Past questions paper 4
V important – from 2024 you do not have one 40 marks question but 2 parts a) (15 marks) and b)
(25 marks)
You still have to choose only one question but please write answer to both a) and b).
From Sample paper 2024
Depth study B: Germany, 1918–45 (You should choose only one question, either 3 or 4, but
answer both part a) and b) of chosen question.)
3 (a) Write an account of the establishment of the Weimar Republic. [15]
(b) Discuss the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany. [25]
4 (a) Write an account of Hitler’s consolidation of power, 1933–34. [15]
(b) Discuss the importance of the Night of the Long Knives. [25]
Answers:
3a) Write an account of the establishment of the Weimar Republic
After World War I, Germany’s political leaders sought to transform Germany from a monarchy to a
democracy, called the Weimar Republic (1918–1933). The Weimar Constitution divided power into
three branches of government. Elections were held for the president and the Reichstag (the
legislature), while the judicial branch was appointed.
The Weimar Republic, officially known as the German Reich, emerged in Germany from 9
November 1918 to 23 March 1933. It marked the country’s first constitutional federal republic. The
name “Weimar Republic” comes from the city of Weimar, where the constituent assembly
established its government. After World War I, Germany faced exhaustion and imminent defeat.
This led to the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II, formal surrender to the Allies, and the
proclamation of the Weimar Republic.
The Establishment of the Weimar Republic
•
The Social Democratic Party (SPD) aimed to bring Germany under control after the Kaiser
abdicated
•
Max von Baden resigned as Chancellor of Germany and offered the position to Friedrich
Ebert, the leader of the SPD. Ebert accepted the role
•
On 10th November, Ebert attempted to save Germany from Communism
o
He worked with General Groener and the army to suppress the Communist rioters
o
He dismissed the old Reichstag and created a Council of People’s
Representatives
▪
•
•
This consisted of six politicians who would govern Germany until elections
could be held
Ebert’s measures succeeded in the short term
o
The Council of People’s Representatives, along with the army, was able to regain
control of Germany
o
Germany avoided becoming a Communist state
Ebert’s methods would have long-term consequences
o
His use of force would continue throughout the early years of the Weimar Republic
▪
The Weimar government lacked genuine control over Germany
3 (b) Discuss the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany. [25]
The Treaty of Versailles had ongoing effects on Germany's political and economic stability.
Political impact:
There were 8 important political effects of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany.
•
❖The leaders of Germany's new Weimar Republic were clearly unhappy about signing
the Treaty of Versailles. They had no choice, but it meant the Weimar government was
weakened from the beginning.
•
❖With Allied troops occupying Germany, new German leader Friedrich Ebert had no choice
but to sign the treaty.
•
❖Germans took signing the treaty to mean the Weimar Republic agreed with all its terms.
This undermined the government's authority and encouraged several political groups to try
and overthrow it.
•
❖Right-wing politicians supported attempts to overthrow the government, such as the Kapp
Putsch in 1920.
•
❖Weimar politicians, such as foreign minister Walter Rathenau, were assassinated by rightwing terrorists.
•
❖Left-wing radicals led rebellions and uprisings across Germany, such as the Spartacist
uprising in 1919.
•
❖Many ex-soldiers joined the Freikorps, an anti-communist vigilante group which was
involved in the Kapp Putsch, a right-wing uprising in 1920. This was only defeated by
workers' strikes.
•
❖In the long term, the Treaty of Versailles led to the rise of the Nazis' extremist policies as it
created bitterness among the German people. The Nazis were able to tap into this.
There were 4 significant economic losses to the German economy.
❖16% of its coal production.
❖48% of its iron production.
❖15% of its agricultural produce.
❖10% of its manufacturing.
Economic impact:
There were 10 important ways the Treaty of Versailles impacted the German economy.
❖The reparations amount for Germany was set in 1921 at £6.6 billion. Germany said it couldn't
afford this.
❖Germany paid the first instalment in 1921, but claimed to be unable to pay in 1922.
❖This resulted in the French invasion of the Ruhr and contributed to hyperinflation in 1923.
❖In January 1923, 80,000 French and Belgian troops marched into the Ruhr, an industrial region of
Germany, and began to confiscate goods. They sent these back to France as payment of the debts.
❖Unable to fight off the French troops with a limited army, the Weimar Republic instructed workers
to go on strike, and printed money to support them.
❖This led to hyperinflation and the German currency became worthless.
❖Hyperinflation in 1923 made money worthless and prices for goods shot up. For example, the
price of a loaf of bread rose to 100 billion marks as the currency completely collapsed.
❖Meanwhile, violence broke out frequently between French troops and German workers. Over 130
Germans were killed and 100,000 were deported from the region.
❖The situation was solved in 1924 when Gustav Stresemann, the newly appointed chancellor and
foreign minister, introduced a new currency called the Rentenmark. He also agreed loans from
America, called the Dawes Plan, to pay the reparations.
❖Although Germany recovered from hyperinflation, it left the Germans even more bitter and
resentful about the Treaty of Versailles, which they believed was to blame.
4 a) Write an account of Hitler’s consolidation of power, 1933–34. [15]
Hitler consolidated his power by creating a dictatorship. He used the Reichstag Fire to gain the
power he needed to be able to pass the Enabling Act in March 1933. This law enabled him to
remove all possible groups, institutions or organisations that could oppose him.
The main events used by Hitler to consolidate his power took place between January 1933 and
August 1934.
There were 10 main steps that Hitler took to fully consolidate his power and create a Nazi
dictatorship:
❖He used the Reichstag Fire to gain emergency powers under the Decree for the Protection of the
People and the State which suspended all civil rights.
❖He used this power to attack his rivals, the Communist Party.
❖After the March 1933 election, he gained the support of the Centre Party and the German
National People's Party to achieve a 2/3 majority in the Reichstag so he could pass the Enabling Act.
❖Nazi officials were put in charge of all local government on 7th April, 1933.
❖All independent trade unions were banned and replaced with the Nazi German Labour Front on
2nd May, 1933.
❖The 'Law against the Formation of the New Parties' was passed on 14th July, 1933 which made all
political parties illegal except the Nazi Party.
❖In January 1934, all local governments were taken over, the Länder parliaments were abolished
and Hitler appointed governors to run them instead.
❖During the Night of Long Knives, Hitler had the SS murder possible rivals in the SA on 30th June,
1934.
❖When President von Hindenburg died on 2nd August, 1934, Hitler declared himself Germany's
Führer and combined the powers of chancellor and president.
❖The army then swore an oath of loyalty to Hitler.
❖All of these events meant that Hitler was able to rule Germany as a dictator.
Trade Unions:
Hitler controlled the Trade Unions:
❖He banned all independent trade unions on 2nd May, 1933 and replaced them with the Nazi
German Labour Front to control the workers.
❖Workers could no longer complain about pay and conditions or go on strike.
❖Trade Union leaders were thrown in jail.
Political parties:
Hitler controlled political parties:
•
❖The 'Law against the Formation of the New Parties' passed on 14th July, 1933 and this
made all political parties, except the Nazi Party, illegal.
•
❖Now, the Nazis could round up all political opposition, arrest them and put them
in concentration camps.
•
❖All other political parties were closed down, including their newspapers.
Local governments:
Hitler controlled local governments:
•
❖In April 1933, Hitler controlled all local government which put them in charge of the local
police forces. The Gestapo was formed and the first concentration camp for political
prisoners open in Dachau.
•
❖In January 1934, the Nazis took control of all regional, or Länd, governments by abolishing
their the regional or Länder parliaments.
•
❖Hitler appointed governors to run the regions instead that answered directly to him.
Role of President: When President von Hindenburg died on 2nd August, 1934, Hitler declared
himself Germany's Führer and combined the powers of chancellor and president.
4b) Discuss the importance of the Night of the Long Knives. (25 marks)
The Night of the Long Knives was the deliberate and organised murder of Nazi and SA leaders that
the Führer believed posed a threat to his position. The killings were carried out by the SS.
The Night of the Long Knives began on 30th June, 1934 and continued until 2nd July. At the end of
the Night of the Long Knives about 400 people had been murdered. These included Ernst Röhm
(leader of the SA), General von Schleicher (the ex-chancellor) and Gregor Strasser (a former
leading member of the Nazi Party).
There were 4 main reasons why the Night of the Long Knives occurred:
❖Ernst Röhm had become too powerful with 3 million SA loyal to him. Röhm was a potential rival
to Hitler's position.
❖Röhm was very critical of Hitler's policies of working with rich businessmen and the army. He
wanted the Nazi Party to focus on socialist policies to support the working classes, not on policies
which would benefit the businessmen.
❖Heinrich Himmler and Reinhard Heydrich, the leaders of the SS, disliked Röhm and wanted
to undermine him. They resented the influence Röhm had over the party, so they told Hitler that
Röhm was plotting to seize power.
❖The German Army saw the SA as a threat because they believed the SA wanted to take over the
army, which was a much smaller force of only 100,000 soldiers
There were 4 main results of the Night of the Long Knives:
❖Approximately 400 people close to Hitler, who had been regarded as a threat, were now dead.
❖The SS, led by Himmler, emerged more powerful and they, along with Gestapo, now formed the
basis of the police state.
❖The SA was never again a leading force.
❖Hitler got away with having his opposition openly murdered. This established a pattern for the
Nazi dictatorship.
Significance of Night of long knives:
Here’s why it matters:
1. Consolidation of Power: On June 30, 1934, Adolf Hitler ordered the purge of Nazi leaders,
fearing that the paramilitary SA (Sturmabteilung) had become too powerful. His elite SS
guards executed SA leaders, including Ernst Röhm. This move allowed Hitler to consolidate
his power within the Nazi Party and eliminate potential rivals1.
2. Military Support: The purge strengthened and consolidated the support of
the military (Reichswehr) for Hitler. By eliminating SA leaders, who were seen as a threat,
Hitler gained favor with the conservative-minded generals. It also provided a legal grounding
for the Nazis, as the German courts and cabinet overlooked centuries of legal prohibition
against extrajudicial killings.
3. Legalization of Violence: The Night of the Long Knives demonstrated the regime’s
willingness to bypass legal norms. The German courts and cabinet set aside legal
prohibitions against extra-judicial killings, emphasizing their loyalty to Hitler. This event
marked a turning point in the Nazi regime’s use of violence to maintain control.
In summary, the Night of the Long Knives solidified Hitler’s power, secured military support, and
normalized extrajudicial violence within the Nazi regime. It remains a crucial moment in the rise of
totalitarianism in Germany.
Past Papers:
1. How important were the Freikorps amongst the threats facing the Weimar Republic to
1923? Explain your answer.
The Freikorps played a significant role in the early years of the Weimar Republic (19181933). Here’s how they influenced the political landscape:
Defeating the Radical Left and Communists: The Freikorps emerged after World War I,
composed of ex-soldiers and led by former military personnel. They effectively suppressed
left-wing revolts and uprisings in various German cities, preventing the spread of
communism. By May 1919, they had crushed several uprisings, establishing their role in
maintaining stability.
Kapp Putsch: In 1920, the Freikorps supported the Kapp Putsch, an attempted coup
against the Weimar government. Although the coup ultimately failed, it highlighted the
Freikorps’ willingness to challenge democratic institutions.
Threat to the Weimar Republic: Despite their initial usefulness, the Freikorps became a
threat to the Weimar Republic. Their actions included political assassinations, plunder, and
terror. Notably, they were involved in the 1922 murder of Walther Rathenau, the foreign
minister. As their activities escalated, they were viewed as a nuisance and eventually
replaced by regular army and police forces or absorbed by other political parties, including
the Nazis.
In summary, The Freikorps were a paramilitary force that was born out of the defeat of the
German army in WWI. These mainly ex-soldiers played a critical role in the early years of the
Weimar Republic. The paramilitaries ideology was conservative and nationalistic. The weak
Weimar Republic was faced with a series of Communist-inspired revolts and they had to
rely on these paramilitaries to control them. The Social Democrats were forced to rely on
the paramilitaries, even though they hated the Weimar Republic to defeat its left-wing
enemies.
Summary: These ex-soldiers and extreme nationalists suppressed the Communist-inspired
revolts and helped to save the young democracy. However, the unlikely defenders of the
Weimar Republic became its greatest foe. They almost helped in the overthrow of the
German Revolution in 1920. In the past, historians regarded the Freikorps as the decisive
influence on the National Socialist Party and their forerunners. The relationship between
the paramilitaries and the National Socialist Party was complex. Hitler was not influenced
by the beliefs or the tactics of the paramilitaries. However, the former Freikorps helped to
swell the ranks of the National Socialist Party and inspired the development of the SA.
To conclude: while the Freikorps initially helped stabilize the Weimar Republic, their
radicalism and violent tendencies ultimately posed a danger to democratic governance.
Their legacy paved the way for the rise of Hitler’s National Socialist Party.
2. How significant were the mass media to the Nazi system of control after 1933? Explain
your answer.
The mass media played a crucial role in the Nazi system of control after 1933.
Here’s why:
Fear and intimidation was not enough for the Nazis to guarantee compliance with their
totalitarian regime. The Nazis - championed by Joseph Goebbels - used propaganda and
censorship to control and influence the attitudes of the German people.
In the 1930s, newspapers and radio were the most popular media outlets. The Nazis
embraced these mediums to distribute information. Demonstrating to the German people
the power and strength of the Nazi regime was very important. Rallies such as that at
Nuremberg in 1934 were opportunities to present the unity and organisation of this new
Nazi-led Germany. This contrasted with the disorganised and helpless Weimar Republic.
Press Control: When Adolf Hitler took power in 1933, the Nazis controlled less than three
percent of Germany’s 4,700 newspapers. They eliminated newspapers produced by
outlawed political parties and seized printing plants from Communist and Social
Democratic Parties. The Nazis established control over independent press organs, ensuring
their message dominated public discourse.
Censorship: Any media conveying anti-Nazi ideas or alternative viewpoints faced
censorship. Newspapers, radio, cinema, and theater were tightly controlled. Only books
aligning with the Nazi ideology were allowed, while others were banned and publicly
burned.
Propaganda Ministry: Hitler’s Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, led
by Joseph Goebbels, ensured Nazi messaging through art, music, theater, films, books,
radio, and the press.
In summary, the Nazis used media to manipulate public opinion, suppress dissent, and
consolidate their power. The press, radio, and other forms of communication were powerful
tools in their authoritarian regime.
3. How important were weaknesses in the economy as a reason for instability in Weimar
Germany up to 1923? Explain your answer.
The weaknesses in the economy significantly contributed to instability in Weimar Germany
up to 1923. Here are some key factors:
Economic problems 1919-1923
The French invasion of the Ruhr
Cause
The Treaty of Versailles stated that Germany had to pay fines to the victorious countries of
World War One.
In 1922, the Weimar Government said that it would not be able to pay the next three years’
instalments.
The French Government believed that the Weimar Government could pay but just didn't
want to.
Invasion
In January 1923, the French invaded the Ruhr region of Germany.
The French took control of factories and mines to collect what was owed to them.
The Weimar Government told the Ruhr workers to go on strike.
Consequences
This created hyper-inflation in Germany:
The German currency lost virtually all value.
Paper money became worthless.
For example, a loaf of bread which cost 250 marks in January 1923 had risen to 200,000
million marks by November 1923.
Results of hyper-inflation
Hyperinflation Crisis (1923): The Weimar Republic faced hyperinflation, which severely
undermined its stability. Shopkeepers struggled to keep up with rising prices, farmers
refused to accept worthless money, food riots erupted, and law and order broke down. This
economic catastrophe eroded confidence in the democratic system.
People with savings lost the most.
The elderly suffered greatly.
Germans who were paid monthly were also affected, as their money would lose value
before they were paid again.
Those who were paid weekly were better off.
Those who had taken out loans found it much easier to pay them back.
There were food shortages as businesses did not have enough money to purchase goods
from farmers.
There was a rise in crime as Germans became desperate.
In 1924 the crisis was brought to an end when the USA agreed to give loans to Germany
through the Dawes Plan. This meant that Germany now relied on the USA staying strong.
Hyper-inflation had serious repercussions for the Weimar Government.
The German economy now relied on that of the USA. With the Wall Street Crash in 1929, the
American economy went into meltdown and the German economy was pulled down with it.
Treaty of Versailles: The harsh reparations payment imposed by the Treaty of Versailles (6.6
billion marks) strained the Weimar economy. Additionally, French and Belgian troops
invaded the Ruhr in 1923, exacerbating the economic crisis. The loss of revenue-generating
resources further weakened Germany’s financial position.
In summary, economic weaknesses, including hyperinflation and the burden of
reparations, played a pivotal role in destabilizing the Weimar Republic during this period3.
The German attempt at democracy faced immense challenges due to these economic
factors, ultimately contributing to its downfall.
4. How significant were Nazi policies towards women in the shaping of German society
after 1933? Explain your answer.
The Nazis had clear ideas of what they wanted from women. They were expected to stay at
home, look after the family and produce children in order to secure the future of the
Aryan race.
Traditional Roles: Women were expected to stay at home, focus on family, and produce
children to secure the Aryan race’s future.
Hitler believed women’s lives should revolve round the three 'Ks':
Kinder – Children; Kuche – Kitchen; Kirche – Church
Goebbels said: The mission of women is to be beautiful and to bring children into the
world.
Women were important to the Nazis, however, the Nazis believed that the role of the woman
was in the home and with her family, not in the world of work.
Marriage and family
Hitler wanted a high birth rate so that the Aryan population would grow. He tried to achieve
this by: introducing the Law for the Encouragement of Marriage which gave newlywed
couples a loan of 1,000 marks, and allowed them to keep 250 marks for each child they had
giving an award called the Mother’s Cross to women who had large numbers of children
allowing women to volunteer to have a baby for an Aryan member of the SS.
Employment
Measures were introduced which strongly discouraged women from working, including:
the introduction of the Law for the Reduction of Unemployment, which gave women
financial incentives to stay at home
not conscripting women to help in the war effort until 1943
However, female labour was cheap and between 1933 and 1939 the number of women in
employment actually rose by 2.4 million. As the German economy grew, women were
needed in the workplace.
Appearance
Women were expected to emulate traditional German peasant fashions - plain peasant
costumes, hair in plaits or buns and flat shoes. They were not expected to wear make-up or
trousers, dye their hair or smoke in public. They were discouraged from staying slim,
because it was thought that thin women had trouble giving birth.
Revision tip:
A good mnemonic (CHARMED) to help you remember the facts about Nazi women is:
C - Children
H - Home
A - Appearace
R - Rewards
M - Marriage
E - Employment
D – Domestic
Before the Second World War, the Nazis achieved some success with their policies
The number of marriages increased from 500,000 in 1932 to 750,000 by 1934
The birth rate gradually increased from 15 per 1000 in 1933 to 20 per 1000 in 1939
However, the build-up to and during the Second World War impacted Nazi policies
towards women
By 1937, Germany experienced a national shortage of workers
By 1939, women fulfilled factory jobs but women's employment rates did not increase to
1930 levels
Over 500,000 women worked in the Wehrmacht as nurses or other non-combat roles
Overall, these policies reinforced gender norms and limited women’s roles in society2.
However, their impact was complex, securing approval from some while hindering progress
toward emancipation.
5. How significant were the Nuremberg Laws (1935) in the development of Nazi policies
towards the Jews? Explain your answer.
The Nuremberg Laws were anti-Semitic laws in Nazi Germany. The Nuremberg Laws were
antisemitic and racist laws that were enacted in Nazi Germany on 15 September 1935, at a
special meeting of the Reichstag convened during the annual Nuremberg Rally of the Nazi
Party. The two laws were the Law for the Protection of German Blood and German Honour,
which forbade marriages and extramarital intercourse between Jews and Germans and
the employment of German females under 45 in Jewish households; and the Reich
Citizenship Law, which declared that only those of German or related blood were eligible to
be Reich citizens. The remainder like Jews were classed as state subjects without any
citizenship rights.
Persecution of Jewish people
The following shows how the Nazis treatment of the Jewish people developed during the
1930s.
1933
Jewish people were removed from public office and professions – civil servants, lawyers
and teachers were sacked.
School lessons were to reflect the view that Jewish people were ‘Untermensch’.
April Boycott
On 1 April 1933, a boycott of Jewish shops and other businesses took place.
SA officers actively encouraged Germans to avoid entering Jewish places of work.
Many Jewish shops were vandalised.
1935
The Nuremberg Laws were introduced at the Nuremberg Rally on 15 September and
removed many Jewish rights.
Jewish people were denied the right to be German citizens.
Marriage and relationships between Jewish people and Germans became illegal.
1938
Jewish people were banned from becoming doctors.
Jewish people had to carry identity cards which showed a ‘J’ stamp.
Jewish children were denied education and banned from schools.
Jewish men had to add ‘Israel to their name, women had to add ‘Sarah’.
Kristallnacht
On the night of the 9 November 1938 Jewish homes, businesses and synagogues were
attacked throughout Germany and Austria.
Around 7,500 Jewish shops were damaged or destroyed. 400 synagogues were burned to
the ground.
Almost 100 Jewish people were killed and 30,000 were sent to concentration camps.
1939
Jewish people were banned from owning businesses.
The first ghettos (segregated housing within towns, with a controlled entrance and exit) were
opened in Eastern Europe to separate Jewish people from ‘ordinary’ citizens.
Star of David Emblem
On 23 November, 1939, Jewish people were ordered to wear the Star of David emblem on
their clothes. This helped identify them more easily.
The Nazis persecution of the Jewish people meant that many other Germans lived in fear of
the Nazis turning on them.
This severely reduced the number of people who were willing to openly oppose the Nazis
and led to widespread persecution of Jewish people.
6. How important were foreign policy achievements under Stresemann in stabilizing
Weimar Germany between 1923 and 1929? Explain your answer.
When President Ebert chose Gustav Stresemann as chancellor in August 1923, the
German economy had crashed. The French invasion of the Ruhr had caused hyperinflation
and the German currency, the mark, was worthless.
Stresemann was chancellor from August to November 1923. He made many decisions in an
attempt to save Germany's economy. He brought inflation under control by implementing a
new currency, the Rentenmark. Stresemann negotiated the Dawes (1924) and Young
(1929) plans. This reduced Germany's reparations payments to the Allies.
By November 1923, Stresemann had lost his position as chancellor. Stresemann was
appointed foreign minister by Marx.
As foreign minister, Stresemann pursued several treaties like Locarno and Kellogg-Briand.
He aimed to build better relations with Europe and restore Germany’s reputation as a
world power. Stresemann succeeded in his ambitions. In 1926, the League of Nations
accepted Germany as a permanent member. In the same year, Stresemann won the
Nobel Peace Prize. Stresemann died in office on 3rd October 1929.
Foreign policy achievements under Gustav Stresemann played a crucial role in stabilizing
Weimar Germany between 1923 and 1929. Here are some key points:
Dawes Plan (1924): Stresemann successfully negotiated the Dawes Plan, which reduced
Germany’s overall reparations commitment. This helped stabilize the German economy by
easing the burden of war reparations payments.
Locarno Treaties (1925): These treaties confirmed Germany’s postwar western borders
with France and Belgium. They also guaranteed peace with France and paved the way for
Germany’s admission to the League of Nations in 1926. The Locarno Treaties improved
relations between European countries and fostered a spirit of peaceful settlement of
disputes.
League of Nations Membership: Stresemann’s efforts led to Germany’s acceptance into
the League of Nations in 1926. This international recognition further stabilized the Weimar
Republic.
In summary, Stresemann’s foreign policy achievements bolstered Germany’s credibility on
the global stage, facilitated economic recovery, and contributed significantly to the stability
of the Weimar Republic during this critical period. Historians debate the success of Gustav
Stresemann’s policies on the recovery of the Weimar Republic. Some historians argue that
Stresemann saved the Republic. They state that his policies facilitated a ‘Golden Age' from
1923 to 1929. Between 1924 and 1929, the public’s support of moderate parties increased.
Other historians highlight that Stresemann only delayed the failure of the Republic. The
Dawes and Young plans meant that Germany was reliant on American economic success. If
the USA’s economy failed, it would trigger a depression in Germany. The Wall Street Crash in
the USA in 1929 ultimately caused the downfall of the Weimar Republic.
7. How important was President Ebert to the survival of theWeimar Republic, 1919–25?
Explain your answer.
Ebert became the last chancellor of the kaiser's government on 9th November, 1918. After
the war, he became the first president of the Weimar Republic in February 1919 and held
office until February 1925. Friedrich Ebert played a crucial role in the survival of the Weimar
Republic during its formative years (1919–1925).
Ebert was important for 5 main reasons:
Transition to Democracy: After World War I, Germany transitioned from a monarchy under
Kaiser Wilhelm II to the Weimar Republic, a fledgling democracy. Ebert, as the first
democratically chosen President, helped stabilize the new political system and establish
democratic institutions.
Constitutional Leadership: Ebert actively participated in drafting the Weimar Constitution.
He helped create the new constitution. His consensus-oriented politics guided the young
republic through various crises. His commitment to serving all Germans, regardless of
political affiliations, contributed to stability and continuity. He worked with the kaiser's civil
servants to keep the country running as the country changed from a monarchy to a republic.
Moderate Socialism: Ebert was a moderate socialist and leader of the Social Democratic
Party (SPD). His pragmatic approach focused on improving the living conditions of the
working class. He balanced the need for social reforms with the realities of post-war
Germany. He did a deal with General Groener so that he and the army would work together
to stop the communists from taking power.
Support for War Appropriations: In 1914, Ebert convinced German Social Democrats to
support war appropriations. While controversial, this decision reflected the prevailing
nationalist sentiments across Europe at the time.
November criminals - He was one of the politicians who signed the Treaty of Versailles and
became known as one of the 'November Criminals'.
In summary, Friedrich Ebert’s leadership, commitment to democracy, and pragmatic
approach were vital for the Weimar Republic’s survival during its early years.
8. How significant were the actions of Weimar politicians in Hitler’s appointment as
Chancellor in1933? Explain your answer.
The events leading to Adolf Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor in 1933 were multifaceted
and involved several key factors. Let’s delve into the details:
1. Weimar Republic Weaknesses:
o The Weimar Republic, established after World War I, faced numerous challenges. Its
parliament was fragmented, with over a dozen political parties. This fragmentation
hindered effective governance.
o As the Great Depression hit in 1929, German Chancellors increasingly relied on President
Hindenburg’s emergency powers to pass legislation1.
o By 1932, President Hindenburg had to use Article 48 frequently to enact laws due to the
lack of a strong government with majority support in the Reichstag.
2. Rise of the Nazi Party:
o The Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, capitalized on the economic and political turmoil. Their
support grew significantly during this period.
o In the July 1932 Reichstag elections, the Nazis became the largest single party but lacked
a majority.
o Despite this, Hitler demanded to be made Chancellor, but conservative Franz Von Papen
remained in office.
In November 1932, another Reichstag election was called, and the Nazis remained the
largest party.
o Finally, in January 1933, President Hindenburg and Von Papen turned to Hitler,
appointing him as Chancellor with Von Papen as Vice Chancellor. They believed they
could control him.
3. Consequences:
o Hitler’s appointment had disastrous consequences. Once in power, he and the Nazi Party
unleashed waves of violence against political opponents and Jews2.
o The decision to appoint Hitler ultimately led to the establishment of a dictatorship and the
erosion of democratic institutions in Germany.
o
In summary, the actions of Weimar politicians, along with the prevailing circumstances,
significantly contributed to Hitler’s rise to power and his eventual appointment as Chancellor in
1933. However, it’s essential to recognize that this complex historical moment involved multiple
actors and factors beyond the politicians themselves.
Easy to remember table
Factor
How did this factor cause Hitler to become chancellor?
Hitler’s personal
appeal
Hitler’s oration skills persuaded more and more of the German public to
vote for the NSDAP
The policies of the
NSDAP
Hitler’s policies created national unity and common enemies of the
German state. Hitler blamed Germany’s political and economic problems
on minority groups like the Jewish people.
The weakness of the
Weimar Constitution
Proportional representation made it nearly impossible for political
parties to gain a majority in the Reichstag. The chancellors
continually abused Article 48. This turned the public away from
democracy. It also made Hitler's actions look appropriate
The economic
collapse of 19291933
Germany had suffered two depressions in a decade. The people did not
trust moderate parties in times of crisis. They looked to Hitler for an
alternative solution
Von Hindenburg
Hindenburg allowed the abuse of Article 48. He never fully supported
the Weimar Republic. His actions weakened the power of the Reichstag
and people’s belief in democracy. The public looked to Hitler for a strong
ruler
Von Schleicher and
von Papen
Von Schleicher and von Papen ignored election results to favour a
government controlled by the wealthy. This weakened the people’s trust
in the Weimar Republic. Von Schleicher’s suggestion of a military
dictatorship gave Hindenburg no choice but to give the chancellorship
to Hitler
Underestimating
Hitler’s power
Von Schleicher, von Papen and Hindenburg believed they could control
Hitler and the NSDAP. Hitler used their naivety to his advantage. He used
the Weimar legal system to manoeuvre himself to the position of Führer
of Germany by 1934
9. How significant were the weaknesses of the Weimar government in its downfall?
The fall of the Weimar government was due to three main reasons: constitutional
weaknesses, the foreign policy and economics. The most important out of these were the
constitutional weaknesses, while the least important was economics.
Constitutional weaknesses were the most responsible for the fall of the Weimar
government. The most important constitutional weakness was the high power that the
president held. The German president stayed in power for 7 years and was the only person
who had a say in who the Chancellor would be. The problem with this is that the choice of
Chancellor was therefore based on the president’s personal opinion on him/her, rather than
how suitable they really were for the position. Article 48 was another weakness as it
permitted the president to make decisions without consulting the Reichstag- potentially
resulting in a dictatorship which contradicted the “democratic” nature of the Weimar
Government. The people’s interests were therefore not being taken into account- leading to
decreased support for the Weimar Government.
The second most important constitutional weakness was the P.R voting system. This meant
that all political parties in Germany were represented in proportion to how many seats they
held in the Reichstag. This failed as there were weak coalitions between parties and
decisions could not be made effectively because Germany was so divided in terms of
political ideologies. This lack of decision making allowed for the rise of extremism in the
1930’s, as the Weimar Government began losing support from the people- who began
supporting extremists.
The next constitutional weakness was the equal rights given to all political parties. Freedom
of speech, freedom of press and freedom of assembly were given and this allowed the
enemies of the state to freely oppose the Weimar Government. This turned people against
them and support for Weimar decreased. The final constitutional weakness was the
presence of federal powers that had too much independence (like Bavaria) - eventually
resulting in them becoming too out of control and difficult for the Weimar government to
handle. However, while constitutional weaknesses were the most significant reason for the
Weimar government’s downfall, there were other reasons as well.
The foreign policy was also a significant reason for the Weimar government’s downfall. The
signing of the Locarno treaty and Germany’s entry into the League did show Germany as a
peaceful nation, however, it was seen by some as “working with the enemy” and therefore
led to a decline in Weimar Government support.
More importantly, the signing of the Dawes Plan in 1924 led to an increase in dependence of
Germany on the USA for loans. The Dawes Plan was a loan of 800 million marks from the
USA to Germany to help rebuild German industry and economy- therefore enabling the
nation to pay its reparations. While this plan was successful, it soon became evident that
Germany had become too dependent on USA loans in order to maintain a stable economy.
This was a problem because if for any reason, the USA stopped loaning Germany money,
the economy would become weak again. However, while foreign policy is a significant
reason for the Weimar Government’s downfall, it is not as important as economics and
constitutional weaknesses.
Economics played a major role in the downfall of the Weimar government. Stresemann
brought Germany out of the hyperinflation crisis in 1923, using the temporary currency
(Rentenmark) and later, the permanent currency (Reichsmark) as well as the Dawes Plan.
The German economy was rebuilt and reparations could be paid once again, so France and
Belgium left the Ruhr. Unfortunately, even though the plan was successful, Germany
became too reliant on US loans to maintain its economy.
More importantly, in 1929, the Great Depression hit and Germany was economically
crippled again. Unemployment rates rose, agriculture failed and unpopular government
policies were introduced to deal with the crisis. These policies included cutting benefits and
raising taxes- both of which angered the German people. Support for the Weimar
Government declined even more as people were already finding it difficult to cope with the
Depression without these government policies- the Weimar government had made it even
harder for them. However, even though economics were important in Weimar’s downfall,
constitutional weaknesses were more important.
In conclusion, constitutional weaknesses were the most responsible for Weimar’s
downfall. This is because if the constitution was stronger, the government would never have
lost the people’s support in the first place. Economics was the second most important
reason for Weimar’s downfall as the Depression took a massive toll on Germany and led to
the introduction of unpopular government policies. Finally, the least important reason for
Weimar’s downfall was the foreign policy. While it did change people’s opinions on the
Weimar government’s true intentions, it was not as important as constitutional weaknesses
and economics.
10. How important was the Great Depression as a reason for Nazi electoral
success, 1930–33? Explain your answer.
YES it was important.
Unemployment reached 6 million by 1932 in Germany and extremist parties
benefitted from desperation; Germany particularly badly hit by Depression due
to the recall of US loans – economic collapse; all classes affected and Nazis
promised policies to everyone; right-wing politicians and businessmen feared
increase in Communist vote – they had nearly 100 seats in the Reichstag in
November 1932 election – this led to increased support for the Nazis; SA ran
soup kitchens; 1932 presidential election results, etc.
11. How significant was economic recovery as a reason for the lack of
effective opposition to Nazi rule, 1933–39? Explain your answer.
YES economic recovery was a reason for lack of opposition to Nazi rule.
Unemployment reduced to under 1 million by 1937 helped popular support
for Nazis after 1933; National Labour Service provided work on public works
projects and conservation programmes such as autobahns; government
expenditure funded economic recovery – most Germans happy to put up
with Nazi government; private business became prosperous which helped
Nazis gain further support; rearmament allowed munitions factories to
open – preparation for war and Goering’s Four Year Plan 1936; conscription
reintroduced in 1935 allowed many unemployed to join armed forces –
increased national pride and many Germans felt Hitler was allowing Germany
to emerge from the humiliation of defeat in the First World War and the terms
of the Versailles Settlement, etc.