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Depth Study B - Germany

The document summarizes the political history of Germany from 1918 to 1945. It discusses the end of World War 1 and establishment of the Weimar Republic, the punitive Treaty of Versailles, political instability and divisions in the early Weimar years including hyperinflation. It also outlines the cultural achievements of the Weimar era, the rise of the Nazi party under Hitler, the impact of the Great Depression, Hitler's consolidation of power after becoming Chancellor in 1933, and the end of democracy in Germany.

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Vania Arora
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24 views3 pages

Depth Study B - Germany

The document summarizes the political history of Germany from 1918 to 1945. It discusses the end of World War 1 and establishment of the Weimar Republic, the punitive Treaty of Versailles, political instability and divisions in the early Weimar years including hyperinflation. It also outlines the cultural achievements of the Weimar era, the rise of the Nazi party under Hitler, the impact of the Great Depression, Hitler's consolidation of power after becoming Chancellor in 1933, and the end of democracy in Germany.

Uploaded by

Vania Arora
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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depth study B: Germany, 1918-45

1. The Revolu>on of 1918 and the establishment of the Republic


• Revolu>on of 1918
• What: Overthrow of the German monarchy and end of World War I.
• How: Protests, strikes, and mu=nies by civilians and soldiers.
• Why: Led to the abdica=on of Kaiser Wilhelm II and the establishment of a democra=c
republic.
• Establishment of the Weimar Republic
• What: Forma=on of a new democra=c government in Germany.
• How: A provisional government took control, and a new cons=tu=on was draEed.
• Why: To transi=on from a monarchy to a democra=c republic, addressing post-war
poli=cal instability.
2. The Versailles SeJlement and German reac>ons to it
• Treaty of Versailles
• What: Post-World War I treaty imposing puni=ve terms on Germany.
• How: Imposed territorial losses, military restric=ons, and repara=ons.
• Why: Viewed as humilia=ng and unjust, causing resentment and contribu=ng to post-war
grievances.
3. The Weimar Cons>tu>on, poli>cal divisions, and the role of the army
• Weimar Cons>tu>on
• What: Fundamental law establishing the Weimar Republic.
• How: DraEed in 1919, blending parliamentary and presiden=al systems.
• Why: To create a democra=c poli=cal structure and form a new German government.
• Poli>cal Divisions
• What: Emergence of mul=ple par=es represen=ng diverse ideologies.
• How: Par=es like Social Democrats, Communists, and Na=onalists held different poli=cal
views.
• Why: Showed a wide range of poli=cal opinions within the young republic.
• Role of the Army
• What: Military's influence in poli=cal decision-making.
• How: AVempted to influence policy-making to protect its interests.
• Why: Reflected the struggle for control and stability in post-war Germany.
4. Poli>cal disorder, 1919–23
• Economic Crises and Hyperinfla>on
• What: Period of severe economic turmoil post-World War I.
• How: Hyperinfla=on devalued currency, leading to social unrest.
• Why: Undermined confidence in the government and contributed to poli=cal instability.
• Occupa>on of the Ruhr
• What: French and Belgian occupa=on of the Ruhr region in 1923.
• How: Intended to enforce repara=ons payments, causing economic crisis and
resentment.
• Why: Increased economic hardship and fueled an=-foreign sen=ment.
5. The Stresemann era
• Gustav Stresemann's Leadership
• What: Period of stability and recovery in the mid-1920s.
• How: Implemented economic policies, stabilized currency, and engaged in diplomacy.
• Why: Aims to stabilize Germany's economy and restore its interna=onal reputa=on.

6. Cultural achievements of the Weimar period


• Cultural Renaissance
• What: Flourishing of art, cinema, literature, and architecture.
• How: Avant-garde movements challenging tradi=onal norms.
• Why: Showcased Germany's cultural vibrancy and innova=on.
7. The early years of the Nazi Party
• Nazi Party's Ideologies and Methods
• What: Na=onalism, an=-Semi=sm, opposi=on to Versailles.
• How: Hitler's charisma=c leadership, Munich Putsch, propaganda.
• Why: Propaga=on of extreme ideologies and aVempts to seize power.
• Munich Putsch (Beer Hall Putsch)
• What: AVempted coup by the Nazi Party in 1923.
• How: Aimed to overthrow the government, but it failed.
• Why: Elevated the status of the Nazi Party despite its failure.
8. The impact of the Depression on Germany
• Economic and Poli>cal Crisis
• What: Great Depression causing economic turmoil and unemployment.
• How: Provided fer=le ground for extremist par=es like the Nazis.
• Why: Economic devasta=on facilitated the rise of extremist ideologies.
• Hitler's Rise to Power
• What: Hitler appointed Chancellor in 1933.
• How: Capitalized on poli=cal unrest and economic crisis, promised restora=on of order.
• Why: Exploited crises to gain poli=cal trac=on and ascend to power.
9. Hitler takes power
• Consolida>on of Power
• What: Hitler's rapid consolida=on of authority aEer becoming Chancellor.
• How: U=lized emergency measures and propaganda, dismantled democra=c ins=tu=ons.
• Why: Aimed to establish absolute control and eliminate opposi=on.
• The Reichstag Fire and Enabling Act
• What: Reichstag Fire used as pretext for emergency measures.
• How: Passing of the Enabling Act gran=ng Hitler dictatorial powers.
• Why: Cemented Hitler's control, marked the end of democracy in Germany.
10. The Night of the Long Knives
• Purge within the Nazi Party
• What: Purge of poten=al rivals and opposi=on within the Nazi ranks.
• How: Execu=ons and arrests carried out in June 1934.
• Why: Eliminated internal opposi=on, solidified Hitler's power.

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