.
1936: Lull in anti-Semitic policy due to the Olympics. Anti-Jewish signs and propaganda were removed. Some Jews hoped this signalled a change of attitude.
1937: Aryanisation of Jewish businesses increased. More Jewish businesses were taken over by the state. Further isolation of Jews in Germany.
1938: Red ‘J’ stamped in all Jewish passports. Made it easier for the state to identify and target Jews in Germany. Jews were singled out as different.
1938: Kristallnacht. ‘The night of broken glass’. Jews were attacked and their property destroyed. Increase in persecution and violence against Jews.
1942: Wannsee Conference. This saw the planning of the ‘Final Solution’. It was a turning point in Nazi anti-Semitic policy. It included death camps in the east away from Germany, where Jews would be worked to death or gassed. It was the start of the Holocaust and the death of millions of Jews.
26 Here is an example paragraph with key words underlined:
The Nazi Party was able to increase its persecution of the Jews and start the Final Solution following Germany’s initial successes in the Second World War. In 1939 Germany entered Poland and in 1941 started the invasion of Russia. This placed many more Jewish people under Nazi control. Jews in Poland were rounded up and moved to ghettos. In Russia groups of SS soldiers called Einsatzgruppen were ordered to murder Jews. In 1942 the Final Solution was planned and placed under the control of Himmler. The use of concentration and death camps in the east led to the deaths of millions of Jews.
Exam-style questions
27 Sample answer:
Interpretation B differs from Interpretation A in its description of the Nazi treatment of Jews. Interpretation B points out that ‘Jews were placed outside of the German community because of the laws’. It makes it clear that judges and attorneys were aware of anti-Semitic actions from 1935. It can also be inferred that anyone with an interest or involvement in law was aware of the segregation of Jews within Germany. The consent of members of the legal community also implies that they did not try to stop legal discrimination against Jews and possibly supported it. In contrast, Interpretation A describes the treatment of Jews as ‘minor’. It states that the brutal anti-Semitic actions of Hitler were not obvious.
28 Points for you to consider for your response:
Interpretation A
• Member of the Hitler Youth: wanted to distance himself from the horrors of Nazi anti-Semitic policies.
• The reader can infer that Nazi propaganda was effective at the time and that members of the Hitler Youth only heard / saw what the Party wanted to tell them.
Interpretation B
• A former leader of the Cologne Gestapo on trial for his part in mass murder. Wanted to emphasise that he was following orders. Does not deny knowing about the treatment of Jews as there was clear evidence of his involvement: he was head of the Gestapo in Cologne.
• Wanted to highlight the role of others to show how widespread anti-Semitic actions were. Points to senior legal figures being involved — showing he was one of many people involved in the mistreatment of Jewish people.
29 A plan for you to use to write a detailed response:
Judgement: Interpretation B is more convincing — describes senior people within the law and Nazi Party not standing up for the Jewish community. However, Interpretation A is also convincing as Nazi propaganda was effective. Young people would have been exposed to a racist education and to indoctrination through the Hitler Youth, making them think that serious actions against the Jews were ‘minor’.
Interpretation A
Convincing:
o At school during the 1930s — education was racist and anti-Semitic, give examples.
o Members of the Hitler Youth were exposed to propaganda and taught Nazi ideals.
o Seemed to be part of creating an orderly society.
Limited:
o It is limited because it ignores laws, such as the Nuremburg Laws of 1935, that had already been put into effect.
o It is limited because it ignores evidence of Jewish harassment, e.g. separate education, no Jews allowed in the professions etc.
Interpretation B
Convincing:
o Jews were certainly ‘placed outside of the German community because of the laws’: specific examples include use of law to exclude Jews from professions (e.g. April 1933 prevented Jews from admission to legal profession); excluded from state schools; later placed in ghettoes in Poland.
o ‘Nuremburg Laws were well known’: Jews were prosecuted with breaking the law from 1936. Judges upheld the law and passed prison sentences. Also aware of changes in laws from 1933 as they were the upholders of German law.
Limited:
o The Gestapo organisation in Cologne was not likely to have been as weak as stated. The Gestapo was a highly centralised organisation with strong leadership. This would have dictated what happened, especially in an important city such as Cologne.
o It is correct that the Jews had been put outside the German community, but that does not explain or excuse the harsh treatment they received, e.g. at Kristallnacht.
Control
30
|Statement |Goebbels |Himmler |
|Head of Nazi propaganda |√ | |
|Appointed minister for public enlightenment in 1933 |√ | |
|Become head of SS in 1929 | |√ |
|Role included eliminating opposition to the Nazi Party | |√ |
|Used media to promote Nazi policies |√ | |
|Carried out racial policies | |√ |
31 a, b Points you could include:
Festivals and rallies
• Nuremberg rallies with bands, marches and displays.
• Emphasised order in Germany.
• Provided entertainment and a sense of belonging.
o Strength: high profile, showed the power of the state.
o Limitation: people pretended to support the rallies.
Radio
• Radios became cheap to allow the majority of people to have one and listen to Nazi propaganda.
• Hitler’s speeches were played on the radio.
o Strength: main form of entertainment in the home, many people owned and listened to the radio.
o Limitation: some people could access radio from other countries, for example the BBC, which broadcast other information.
Newspapers
• Strict censorship was imposed — no anti-Nazi ideas permitted.
• Focused on Nazi successes.
o Strength: the Nazis controlled all newspapers, preventing anti-Nazi content.
o Limitation: circulation fell under Nazi control.
Cinema
• All films had to include a pro-Nazi message.
• The newsreels shown before the films focused on Nazi successes, especially during the war.
• Foreign films were censored.
o Strength: cinema was a popular leisure activity and allowed the Nazis to spread their message.
o Limitation: many people arrived late to avoid the newsreels.
Music and books
• Strict censorship with all books having to be approved.
• Book-burning ceremonies to rid Germany of books containing anti-Nazi messages.
• Mein Kampf became the best seller.
o Strength: Nazi ideals could be presented in different forms, for example the ideal Aryan family often featured in literature.
o Limitation: illegal music was smuggled in to Germany and could be listened to on foreign radio channels.
32
|Statement |True |False |
|SS stands for Schutzstaffel: ‘protection squad’. |√ | |
|All members were Aryans — tall, blond, blue-eyed men. |√ | |
|The SS consisted of one unit, with no subdivisions. | |√ |
|Its main task was terror and intimidation. |√ | |
|Following the outbreak of the Second World War the importance of the SS declined. | |√ |
|The SS was a minor section of the Nazi Party. | |√ |
33
|Method of control |Purpose |Activities |How it helped secure Hitler’s |
| | | |position |
|Gestapo |State secret police, |Tapped telephones, spied on |Spread fear among the general |
| |designed to eliminate |civilians, had a network of |population |
| |opposition |informers. Arrested people |Reduced open opposition to the |
| | |suspected of acting against the |Nazi party and Hitler |
| | |Nazi Party | |
|Concentration camps |Most serious sanction for|Hard labour |Spread fear, reducing criticism of|
| |Nazi opponents |Terrible living and working |the state |
| | |conditions | |
| | |Beatings and executions | |
|Informers |To identify opponents of |Listened to private conversations|Spread fear, reducing criticism of|
| |the state |Reported people to the |the state |
| | |authorities, including family | |
| | |members | |
|Police and courts |To control and target |Law and order |Ignored crimes committed by agents|
| |opposition to the Nazi | |and heavily targeted opposition |
| |Party | | |
34 a
|Youth opposition group |Members |Anti-Nazi Party actions |Nazi Party reaction |
|Swing Youth |Middle-class teenagers |Listened to illegal music |Closely monitored and arrested |
| | |including jazz |members |
|Edelweiss Pirates |Based in Rhineland |Targeted Hitler Youth |Closely monitored and arrested |
| |Working-class teenagers |Sang anti-Nazi slogans |at least 700 members |
| | |Killed Gestapo chief in Cologne|Public execution of 12 members |
| | |in 1944 | |
|White Rose Group |Munich University students|Anti-Nazi posters, leaflets and|Arrested and executed leaders |
| | |graffiti | |
34 b No set answer — your judgement
34 c No set answer — your judgement
35 a, b
• Claus von Stauffenberg approved of SS brutality. (Change to: disapproved)
• Von Stauffenberg and other army leaders created Operation Hit. (Change to: Valkyrie)
• The plan was to shoot Hitler during a meeting. (Change to: use two bombs in a briefcase to kill)
• Civilians would then take control of Berlin. (Change to: The army)
• Von Stauffenberg attended a military conference at Rastenburg. He planted the bomb under the table. During the meeting he remained in the room until the bomb exploded. (Change to: He left the room before the bomb exploded, pretending to make an urgent phone call.)
• When the bomb exploded, Hitler was killed. (Change to: survived)
• Von Stauffenberg and leading plotters were fined for their actions. (Change to: killed)
36
|Individual |Religion |Mainly opposed to |Nazi Party reaction |
|Martin Niemöller |Protestant |Hitler’s Reich Church |Imprisoned in concentration camp |
| | | |1937–45 |
|Dietrich Bonhoeffer |Protestant |Nazi racist views and |Concentration camp 1943–45; executed |
| | |treatment of Jews |1945 |
37 Define the following key terms:
|Key term |Definition |
|Aryan |Nazi term for non-Jewish German who was ‘pure’ Germanic |
|Censorship |The banning of books, films, news, etc. considered politically unacceptable |
|Dictatorship |One-party state with a ruler who holds complete power |
|Opposition |Resistance through action or argument |
|Propaganda |Information, often biased or misleading, being used to promote a specific point of view |
|Repression |Stopping or preventing free action, speech or expression |
|Totalitarian |When every aspect of a population’s life is controlled and monitored by those in power |
Exam-style questions
38 Sample answer:
The first problem faced by Goebbels’ propaganda and censorship policies was monitoring what individuals listened to on their radios. Goebbels made radios cheap to ensure the majority of households could access them. Although all radio stations in Germany were censored, some people were able to tune into the BBC. This allowed them to listen to information free of Nazi propaganda.
A second problem Goebbels faced was making sure his messages were listened to and not ignored. For example, while the Nazi Party controlled all newspapers, circulation fell by 10%. People often arrived late to the cinema to avoid the propaganda newsreel shown before films started.
39 Sample answer:
Firstly, opposition groups showed their dissatisfaction with the Nazi regime through passive resistance. This included not joining Nazi Party organisations and not publicly showing loyalty to the regime. The only youth groups offered to children were the Hitler Youth for boys and League of German Maidens for girls, yet only 50% of boys joined the Hitler Youth. Adults also avoided Nazi Party organisations such as activity groups after work. Some avoided joining the party or giving the Heil Hitler salute. Other forms of passive resistance included ignoring propaganda or not listening to radio broadcasts.
A second way in which opposition groups showed their dissatisfaction with the regime was by spreading anti-Nazi information. Illegal underground groups were formed, such as the White Rose Group. The members of the White Rose Group were Munich University students who distributed leaflets and graffitied anti-Nazi slogans.
Finally, some opposition groups showed their dissatisfaction by killing Nazi leaders and attempting to kill Hitler. The Edelweiss Pirates targeted leaders of the local party and killed the Gestapo chief in Cologne in 1944. The Stauffenberg bomb plot, July 1944, was designed to kill Hitler. It was led by Claus von Stauffenberg and other army leaders.
40 A plan for you to use to write a detailed response:
Introduction
• Briefly, in two or three lines, describe opposition to the Nazi Party.
• Make your judgement clear. What was the most important reason for there being little opposition?
Main point 1: Propaganda
• Describe Nazi propaganda methods.
o Goebbels’ campaign
o use of newspapers, films, radio
• Explain how they reduced opposition.
o Include specific examples, e.g. the Nazis’ positive messages about reducing unemployment, making Germany powerful again, as well as the negative propaganda against Jews and other groups.
• Link to your judgement explaining the importance of propaganda.
Main point 2: Terror and fear
• Describe Nazi use of terror and fear to reduce opposition.
o Gestapo
o SS and persecution
• Explain how they reduced opposition, using specific examples.
o Gestapo: fear of being listened to, reported and arrested
o SS and persecution: concentration camps, Holocaust
• Link to your judgement explaining the importance of terror and fear.
Conclusion
• Re-state your judgement, highlighting key pieces of evidence for your decision.
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