1. The aristocratic elites successfully maintained their dominance in
Germany in the years 1871 to 1900'. Assess the validity of this view
2. In the years 1871 to 1890, Germany became more socially and
economically divided'. Assess the validity of this view
3. The economic growth of Germany, in the years 1871 to 1890, was
due to government policies’. Assess the validity of this view.
4. ‘The power of the masses, which had steadily been growing since
the 1890s, was demonstrated in the overthrow of the Kaiser in 1918’
Assess the validity of this view.
5. To what extent did opposition in the Reichstag influence Kaiser
Wilhelm II’s government, in the years 1890 to 1914?
6. How successful was the Kaiser’s government in asserting its political
authority within Germany in the years 1890 to 1914?
7. To what extent was the German economy stronger at the beginning
of 1929 than it had been in 1900?
8. ‘German society was fundamentally changed as a result of the First
World War’. Assess the validity of this this in the context of the years
1900 to 1929
9. ‘Communist opposition posed a serious threat to the governments of
Germany in the years 1929 to 1939’. Assess the validity of this view.
10. ‘The growth of extremist right-wing movements, in the years
1919 to 1939, was due to the impact of the First World War on
Germany’
11. ‘A Golden Age followed by a Dark Age’. To what extent do you
agree with this view of German culture between the years 1923 and
1945
12. ‘The governments of Germany dealt effectively with the
economic challenges they faced in the years 1923 to 1945’. Assess
the validity of this view
13. ‘The lives of working-class Germans improved throughout the
years 1918 to 1939’. Assess the validity of this view
14. ‘The recovery of the economy under the Nazis in the 1930s
was more impressive than the recovery of the West German
economy after the Second World War’. Assess the validity of this
view (2 different ways to answer it)
15. How effectively was democracy established in West Germany
in the years 1949 to 1969?
16. How far was the dominance of the CDU/CSU, in the years 1949
to 1969, due to the weaknesses of the other political parties
17. ‘Extra-parliamentary opposition posed a significant threat to
the stability of West Germany in the years 1966 to 1989’
Page 1 of 81
, The aristocratic elites successfully maintained their dominance
in Germany in the years 1871 to 1900'. Assess the validity of
this view
Political
✅ FOR: The aristocratic elites maintained political dominance
Constitution of 1871:
o Created a federal monarchy dominated by Prussia; Prussia had 17 out of
58 seats in the Bundesrat and could veto any change.
o The Kaiser (from the Prussian Hohenzollern dynasty) and the Chancellor
(usually a Junker) held executive power, limiting parliamentary influence.
Junker class control:
o Most Chancellors during this period were aristocrats (e.g., Otto von
Bismarck, Caprivi); the Prussian Junker elite dominated civil service and
military.
o Prussian three-class voting system (especially at the state level) favoured
the wealthy and ensured that aristocrats retained political control, even as
other parties grew.
Bundesrat over Reichstag:
o The Reichstag was elected by universal male suffrage, but had limited power
(couldn’t initiate legislation, had no control over the Chancellor).
o Real legislative power lay with the Bundesrat, controlled by elites,
especially Prussians.
Suppression of opposition:
o Bismarck’s Anti-Socialist Laws (1878–1890) were used to weaken the
SPD and maintain the aristocracy’s grip on power.
o Centre Party and Socialists gained votes but had limited real influence
over policy.
Control of the army:
o The army was led by aristocratic officers, loyal to the Kaiser and conservative
order.
Page 2 of 81
Germany in the years 1871 to 1900'. Assess the validity of this view
2. In the years 1871 to 1890, Germany became more socially and
economically divided'. Assess the validity of this view
3. The economic growth of Germany, in the years 1871 to 1890, was
due to government policies’. Assess the validity of this view.
4. ‘The power of the masses, which had steadily been growing since
the 1890s, was demonstrated in the overthrow of the Kaiser in 1918’
Assess the validity of this view.
5. To what extent did opposition in the Reichstag influence Kaiser
Wilhelm II’s government, in the years 1890 to 1914?
6. How successful was the Kaiser’s government in asserting its political
authority within Germany in the years 1890 to 1914?
7. To what extent was the German economy stronger at the beginning
of 1929 than it had been in 1900?
8. ‘German society was fundamentally changed as a result of the First
World War’. Assess the validity of this this in the context of the years
1900 to 1929
9. ‘Communist opposition posed a serious threat to the governments of
Germany in the years 1929 to 1939’. Assess the validity of this view.
10. ‘The growth of extremist right-wing movements, in the years
1919 to 1939, was due to the impact of the First World War on
Germany’
11. ‘A Golden Age followed by a Dark Age’. To what extent do you
agree with this view of German culture between the years 1923 and
1945
12. ‘The governments of Germany dealt effectively with the
economic challenges they faced in the years 1923 to 1945’. Assess
the validity of this view
13. ‘The lives of working-class Germans improved throughout the
years 1918 to 1939’. Assess the validity of this view
14. ‘The recovery of the economy under the Nazis in the 1930s
was more impressive than the recovery of the West German
economy after the Second World War’. Assess the validity of this
view (2 different ways to answer it)
15. How effectively was democracy established in West Germany
in the years 1949 to 1969?
16. How far was the dominance of the CDU/CSU, in the years 1949
to 1969, due to the weaknesses of the other political parties
17. ‘Extra-parliamentary opposition posed a significant threat to
the stability of West Germany in the years 1966 to 1989’
Page 1 of 81
, The aristocratic elites successfully maintained their dominance
in Germany in the years 1871 to 1900'. Assess the validity of
this view
Political
✅ FOR: The aristocratic elites maintained political dominance
Constitution of 1871:
o Created a federal monarchy dominated by Prussia; Prussia had 17 out of
58 seats in the Bundesrat and could veto any change.
o The Kaiser (from the Prussian Hohenzollern dynasty) and the Chancellor
(usually a Junker) held executive power, limiting parliamentary influence.
Junker class control:
o Most Chancellors during this period were aristocrats (e.g., Otto von
Bismarck, Caprivi); the Prussian Junker elite dominated civil service and
military.
o Prussian three-class voting system (especially at the state level) favoured
the wealthy and ensured that aristocrats retained political control, even as
other parties grew.
Bundesrat over Reichstag:
o The Reichstag was elected by universal male suffrage, but had limited power
(couldn’t initiate legislation, had no control over the Chancellor).
o Real legislative power lay with the Bundesrat, controlled by elites,
especially Prussians.
Suppression of opposition:
o Bismarck’s Anti-Socialist Laws (1878–1890) were used to weaken the
SPD and maintain the aristocracy’s grip on power.
o Centre Party and Socialists gained votes but had limited real influence
over policy.
Control of the army:
o The army was led by aristocratic officers, loyal to the Kaiser and conservative
order.
Page 2 of 81
