PEARSON EDEXCEL IGCSE HISTORY (1-9) : Germany: Development of Dictatorship, 1918-1945

German federal parliament

The term "chancellor" has different meanings depending on the context. In the case of Germany, the Chancellor refers to the head of government. The Chancellor of Germany is the country's chief executive and is responsible for leading the federal government.

The Social Democratic Party (SPD) is a political party in Germany

Frederick Ebert, the first President of the Weimar Republic, was a German politician who played a crucial role in establishing democracy in Germany after World War I. He was a member of the Social Democratic Party and focused on advocating for workers' rights and social welfare policies.

All men and women of 20 and over have the right to vote
-for the Reichstag (4 years)
-For the President (7 Years)
-for the parliament of the state which they live (4 years)
-In plebiscites (occasional votes on important issues)

A coalition is a political alliance or partnership formed by multiple parties or groups to achieve a common goal or to govern together. It is often formed when no single party or group has enough support to govern independently.

The Constitution is a written document that outlines the fundamental principles, laws, and structure of a government. It is the supreme law of the land, establishing a country's organization and operation, defining government powers and limitations, protecting individual rights and freedoms, and ensuring checks and balances.

A veto is the power to reject a decision or proposal. It is commonly used in politics by a president or governor to block legislation or actions, effectively stopping them from being implemented.

A plebiscite is a direct vote in which the entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal or issue. It is a way for the people to express their opinion on important matters.

Article 48 was a provision in the Weimar Constitution of Germany, which granted the President emergency powers to suspend civil liberties and govern by decree in times of crisis. It was frequently used during the interwar period (1919-1933) to stabilize the country, but also contributed to the erosion of democracy.

Proportional representation is a voting system where seats in a legislative body are allocated in proportion to the number of votes each political party receives.

The Treaty of Versailles was a peace treaty signed on June 28, 1919, that officially ended World War I. It was negotiated and signed in Versailles, France, and imposed harsh terms on Germany. The treaty placed full blame for the war on Germany and its allies, imposed significant territorial losses, and demanded reparations payments. .

The Spartacists were a radical socialist group in Germany during the early 20th century. They were active during the German Revolution of 1918-1919 and sought to establish a communist state. the Spartacists played a significant role in the political unrest and uprisings that followed World War I. However, their movement was eventually suppressed by the German government and paramilitary groups.

Leaders:

Karl Liebknecht

Rosa Luxemburg

The Kapp Putsch, also known as the Kapp-Lüttwitz Putsch, was a failed coup attempt in Germany in 1920. It was led by Wolfgang Kapp, a right-wing journalist, and supported by General Walther von Lüttwitz. The aim of the putsch was to overthrow the Weimar Republic and establish a right-wing government. However, the coup was met with widespread resistance, including a general strike by workers, which paralyzed the country. Ultimately, the putsch collapsed after just a few days, and Kapp and his supporters were forced to flee.

Leaders

Erhardt - Military Leader
Wolfgang Kapp - Reichstag Member

Hyperinflation is a rapid and uncontrollable increase in the general price level of goods and services within an economy. It is typically characterized by extremely high inflation rates, often exceeding 50% per month. Hyperinflation erodes the purchasing power of a country's currency, leading to a loss of confidence in the economy and a breakdown of the monetary system.

1929

As a result of Germany not paying reparations in 1923, France and Belgium occupied the Ruhr region, Germany's industrial heartland and used the coal. This led to passive resistance by the German workers, but Germany still needed to pay them to passive resist so they started printing money, which resulted in hyperinflation.

Gustav Stresemann (1878-1929) was a German statesman and politician who played a crucial role in the Weimar Republic. He served as Chancellor in 1923 and Foreign Minister from 1923 until his death. Stresemann is known for his efforts to stabilize the German economy, negotiate the Dawes Plan, and improve Germany's international relations after World War I.

Adolf Hitler, a German politician, led the Nazi Party and became dictator of Germany from 1933 to 1945. He started World War II and implemented policies that caused the Holocaust, resulting in the genocide of millions, especially Jews. Hitler aimed to establish a totalitarian regime based on racial purity and extreme nationalism, which is widely condemned.

The Nazi Party, or NSDAP, was a far-right political party in Germany from 1920 to 1945. Led by Adolf Hitler, it promoted German nationalism, anti-Semitism, and totalitarianism. The party played a major role in the rise of Nazi Germany and the start of World War II. Its ideology was fascist, aiming for a dictatorship under Hitler. The Nazi Party is widely criticized for the Holocaust and other war crimes.

The Munich Putsch, also known as the Beer Hall Putsch, was Adolf Hitler's failed coup attempt in Munich, Germany, in 1923. Hitler and the Nazis tried to seize power through force, but the police quickly stopped the coup. Hitler was arrested and later wrote Mein Kampf while in prison. The Munich Putsch was an early but unsuccessful bid for political power by Hitler.

"Mein Kampf" is Adolf Hitler's book written while he was imprisoned in the 1920s. It details his political ideology, anti-Semitic beliefs, and plans for German expansion. The book is controversial, criticized for promoting hate and intolerance. It influenced Nazi ideology and the events leading to World War II.

The Wall Street Crash, also known as the Great Crash of 1929, was a major stock market crash that occurred in the United States. It had a significant impact on the global economy, including Germany. The crash led to a worldwide economic downturn. It effected Germany as Germany was taking loans from the US.

The Reichstag Fire refers to the arson attack on the German Reichstag building in Berlin on February 27, 1933.

Man accused of causing the fire, he was a Dutch communist.

Von Hindenburg, a German military officer and politician, was President of Germany from 1925 to 1934. He appointed Adolf Hitler as Chancellor in 1933, a decision that led to the rise of the Nazi regime, marking a major turning point in German history.

Von Papen, a German politician and diplomat, was Chancellor of Germany in 1932. He played a key role in Hitler's rise to power, leading to the erosion of democracy and the establishment of the Nazi regime.

Von Schleicher refers to Kurt von Schleicher, a German general and politician who served as the Chancellor of Germany from December 1932 to January 1933. He was the last Chancellor of the Weimar Republic before Adolf Hitler's appointment as Chancellor.

Hitler became Chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933, appointed by President Hindenburg. This marked a major turning point in German history, leading to Hitler's rise to power and the establishment of a totalitarian regime.

A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.

The Night of the Long Knives, or Operation Hummingbird, was a purge in Nazi Germany from June 30 to July 2, 1934. Adolf Hitler ordered the execution of key members of the Sturmabteilung (SA), a Nazi paramilitary group, to eliminate rivals and strengthen his power. Around 85 people died, including SA leader Ernst Röhm. This event secured Hitler's control over the Nazi Party and solidified his dictatorship.

He passed away on August 2, 1934, at the age of 86. Hindenburg served as the President of Germany from 1925 until his death. His passing marked a significant moment in German history, as it paved the way for Adolf Hitler to consolidate power and become the sole leader of Nazi Germany.

The Aryan race, a Nazi ideology during WWII, promoted the belief in a superior race of people with Nordic or Germanic ancestry. It justified discrimination, oppression, and genocide against those considered racially inferior, including Jews and Romani people. This ideology has been discredited and rejected by the scientific community.

Religious Groups- Catholics, Protestants and Jehovah's Witnesses
Political Prisoners- Communists and Trade Unionists
Foreign Forced Labour Groups - Non-German ethnic groups
The “Work-Shy”- unwilling to work, Gypsies, Alcoholics and homeless
Sexual Offenders- Homosexuals
Professional Criminals - Burglars and Thieves
Jews- Regularly rounded up but much more after Kristallnacht

A concordant is an agreement between parties, often in international relations. It outlines terms and promotes understanding, cooperation, and harmony.

In July 1933, Hitler signed a concordant with Pope Pius XI. The pope agreed that the Catholic Church would stay out of politics if Hitler agreed to not interfere with the church.

Nazi propaganda, led by Goebbels, shaped public opinion and controlled the narrative in Germany. It demonized Jews, promoted Hitler's ideology, and rallied support for the regime. Through newspapers, radio, films, and rallies, propaganda created a cult of personality around Hitler, glorified the Nazi Party, and manipulated public perception. Its impact was profound, contributing to the rise of Hitler's regime.

Censorship in Nazi Germany controlled information and suppressed dissent. The regime tightly controlled media, literature, art, and public discourse to promote their ideology and eliminate opposition. They banned books, censored newspapers, and controlled radio broadcasts to manipulate public opinion. Critical content and works by Jewish authors were suppressed. This censorship shaped public perception and maintained regime control.

In pre-Nazi Germany, women over 20 were allowed to vote and took an increasing role in politics. By 1933, 1/10 of the Reichstag was women. Women had more freedom than ever, and were allowed to go out, party, and wear makeup

During the Nazi era, women were encouraged to focus on motherhood and supporting the regime's Aryan ideology. They were discouraged from having careers and prioritized domestic duties. The regime promoted the "ideal" Aryan woman, emphasizing fitness and traditional values. After the Nazi era, women's rights improved gradually with more education and job opportunities. Experiences varied based on factors like social class and political affiliation.

Youth opposition to the Nazis in Germany involved resistance and dissent. They joined underground movements, distributed anti-Nazi literature, sabotaged, and joined banned youth organizations. Notable groups were the Swing Kids and Edelweiss Pirates. However, this opposition was small compared to the overall population. Many young people were influenced by Nazi propaganda or forced into Hitler Youth organizations.

Passed in 1933, allowed the sterilization of people with mental disabilities, tramps, and beggars.

economic independence/self sufficiency