Buraidah
Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and Dictatorship
AQA GCSE History Revision Guide
A note on this guide. This resource is an independently produced study aid based on
the publicly available AQA GCSE History (8145) specification. It is not published,
endorsed, or affiliated with AQA. This guide covers the most commonly taught option
combination — check with your teacher if your school studies different options, and
note the annually-rotating historic environment site for Elizabethan England is not
covered here.
2.1 Spec Content Breakdown
Part Key content
Part 1: Germany and the growth of Kaiser Wilhelm II’s rule; impact of WWI; the
democracy, 1890–1929 Weimar Constitution’s strengths and
weaknesses; the 1923 crises (Ruhr invasion,
hyperinflation); Stresemann’s recovery
(Rentenmark, Dawes/Young Plans, Locarno
Treaty, League of Nations membership)
Part 2: Hitler’s rise to power, 1919–1933 Formation of the Nazi Party; the Munich
Putsch and Mein Kampf; Nazi
reorganisation; the Great Depression’s
impact; growth in Nazi support 1930–32;
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Part 3: Nazi control and dictatorship, 1933– The Reichstag Fire and Enabling Act;
1945 elimination of opposition; the police state;
propaganda and censorship; Nazi policies on
the Church, youth, women and employment;
persecution of the Jews
2.2 Key Content Summary
Weimar Republic — strengths and weaknesses of the constitution
Strength Weakness
Universal suffrage (all adults over 20 could Proportional representation led to many
vote) small parties and weak coalition
Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and Dictatorship
AQA GCSE History Revision Guide
A note on this guide. This resource is an independently produced study aid based on
the publicly available AQA GCSE History (8145) specification. It is not published,
endorsed, or affiliated with AQA. This guide covers the most commonly taught option
combination — check with your teacher if your school studies different options, and
note the annually-rotating historic environment site for Elizabethan England is not
covered here.
2.1 Spec Content Breakdown
Part Key content
Part 1: Germany and the growth of Kaiser Wilhelm II’s rule; impact of WWI; the
democracy, 1890–1929 Weimar Constitution’s strengths and
weaknesses; the 1923 crises (Ruhr invasion,
hyperinflation); Stresemann’s recovery
(Rentenmark, Dawes/Young Plans, Locarno
Treaty, League of Nations membership)
Part 2: Hitler’s rise to power, 1919–1933 Formation of the Nazi Party; the Munich
Putsch and Mein Kampf; Nazi
reorganisation; the Great Depression’s
impact; growth in Nazi support 1930–32;
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Part 3: Nazi control and dictatorship, 1933– The Reichstag Fire and Enabling Act;
1945 elimination of opposition; the police state;
propaganda and censorship; Nazi policies on
the Church, youth, women and employment;
persecution of the Jews
2.2 Key Content Summary
Weimar Republic — strengths and weaknesses of the constitution
Strength Weakness
Universal suffrage (all adults over 20 could Proportional representation led to many
vote) small parties and weak coalition
