History Year 12 Transition Work
Course: Edexcel Option 1G: Germany and West Germany, 1918-1989
The unit will be taught through different themes; political and government change,
opposition, control and consent, economic development and aspects of life and social
policy. To make good progress you need a good chronological understanding of the
period of 1918-1989.
Task 1: What was Germany like 1971-1918?
In order to understand the complexities of Germany post 1918, it is important that you
build an understanding of Germany from its unification in 1871. To do these you need to
read the information on the website below to create a 1 page profile with no less than
15 summary bullet points of Germany 1871-1918. Use the links to the additional
resources at the right hand side of the page to find additional information.
http://ibatpv.org/projects/germany/2ndreich/index.html
http://www.schoolshistory.org.uk/ASLevel_History/week1_thesecondreich.htm
(You will also find links to later events in Germany that you can use for TASK 2 on this
webpage)
Task 2: Create a detailed timeline of Germany 1918-1989. You will need to research
and include the following:
Germany 1919-1929:

Creation of the Weimar Republic and the early problems like Treaty of
Versailles, Spartacist uprising, Kapp Putsch, hyperinflation, the golden years of
Weimar and the main events
Germany 1929-1933:

Collapse of the Weimar Republic- 1929 depression and impact on Germany, the
events that led to the collapse, the role played by Papen, Schleicher and
Hindenburg, the appointment of Hitler as Chancellor
Germany 1933-1945:

Nazi dictatorship- how did Hitler create a dictatorship (night of the long knives,
Reichstag fire, enabling act etc). the events of 1933-1934

Life in Nazi Germany-main events in Germany and the war
Germany 1945-1989:

The impact of Yalta and Potsdam on Germany. The division of Germany, the
creation of the Federal Republic of Germany, the actions of Adenauer and the
main key events until 1989.
PLEASE NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list and you should make use of a range
of resources to complete a detailed timeline including events that might not be
listed above. This should include a visit to a local library.
Suggested Reading/textbooks:
Geoff Layton: From the Kaiser to the Fuhrer
Collier and Pedley: Germany 1918-1945
Kitson: Germany 1858-1990: Hope, Terror and Revival
Suitable websites you may wish to refer to when completing your timeline:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17301646

http://hsc.csu.edu.au/modern_history/national_studies/germany/2435/page97.
htm

http://www.eds-resources.com/20thcentury.htm

http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/History/Federal-Republic-Germanyhistory.htm

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/federal-republic-of-germany-isestablished

http://spartacus-educational.com/2WWwestGermany.htm

http://ibatpv.org/ib/ibpage.html
Task 3: Once you have completed your detailed timeline, you need to categorise the
main events and developments:

Social and cultural change

Political Change

Economic Change

Foreign policy