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Key Topic 1 Weimar Germany 1918-1929
1
The legacy (leftover / consequence)of the First World War.
The abdication of the Kaiser, the armistice 1918–19. The setting up of the Weimar Republic. The strengths and weaknesses of the new Constitution.
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The early challenges to the Weimar Republic, 1919–23.
Reasons for the early unpopularity of the Republic, including the ‘stab in the back’ theory and the key terms of the Treaty of Versailles. Challenges to the Republic from Left and Right: Spartacists, Freikorps, the Kapp Putsch. 1923- French occupation of the Ruhr and Hyper Inflation.
3
The recovery of the Republic, 1924–29
Reasons for economic recovery, including the work of Stresemann, the Rentenmark, the Dawes and Young Plans and American loans and investment. The impact on domestic policies of Stresemann’s achievements abroad: the Locarno Pact, joining the League of Nations and the Kellogg-Briand Pact
4
Changes in society, 1924–29
Changes in the standard of living, including wages, housing, unemployment insurance. Changes in the position of women in work, politics and leisure. Cultural changes: developments in architecture, art and the cinema.
Key Topic 2: Hitler’s rise to power 1918-33
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Early development of the Nazi Party, 1920–22
Hitler’s early career: joining the German Workers’ Party and setting up the Nazi Party, 1919–20.
The early growth and features of the Party. The Twenty-Five Point Programme. The role of the SA.
2
The Munich Putsch and the lean years, 1923–29
The reasons for, events and consequences of the Munich Putsch. Reasons for limited support for the Nazi Party, 1924–28. Party reorganisation and Mein Kampf. The Bamberg Conference of 1926.
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3.
Bamberg Conference of 1926.
The growth in support for the Nazis, 1929–32
Unemployment and the failure of Weimar governments to deal with unemployment from 1929 to January 1933. The growth of support for the Communist Party. Reasons for the growth in support for the Nazi Party, including the appeal of Hitler and the Nazis, the effects of propaganda and the work of the SA.
The rise of Hitler
long term reasons for Hitler gaining popularity
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How Hitler became Chancellor, 1932–33
Political developments in 1932. The roles of Hindenburg, Brüning, von Papen and von Schleicher. The part played by Hindenburg and von Papen in Hitler becoming Chancellor in 1933.
Key Topic 3: Nazi control and dictatorship, 1933–39.
How Hitler used propaganda and censorship, as well as terror to encourage people in Germany to listen to him, support him , and even idolise him.
Hitler dealt very quickly with anyone who opposed him (criticised him, challenged him , hated him).
He set up new laws that would lead to arrest imprisonment and death. Telling anti- Nazi jokes, writing in a journal, and even just grumbling about life in Germany could lead to people being sent for reeducation at the concentration camps.
Key Topic 4: Life in Nazi Germany 1933-39
Hitler worked hard to make sure that children were completely brainwashed, through schools, youth groups and entertainment.
Boys and girls had very important but very different roles to play in Hitler's Germany.
This video explores how the Nazi used education and youth groups to control young people in Germany
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