Holycrosshistory



Holy Cross High SchoolNational 5 HistoryExam Type questionsDescribe how Germany was affected by WW1 A and B discuss the impact of the war on GermanySource AAlthough November 1918 meant the end of the war, I recall no sense of joy. There was onlyconfusion as men returned from the Front. On Saturday the papers announced the Kaiser’sabdication. On Sunday, I heard shots fired in the streets of Berlin. During the whole war Ihadn’t heard a single shot, yet now the war was over they began shooting. I felt uneasy. OnNovember 11th, I saw the newspaper headline “Armistice Signed”. I turned to stone. I felt mywhole world had collapsed.Source BIn November 1918, when the Kaiser fled to Holland, German soldiers retreated in disarray.They were in a state of shock. The streets were full of lorries with sailors, soldiers andworkers brandishing red flags. There was fighting and gunfire in the streets around my home.Families kept close together, often afraid to venture out in fear of stray pare the views of sources A and B as evidence of the impact of WW1 on GermanyThe candidate evaluates the degree of agreement between Sources A and B using evidence such as:??Sources agree about the Kaiser abdicating:Source A says: on Saturday the papers announced the Kaiser’s abdicationSource B says: the Kaiser fled to Holland??Sources agree about the soldiers returning in chaos: Source A says: there was only confusion as men returned from the FrontSource B says: the soldiers retreated in disarray??Sources agree about shooting in the streets of the cities: Source A says: on Sunday I heard shots fired in the streets of BerlinSource B says: there was fighting and gunfire in the streets??Sources agree that people were anxious: Source A says: I felt uneasy/I felt my whole world had collapsedSource B says: families kept close together often afraid to venture out in fear of stray bulletsExplain the reasons why the Treaty of Versailles was unpopular in GermanyGermans believed in Wilson’s 14 point planSoldiers were reluctant to believe their war had been in vainThe Germans hated the Treaty of Versailles because they had not been allowed to take part in the Conference. They thought they had been tricked and betrayed, and they hated the Treaty.The Germans hated Clause 231 (which blamed Germany for causing the war), because it was the excuse for all the harsh clauses of the Treaty, and because they thought Russia was to blame for starting the war. Germany’s military power was reduced, and it was not allowed any troops in the Rhineland. Germans said this left them powerless against even the tiny countries. Yet at the same time, Germany was not allowed to join the League of Nations – an insult.Germany had to pay ?6,600 million ‘reparations’, a huge sum which Germans felt was just designed to destroy their economy and starve their children.Finally, Germans hated the loss of land. Alsace-Lorraine was given back to France – a national humiliation. Germany’s colonies were given to France or Britain, which Germans saw as empire-building. Worst of all, huge areas of Germany were given to countries like Poland, and Germany was not allowed to unite with Austria. The Germans thought this was unfair, because other nations were given self-determination – but many Germans LOST the right to be part of Germany.Describe the rights given to Germans in the Weimar constitution??all men and women over 20 had the vote; everyone over 35 could stand in presidential elections??people had the right to vote by secret ballot??all Germans were equal before the law??everyone had the right of freedom of speech/to express their opinions freely and openly??freedom of association/people had the right to hold peaceful meetings??freedom of press??everyone had the right of freedom of religion??letters and correspondence could not be opened and read??rights of privacy/people had the right of privacy in their own homes??no one could be arrested without good reason/unless they broke the law??no one could be imprisoned without trial??people had the right to form political parties??people had the right to join trade unions and societiesDescribe the events of the Spartacist Revolt (know) January 1919, Liebknecht and Luxemburg led a movement to try and get rid of Ebert’s governmentThey wanted to turn Germany into a Communist country like RussiaThey started a movement of violence in the streets of BerlinThey captured newspaper offices and railway stationsThe Spartacists had 100,000 people involved in their revoltThe new German leader Ebert was worriedHe asked the leading army General Groener for his helpEbert promised Groener that he would not interfere in the army if Groener helped himGroener organised a group of sacked ex-soldiers to fight the Spartacists They were called The Freikorps Over 700 people were killed in the violenceThese men would later become Hitler’s SAThe Freikorps were able to put down the Spartacist RevoltThe revolt showed that there was huge opposition to the Weimar GovernmentIt also showed the Weimar government needed help to run GermanyThe allies were unhappy about the Freikorps – they felt Germany was trying to get round the 100,000 army limit set by the Treaty of VersaillesKarl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg were executed for their part in the uprisingPeople began to associate the Communists with violenceExplain the reasons why the Spartacist Revolt failed (know)Karl Liebnecht and Rosa Luxemburg did not plan their uprising well enoughKarl and Rosa were killed in police custodyThe Government acted very quickly in organising the Friekorps to put down the uprisingThe Spartacists were arguing amongst themselves – they were not unitedTheir supporters started to get bored standing around in freezing Berlin and went home Workers councils supported elections over revolutionDescribe the events of the Beer Hall Putsch (know)Von Kahr (Governor of Bavaria) was making a speechNazi SA men surrounded the buildingHitler and some Nazis interrupted the meeting in the Beer Hall in MunichLudendorff present and supported Hitler25 Nazis burst in/Goering led 25 Nazis into the hallHitler climbed on a chair in the Beer Hall and fired a shotVon Kahr and Bavarian leaders (Police Chief, Von Seisser and Army Chief, Von Lossow) ordered into a private room/threatened into offering support to the NazisHitler declared a national revolutionLudendorff let Von Kahr and others go once they agreed supportVon Kahr and other leaders withdrew support and ordered putsch to be crushedNext day Hitler marched to the town centre in Munich, with 3,000 NazisNazi supporters were forced back by troops and policeHitler dislocated his shoulder and ran off16 Nazis and 3 policemen were killedHitler was later arrested.Describe the economic problems of the Weimar Republic between 1919 and 1929Because of the inflationary means by which the imperial government had financed the war, the German mark in 1919 was worth less than 20 per cent of its prewar valueMoreover, the economic impact of the Treaty of Versailles was crushing. Germany lost 13 per cent of her territory, 10 per cent of her population, 15 per cent of arable land, 75 per cent of iron and 68 per cent of zinc ore, 26 per cent of her coal resourcesT of V also meant the loss of communications system built around Alsace-Lorraine and Upper Silesia. Huge amounts of ships and shipping facilities and of railway rolling-stock were delivered to the Allies.The amount of reparations fixed in 1921 was estimated by J. M. Keynes (economist) to exceed by three times Germany's ability to pay.Inflation cause unemployment in the first years of the republicGermany couldn’t pay France in 1923 and France invaded the RuhrThis led to hyperinflation in 1923Dawes Plan tied Germany’s economy to America After Wall Street Crash in 1929, Germany suffered when America called in the loansThis led to unemployment and hunger in GermanyDescribe the effects of hyperinflation (some of this could go in above answer)??On Friday afternoons, workers desperately rushed to the nearest store, where a queue had already formed??When you arrived a pound of sugar cost two million marks but, by the time your turn came, you could only afford a half pound??In the chaos, people pushed prams loaded with money??We were devastated as life savings became worthless??It wiped out pensions??It caused a degree of psychological trauma in the nation??Bartering became common??People preferred dollars as a more stable currency??Debts were wiped out??Some businessmen such as Stinnes benefited??Businesses went bust due to lack of investment??Increased political extremism??Munich PutschExplain the reasons why hyperinflation made life difficult for people in Germany1 ??pensioners suffered as pensions did not keep pace with inflation2 ??middle class suffered as salaries could not keep pace with inflation3 ??people’s savings lost their value causing hardship4 ??money became worthless causing great suffering5 ??barter for goods as money was worthless6 ??working class suffered a fall in their standard of living as wagesdidn’t keep up with inflation7 ??workers had to rush to spend their savings before prices went up8 ??people sold items of value to purchase necessities9 ??those on fixed benefits eg the unemployed, suffered badly10 ??people were reduced to poverty11 ??wealthier found it hard to adapt as unused to poverty and hardship12 ??people couldn’t afford fuel and suffered from the cold13 ??people couldn’t afford soap so cleanliness suffered14 ??people had to queue for food as food was in short supply15 ??people couldn’t afford medicine so health suffered16 ??death rate increased/deaths from hunger17 ??businesses go bust as people not buying non-essential items/unemployment18 ??physical burden of carrying large bundles of worthless money eg inwheelbarrows/suitcasesDescribe the political problems faced by the Weimar Republic between 1919 and 1925??Spartacist Revolt??Political assassinations ??Kapp Putsch??Constitutional disagreements??Stab in the Back myth??Reactions to VersaillesSection 2 Nazi rise to power, 1929–1933Discontent against the Weimar RepublicExplain the reasons why the Weimar Government was unpopular up to 1925.1. some people felt coalition governments were weak/parties seemed too busy arguing to solve the country’s problems2. many Germans didn’t like democracy/longed for the return of the strong leadership of the Kaiser3. frequent changes of government made it difficult to follow consistent policies4. appeared to be unable to solve the country’s economic problems such as war debt/hyper-inflation5. six governments in six years in the mid-1920s created an appearance of a weak government6. it seemed incapable of maintaining order/stopping frequent outbreaks of violence/political assassinations7. criticised by nationalists for giving in to foreign powers8. criticised for allowing the French invasion of the Ruhr9. associated with Germany’s defeat in the First World War10. blamed the Weimar Government for accepting the Treaty of VersaillesExplain the reasons why Hitler and the Nazi Party attracted so much support by January 1933. (Information for this question can get put into lots of answers)1. Hitler appeared to offer Germany strong leadership, which was appealing2. Offered solutions to Germany’s economic problems, so popular3. Promised to provide jobs for the unemployed , which was popular4. Promised to overthrow the Treaty of Versailles, which was welcomed5. Nazi rallies, eg Nuremberg, impressed people6. Hitler was a superb speaker7. Effective use of propaganda to get over his message8. Hitler had a clear, simple message which appealed to many people9. Promised support for the farmers, shopkeepers, etc, which was popular10. Businessmen were attracted by Hitler’s promise to destroy trade unions11. Young people were attracted to the Hitler Youth12. Promised to restore Germany as a world power, which was welcomed13. Germany’s best defence against Communism/support from middle classes14. Discipline/uniforms of the SA impressed people15. Widespread support from nationalists for his racial theories/anti-Semitism16. Tired of the chaos of the Weimar Government and wanted a change/belief that democracy weakExplain the reasons why Hitler was able to become Chancellor in 1933.??Weimar blamed for losing World War One/Stab in the Back??Proportional representation produced weak governments??The governments showed inability to curb extremism in politics??Coalition governments lacked authority/seemed unable to solve problems facing Germany??Weimar was blamed for economic hardships: Hyper-inflation/Depression??Squabbling among politicians led to people losing respect for/faith in them??Hitler promised strong, decisive leadership??Nazi use of propaganda, eg held large public meetings/parades which excited many??Use of intimidation/violence which attracted many/intimidated others??Nazi programme: anti-Versailles, anti-Communist, anti-Jews had a great deal of support among ordinary Germans??Hitler’s promises: eg provision of jobs, reunite all Germans, re-militarisation??The use of political tactics, eg refusal to join coalition governments allowed Hitler to outflank his opponents??Success in elections brought greater publicity/legitimacy/financial backing??Nazis gained widespread support as they seemed to offer something to most groups/classes in GermanyDescribe the events between 1933 and 1934 that led to Hitler consolidating his power in GermanyHitler used Reichstag fire to imprison communistsAlso used the Reichstag fire to create a culture of fear about the motives of the KPDReplaced courts with people’s courtsGeneral election did not give Hitler majority, but gave him enough seats to get Enabling Act passedEnabling Act critical in giving Hitler absolute power (expand)Nazis take over local government, and allow the Gestapo to rule through terrorHitler abolished Trade UnionsSet up German Labour Front, giving control over workersConcordat with Pope temporary truce that allowed Hitler to ban ‘Zentrum’ without any oppositionBanned political parties to make Germany a one party stateNight of the Long Knives destroyed internal opposition and gave power to SSPeople’s courts gave Hitler extra power in courtHitler became Fuhrer on Hindenburg’s deathDescribe the events of the Reichstag Fire the impact of the Reichstag fire on Hitler’s Rise to power (harder question)Section 3 Nazi control of GermanyFormation and characteristics of the National Socialist Government; National Socialism in power: intimidation; treatment of Jews and other minority groups; opposition to National Socialism by socialists, communists, and the churches.Describe the ways the Nazis created a totalitarian state* political parties outlawed; non-Nazi members of the civil service were dismissed, crushing possible opposition* Nazis never quite able to silence opposition to the regime* speed of takeover of power and ruthlessness of the regime made opposition largely ineffective* anti-Nazi judges were dismissed and replaced with those favourable to the Nazis ensuring the support of the legal system* Acts Hostile to the National Community (1935) – all-embracing law which allowed the Nazis to persecute opponents in a ‘legal’ way* Use of Gestapo created a culture of fearExplain the reasons why it was difficult to oppose the Nazis after 1933* opponents liable to severe penalties, as were their families which added to the climate of fear and enforced loyalty* opponents never able to establish a single organisation to channel their resistance – role of the Gestapo, paid informers* opposition lacked cohesion and a national leader; also lacked armed supporters* lack of cooperation between socialists and communists* difficulties involved in publicising their views* groups like the White Rose and Kreisau Circle had to meet in secret* little co-operation between opposition groups* outspoken individuals (Bonhoeffer, Niemoller) were rounded up* opposition leaders were arrested, put in concentration camps or killed* overseas assistance was lacking* many leaders fled from Germany* groups were often infiltrated by the Gestapo/spies* all opposition was declared illegal/banned after 1933 (Enabling Act)* Trade Unions were declared illegalintimidation by the SSfear of concentration campsNazis controlled the mediaNazis kept a tight control over the youngNazi propaganda widespread support for the NazisNazi control of the courtsbrutal treatment/hanging of opponentsrivalry between left-wing parties mean they do not unite in oppositionestablished churches provided no organised opposition.Describe the ways the Nazis were able to control people’s lives1. The KDF (Strength through Joy Organisation) controlled most forms ofentertainment2. Each year around seven million people took part in KDF sports matches3. Mass outings to the theatre and the opera were arranged4. Workers were also provided with affordable holidays including cruises andwalking or skiing holidays5. Other Strength through Joy programmes such as:Evening classes for adults6. Hitler youth activites controlled young people7. Reich church Describe the attempts to oppose the NazisThe Catholic Archbishop of Munster, von Galen, led a successful campaign to end euthanasia of mentally-disabled people. Some Catholic priests opposed Hitler. In 1937, the Pope's message 'With Burning Concern' attacked Hitler as 'a mad prophet with repulsive arrogance' and was read in every Catholic church. The White Rose group was formed by students at Munich University. They published anti-Nazi leaflets, but were discovered and executed in 1943. A paramilitary wing of the Social Democratic Party, called the Reichsbanner, sabotaged railway lines and acted as spies. During the war, 'swing' groups were formed. These were young people who rejected Nazi values, drank alcohol and danced to jazz. More violent groups were called the Edelweiss Pirates. They daubed anti-Nazi slogans, sheltered deserters and beat up Nazi officials. In 1944, the Cologne Pirates (the Edelweiss Pirates based in Cologne) killed the Gestapo chief, so the Nazis publicly hanged 12 of them. Many Protestant pastors, led by Martin Niem?ller, formed the Confessional Church in opposition to Hitler's Reich Church. Niem?ller was held in a concentration camp during the period 1937-1945. Another Protestant pastor, Dietrich Bonh?ffer, took part in the 1944 bomb plot and was executed. In 1944, a group of army officers and intellectuals called the Kreisau Circle tried to bomb Hitler. The bomb was planted by Colonel Stauffenberg. It exploded, but Hitler survived. In retaliation, 5,000 people were executed.Section 4 Nazi social and economic policiesNazi economic policies; militarism; youth movements and education; role of women; Nuremberg rallies.To what extent were the social policies of the Nazi Government crucial to their maintenance of power between 1933 and 1939?Describe the Social Policies of the Nazi Party1. Nazi youth policy encouraged loyalty2. Nazi education policy brainwashed the young3. Nazi policy towards the Jews – first isolate, then persecute and finally destroy created a fear of similar treatment4. Nazi family policy – Kinder, Kirche, Kuche won support/from traditionalists5. subsidised holidays/leisure activities of the Kraft durch Freude programme were popular6. a Concordat with the Catholic Church was reached/a Reichsbishop was appointed as head of the Protestant churches which limited possible opposition from the churches7. creation of the national community (Volksgemeinschaft) created a sense of national purposeDescribe how the Nazis used propaganda after 1933 to maintain power10. use of Nuremburg Rallies inspired loyalty11. use of radio ensued that the Nazi message was widely spread12. Cult of the Leader: the Hitler Myth ensured that Hitler remained personally very popular13. use of the Cinema: Triumph of the Will etc spread the Nazi message widely14. Nazi propaganda effectively spread the Nazi messageDescribe the ways the Nazis treated the Jews after 19331. violence against Jews (eg Kristallnacht)2. from 1933 Anti-Jewish Laws/boycott of Jewish shops/doctors/lawyers/ lecturers dismissed3. Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service banned Jews from government jobs4. 1935: Jews forbidden to join the Army; restrictions on opportunities for employment/education; Civil Liberties restricted; Anti-Jewish signs displayed in shops/restaurants/cafes5. 1935 Nuremburg Laws for the Protection of German Blood and Honour: ban on marriage between Jews and non-Jews6. sexual relations between Jews and non-Jews outside marriage ? criminal/prison offence7. 1935 National Law of Citizenship meant Jews lost citizenship ? no vote/ rights8. On buses and park benches, Jews had to sit on seats marked for them.9. Jewish children were ridiculed by teachers10. Bullying of Jews in the playground by other pupils went unpunished.11. 1938 only Aryan doctors were allowed to treat Aryan patients* The Peoples Car (Volkswagen) hire purchase scheme which turned out to be a swindle2. Nuremberg Laws3. Hitler Youth later made compulsory4. Role of Gestapo5. Propaganda (examples of)6. Censorship of newspapers/films/books/films7. Books considered unacceptable were burned8. Complaining about the Nazis against the law9. Penalty for anti-Hitler jokes was death10. National Labour Service11. Compulsory Military ServiceSource C is about education in Nazi Germany.Source CThere were many changes at school. Some were barely noticed, others were introduced asthough with a great fanfare of trumpets. None of my school mates questioned the new Nazitextbooks. In line with National Socialist education policies, the number of P.E. periods wasincreased at the expense of religious education. When competitive field games were addedto the curriculum our teacher spelled it out to us, “It is what the Führer wants for you”. At thestart of class we had to raise our arms in the “Heil Hitler!” salute.How fully does Source C describe the changes to education in Nazi Germany?1 ??new Nazi books were introduced2 ??teaching of Religious Education was reduced in favour of PE3 ??competitive field events were added to curriculum4 ??pupils (and teachers) were to raise arms in “Heil Hitler!” saluteand from recall such as:1 ??indoctrination of Nazi ideas eg anti-semitism/militarism2 ??emphasis on German history/German culture3 ??introduction of new subjects such as Racial Science/Eugenics4 ??for girls emphasis on female subjects (Kinder, Kirche, Kuche)5 ??teachers suspected of being disloyal to party were arrested6 ??all teachers had to join the Nazi Teachers’ League7 ??pictures of Hitler in classrooms8 ??Jewish children were humiliated/from 1938 only allowed to attendJewish schools9 ??maths questions changed to reinforce Nazi ideals10 ??specialist schools set up to train future Nazi leaders (Napolas)Source A is from the memoirs of Marianne Gartner who joined the Hitler Youth at theage of 12 in 1938.Source AOne day, fittingly enough on his birthday, I took my oath of loyalty to Hitler. Joining the Hitler Youth, we were told, was an honourable service to the German people. However, I wasn’t really concerned with serving the Führer when I raised my hand. Rather, I thought of attractive outdoor activities which would get me away from school and home. A uniform, a badge and a salute, I signed up without thinking. Although, it was not long before our leaders taught us marching drill which I hated along with lectures on National Socialist ideas.Source BThose of us who joined the Hitler Youth were not necessarily dedicated National Socialists. Many entered because they felt attracted by the range of leisure activities which membership offered. In comparison, “ideological schooling” was far less significant a motive in most girls’ minds. Many were also attracted by the chance to do things which previously only boys could do, such as marching. It was also an opportunity to have more independence from parents, go on trips and take part in group activities. Interest in the Hitler Youth flagged among many girls after a certain amount of time spent in the pare the views of sources a and b on Hitler Youth.??Sources agree that not all members of Hitler Youth were committedNazis:Source A says: I wasn’t concerned with serving the FuhrerSource B says: Those of us who joined the Hitler Youth were not necessarily dedicated National Socialists??Sources agree that many found the activities of the Hitler Youth attractive:Source A says: I thought of the attractive outdoor activitiesSource B says: attracted by the range of leisure activities??Sources agree that Hitler Youth was used to spread Nazi ideas:Source A says: (there were) lectures in National Socialist ideasSource B says: (there was) ideological schooling??Sources agree that Hitler Youth activities offered a break from home and school:Source A says: outdoor activities would get me away from school and homeSource B says: It was also an opportunity for more independence from parents/to go on trips??Sources disagree on attitudes to marching:Source A says: marching drill which I hatedSource B says: attracted by the chance to do things which previously only boys could do such as marchingHow important in maintaining Hitler’s control of Germany was:EITHER(a) the strength of the Nazi government?OR(b) the weakness of opposition groups?1??Enabling Act meant Hitler could make/pass laws without agreement of Reichstag2??all political parties declared illegal/banned after 1933 (Enabling Act)3??trade unions declared illegal4??Nazis employed spies/Gestapo agents5??intimidation by the SS deterred dissent6??fear of the concentration camps deterred dissent7??opponents arrested which weakened opposition groups8??Nazis controlled the media which inhibited free speech9??Nazis kept tight control of the young/Nazi control education10??Nazi propaganda indoctrinated the German people11??widespread support for the Nazis eg restored order, strong economic policies12??Nazis control the courts to enforce repression13??brutal treatment/hanging of opponents deterred dissent14??Army oath of allegiance to control military1??opposition faced difficulty in publicising their views2??opposition had little support among the working classes3??groups had to meet in secret4??little co-operation between opposition groups/left wing opposition5??Communists and Socialists refused to cooperate6??opposition groups such as the Edelweiss Pirates, Texas Band and Nevaho were disorganised7??most church groups agreed to co-operate with the Nazis8??lack of organised religious opposition9??outspoken individuals (Bonhoeffer, Neimoller) were rounded up10??opposition leaders were arrested or killed11??overseas assistance was lacking12??many leaders fled Germany13??groups were often infiltrated by the NazisSource A was written by historians J.F. Corkery and R.C.F. Stone, in “Weimar Germany and the Third Reich”, published in 1980.Source AGovernment organisation of the workers gave opportunity for brainwashing them. In 1935 the Labour Service was established. This meant that every male between the ages of 18 and 25 had to do six months in public work camps. Camp discipline was semi-military. Camp leaders were given ranks. Men drilled with spades instead of rifles. The Labour Service was an opportunity to spread Nazi propaganda, building upon that already provided by the schools and Hitler Youth. Workers were urged to regard themselves as ‘soldiers of work’.Evaluate the usefulness of Source A as evidence of militarism in Nazi GermanySource BHitler made it compulsory for 18–25 year old German men to do six months’ service in the Labour Service Corps. Men were given jobs on public works schemes such as building motorways. Within the Labour Service Corps military discipline was stressed and drill was endless. These men were encouraged to see themselves as ‘soldiers of work’. Each year thousands of men from the Labour Service Corps would be presented to Hitler for inspection at the annual Nuremberg pare the views of Sources A and B as evidence of militarism in Nazi GermanyDescribe the ways women were treated in Nazi GermanyAs soon as the Nazis came to power thousands of women in professional jobs were dismissed and the number of women at university was greatly reduced.In 1933 Marriage loans were introduced to encourage couples to marry and have children. If a couple had four children repayment of the loan was cancelled. Single people and childless couples were taxed more.Women who had a lot of children were honoured with the Mother’s Cross. Only families with four children were officially allowed to be called a family. Abortion and contraception were banned and those who broke the law could be executed. Unmarried women often had children and there was no longer any shame attached to illegitimacy.The age of motherhood for Aryan women was reduced to sixteen. Divorce was made easier if one of the partners was infertile. The Lebensborn programme encouraged unmarried women to have a child by ‘racially pure’ SS men.Girls were taught from a young age that it was their duty to have as many children as possible. Schools and the Hitler Youth concentrated on activities which prepared girls to be wives and mothers. The Nazi Women’s League led by Gertrude Scholz-Klink promoted Nazi ideas.Propaganda reinforced Nazi ideas on racial purity and images of the ideal Aryan family. Schools, youth organisations and the League of German Women constantly reminded women of their duty to have children.Aryan women were only allowed to marry Aryan men to prevent ‘racial pollution’. Women who were racially ‘impure’ or who had hereditary illness were forcibly sterilized.The Nazis tried to stop women following fashions. Make-up and wearing trousers was frowned upon, and hair was ‘expected’ to be in certain styles. An arrangement in a bun or in plaits was permitted, but dyed or permed hair was not.Slimming was discouraged because being slim was not thought to be good for childbearing. Girls were forced to take part in sport and physical exercise programmes to keep them fit and healthy for childbearingWhen the war started all of the policies towards women workers were cast away because there was a shortage of workers. Millions of women were forced back to work against their will. Describe Nazi economic policiesHitler stopped paying reparations and invested money in German industry. There was a massive increase in military spending which created jobs in armaments and many men were conscripted into the armed forces.Thousands of jobs were created by public works such as autobahns, new schools, hospitals, houses and government buildings.Jobs were also created in the car industry and the production of radios. The Nazis also increased the number of people directly employed by the government.Women, Jews and opponents of the Nazis were forced out of work and over 500,000 people were imprisoned in concentration camps. Unemployment was further reduced by the introduction of National Labour Service.Workers were kept under control by the abolition of trade unions and the setting up of the Nazi controlled German Labour Front (DAF). The Strength through Joy organization (KdF) provided cheap holidays, sporting and cultural activities for workers. The Beauty of Labour movement tried to improve working conditions and facilitiesIn 1937 economic targets were set out in Goring’s Four Year Plan. This was designed to prepare Germany for war. Arms production was increased and there was a drive towards self-sufficiency (autarky). Imports were reduced and substitutes for raw materials such as oil and rubber were developed. Farmers were encouraged to produce more food.The Four Year Plan did succeed in increasing food production and imports were cut but Germany was a long way from being self-sufficient.When war broke out in 1939 the German economy was not yet operating at full capacity. The production of armaments in 1943 was greater than that of 1939.The wartime economy became heavily reliant on forced labour and resources from conquered territories. Despite these new resources the Germans were unable to keep up with the armaments production of their enemies. Allied bombing and the advance of the Soviets deprived Germany of vital war resources.By 1943 faced with the combined resources of Britain, Russia and the USA there was no possibility of German output keeping up with the Allies. Although the war continued for another two years the defeat of Germany was inevitable.Describe the ways young people were treated in Nazi GermanyAll teachers had to join the Nazi Teachers League and attend special training courses. All subjects and books that the Nazis disagreed with were replaced.All lessons had to begin with a salute to Hitler and a large picture of him dominated every classroom. Political education was introduced as a school subject.Teachers humiliated Jewish children and racial hygiene was taught to spread racist ideas. Children were told that Germans were the Master Race.Nazi officials who would question pupils about their teachers often visited schools. Teachers would get young children to report things their parents said.The German Minister of Education gave a clear statement of the Nazi view of education when he said “The whole purpose of education is to create good Nazis.”In 1936 it became compulsory for all boys to join the Hitler Youth. Only those of pure German blood could join. Parents could be prosecuted for refusing to let their children join.The Hitler Youth was organized along military lines - uniforms, drill, marching and weapons training were given. There were also camps and parades, sports etc.Young people were made to feel important and swore an oath to die for the Fuhrer. Most activities were exciting but they also had to listen to long political lectures.Girls were expected to take part in exercise and learn domestic skills so that they would become good wives and mothers. It was their duty to marry and have children.Hitler was often photographed surrounded by young people. He wanted to be identified with the image of a new young Germany. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download