Paper 1
Germany, 1890-1945
Both
Use key dates to anchor narrative answers: 1919 Treaty, 1923 hyperinflation, 1933 Enabling Act.
Key Facts
- Treaty of Versailles (1919): war guilt, £6.6bn reparations, army limited to 100,000.
- Article 48 allowed the President to rule by decree in emergencies.
- The Enabling Act 1933 gave Hitler law-making powers without the Reichstag.
- Night of the Long Knives (June 1934) removed SA leadership and secured army support.
- Nuremberg Laws (1935) banned marriage between Jews and non-Jews.
Topics Covered
Germany and the Growth of Democracy
What you need to know
- •Kaiser Wilhelm II ruled from 1888-1918 with significant powers.
- •Kaiser appointed the Chancellor and controlled foreign policy and army.
- •Reichstag was elected by universal male suffrage but had limited power.
- •Industrial growth created a strong working class and SPD support.
Exam Tips
- Use SPAG: make a clear point, add evidence, explain impact.
- Mention specific powers like appointing Chancellor.
Weimar Republic 1918-1923
What you need to know
- •Weimar Constitution introduced democracy with proportional representation.
- •Article 48 gave President emergency powers to rule by decree.
- •Treaty of Versailles (1919): war guilt, £6.6bn reparations, territorial losses.
- •Hyperinflation (1923) destroyed savings and caused economic chaos.
- •Spartacist uprising (1919) and Kapp Putsch (1920) showed political instability.
Exam Tips
- Link Treaty terms to resentment and political extremism.
- Use precise figures for reparations.
Golden Years 1924-1929
What you need to know
- •Stresemann stabilized economy with Rentenmark and Dawes Plan (1924).
- •Young Plan (1929) reduced reparations and boosted confidence.
- •Cultural revival: Bauhaus architecture, cabaret, cinema.
- •League of Nations membership (1926) restored international status.
Exam Tips
- Name Stresemann and his key policies for higher marks.
Rise of Hitler and Nazi Party
What you need to know
- •Wall Street Crash (1929) triggered Great Depression in Germany.
- •Unemployment rose to 6 million by 1932.
- •Nazi support grew: 1928 (12 seats) → 1932 (230 seats).
- •Hitler appointed Chancellor January 1933 by Hindenburg.
- •Reichstag Fire (Feb 1933) blamed on communists, boosting Nazi support.
Exam Tips
- Use precise dates: 1929 Crash, January 1933 Chancellorship.
- Link economic crisis to Nazi electoral gains.
Nazi Dictatorship 1933-1939
What you need to know
- •Enabling Act (March 1933) gave Hitler power to pass laws without Reichstag.
- •Night of the Long Knives (June 1934) eliminated SA leadership and rivals.
- •Hitler became Führer (August 1934) after Hindenburg died.
- •Gestapo and SS controlled population through terror and surveillance.
- •Propaganda controlled by Goebbels: rallies, radio, films, posters.
Exam Tips
- Link methods (propaganda, terror) to outcomes (obedience, control).
- Name Goebbels for propaganda, Himmler for SS.
Life in Nazi Germany
What you need to know
- •Women: encouraged to have large families (Kinder, Küche, Kirche).
- •Youth: Hitler Youth indoctrinated boys, BDM for girls.
- •Workers: unemployment fell through rearmament and public works.
- •Jews: Nuremberg Laws (1935) stripped citizenship, Kristallnacht (1938) violence.
- •Opposition crushed: churches controlled, trade unions banned.
Exam Tips
- Use specific examples: Strength Through Joy for workers, Lebensborn for families.
Key Terms
Article 48
Weimar emergency powers allowing President to rule by decree.
Enabling Act
1933 law allowing Hitler to pass laws without the Reichstag.
Führer
Leader - title Hitler took after becoming dictator in 1934.
Gestapo
Secret police who arrested and imprisoned opponents.
Kristallnacht
Night of Broken Glass (1938) - violent pogrom against Jews.
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Common Exam Questions
Describe two features of the Weimar Constitution.
Model Answer
Feature 1: Proportional representation meant small parties gained seats. Feature 2: Article 48 gave emergency powers to the President.
What examiners want to see
- ✓Two distinct features.
- ✓Brief supporting detail for each.
Explain two effects of the Treaty of Versailles on Germany.
Model Answer
Effect 1: Germany accepted war guilt and paid £6.6bn reparations, causing economic hardship and resentment. Effect 2: Territorial losses like the Polish Corridor divided Germany and reduced resources, fueling nationalist anger.
What examiners want to see
- ✓Two effects with clear explanation.
- ✓Link to consequences.
Explain two effects of the Enabling Act.
Model Answer
Effect 1: Hitler could pass laws without the Reichstag, removing democratic checks. Effect 2: It allowed Hitler to establish dictatorship by banning opposition parties and trade unions.
What examiners want to see
- ✓Two effects with clear explanation.
- ✓Show understanding of dictatorship.
How far do you agree that the Treaty of Versailles was the main reason for Hitler's rise to power?
Model Answer
The Treaty created resentment and economic problems, but the Great Depression was the trigger. Hitler used propaganda effectively and Weimar weaknesses like Article 48 helped. Balanced judgment: Treaty set conditions but economic crisis was decisive.
What examiners want to see
- ✓Balanced argument with both sides.
- ✓Clear judgment supported by evidence.
- ✓Range of factors discussed.
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