AQA GERMANY 1890 - 1945
How did 'Spectacular displays' play into Nazi propaganda? - ANS - 1) The Nazis used public
rallies to spread their propaganda. The annual Nuremberg Rallies focused on speeches by
leading Nazis, like Hitler and Goebbels. The 1934 Nuremberg Rally was recorded by
Riefenstahl in her film 'Triumph of the Will'.
2) One million people attended the 1936 rally. There were displays of lights and flags to greet
the arrival of Hitler. These made him look more powerful.
3) Sporting events like the 1936 Berlin Olympics were used to show off German wealth and
power. But the success of non-Aryan athletes like African-American Jesse Owens (who won
four Gold medals) undermined Hitler's message.
4) Nazi power was also shown through art and architecture, and grand new buildings appeared
in Nuremberg and Berlin.
\How did Germany become a police state? - ANS - 1) The Nazis wanted complete control over
the machinery of the government and people's lives.
2) Hitler's Enabling Act of 1933 allowed the government to read people's mail, listen in on their
phone calls, and search their homes without notice.
3) The Law for the Reconstruction of the Reich (1934) gave the Nazis total power over local
governments.
4) There were laws to sack civil servants who didn't support the Nazis and accept their rules.
5) The Nazis also made changes, to the justice system. Judges didn't have to be 'fair' and
unbiased. Instead, they were expected to make rulings that were in line with Nazi Party policy.
6) The Sicherheitdienst (SD) was the Nazi intelligence service. It was initially run by Reinhard
Heydrich - he aimed to bring every German under continual supervision.
\How did Germany prepare for 'total war' later in the war? - ANS - 1) After heavy defeats in
1942, Germany prepared itself for total war. In a speech made at the Berlin Sportpalast (sport
arena) in February 1943, Goebbels stated that "Total war is the demand of the hour... The
danger facing us [Germany] is enormous" and that "The efforts we [Germany] take to meet it
must be just as enormous."
2) Non-essential production (production not vital for the war) stopped, and small non-essential
businesses closed. Workers were used in war-related industries instead. Civilian clothes and
consumer goods were no longer manufactured. Rationing was a fact of life in Germany from the
very start of the war. Food supplies for ordinary families became much more restricted later on.
,More women were expected to work or join the army. Eventually, males between the ages of 13
and 60 who weren't already serving in the military had to join the Volkssturm - a part-time
defense force.
\How did Germany prepare for bombings? - ANS - 1) From 1940, Germany rapidly prepared for
bombing. Hundreds of community air raid shelters were built and Auxiliary hospitals and
emergency first-aid stations were also established to care for civilian injuries.
2) From 1942, the British and American air forces began bombing German cities more heavily.
Around half a million German civilians were killed, and many more were made homeless.
3) Germany was later flooded with refugees from other German territories and from cities like
Dresden, Berlin and Hamburg, which were all heavily bombed.
4) Germany struggled to deal with the growing number of refugees. There was little help for
people displaced by the war - most struggled to find food and shelter.
\How did Hitler gain power in Elections? - ANS - 1) By April 1932, the country was desperate for
a strong government. President Hindenburg had to stand for re-election because his term of
office had run out. He was a national hero, but Hitler decided to run against him. Despite
claiming he'd win easily, Hindenburg didn't win a majority in the first election. In the second
ballot he won 53% beating Hitler's 36.8%.
2) In July 1932, the Nazis won 230 seats in the elections for the Reichstag - more than any
other party. Hitler demanded to be made Chancellor, but Hindenburg didn't trust Hitler and
refused to appoint him. Then, in the election of 1932, the Nazis seemed to be losing popularity -
they lost 34 seats. But, Hitler struck a deal with another politician, Franz von Papen - if Papen
would persuade Hindenburg to make Hitler Chancellor, Hitler would then make Papen
Vice-Chancellor.
3) Hindenburg agreed to Papen's suggestion, thinking that he could control Hitler. But Hitler
used his new powers to call another election in March 1933, hoping to make the Nazis even
stronger in the Reichstag.
\How did Hitler remove his enemies through the Night of the Long Knives? - ANS - 1) Ernest
Röhm was the biggest threat to Hitler, but Hitler was also worried about other members of the
Nazi Party who disagreed with his views.
2) On the 29th-30th June 1934, Hitler sent men to arrest or kill Röhm and other leaders of the
SA. Hitler also used this opportunity to remove some of his political opponents. Altogether,
several hundred people were killed or imprisoned.
3) Hitler claimed that those who had been killed had been plotting to overthrow the government,
so he declared their murders legal. This became known as the 'Night of the Long Knives' - and
was a triumph for Hitler.
, 4) It stamped out all potential opposition within the Nazi Party and sent a powerful message to
the party about Hitler's ruthlessness and brutality. It also showed that Hitler was now free to act
above the law.
\How did Hitler suddenly suddenly rise to fame? - ANS - 1) Hitler entered German politics
around the time the Weimar Republic was formed. By the time the Nazi party was founded in
1920, he was growing in influence. In 1923, he tried to overthrow the Weimar government
people detested.
2) He began his political career in the German Workers' Party - a nationalist party led by Anton
Drexler. He joined it in January 1919, when he was still in the German army. He became known
for his talent as a passionate and skilled speaker, and crowds gathered to hear him talk.
3) In 1920, the party was re-branded as the National Socialist German Workers' Party (the Nazi
Party). In July 1921, Hitler became it's leader. In 1919, the party had around 60 members. By
the end of 1920, it had around 2000.
\How did Hitler take full control of National and Local government? - ANS - 1) In August 1934,
Hindenburg died. Hitler used the opportunity to combine the posts of Chancellor and President,
and also made himself Commander-in-Chief of the army.
2) He called himself Der Führer (the leader) - this was the beginning of the dictatorship. At this
point, Germany was reorganised into a number of provinces called a Gau, with a Gauleiter (a
loyal Nazi) in charge of each.
3) Above them were the Reichsleiters, who advised Hitler, e.g: Goebbels (who was in charge of
propaganda), Himmler (who was the chief of the German police). At the top and in absolute
control, was the Führer - Hitler. Every aspect of life was carefully controlled, and only loyal Nazis
could be successful.
\How did Hitler's personality attract support? - ANS - 1) Hitler was patriotic and energetic, and
was able to effectively get across his enthusiasm to his supporters. His speeches brought hope
to those who listened.
2) In the 1932 election campaigns, Hitler was depicted as Germany's saviour. He stood up to
the Weimar government and opposed communism.
3) He came across as a strong leader, which created a sharp contrast with the politicians of the
Weimar governments. Hitler's authority over the SA and his undisputed role as head of the Nazi
Party attracted support - many Germans had now lost faith in democracy.
\How did housing improve for the working classes in the 'Golden Years' of the Weimar republic?
- ANS - The government launched mass housing projects. More than 2 millions new homes
were built between 1924 and 1931. This also provided extra employment.
\How did members of the Church oppose Nazis? - ANS - 1) Martin Niemöller was a Protestant
pastor, a former U-boat (submarine) captain, and a one-time Nazi supporter. He objected to
Nazi interference in the Church, and was one of the founders of the Confessing Church. He
How did 'Spectacular displays' play into Nazi propaganda? - ANS - 1) The Nazis used public
rallies to spread their propaganda. The annual Nuremberg Rallies focused on speeches by
leading Nazis, like Hitler and Goebbels. The 1934 Nuremberg Rally was recorded by
Riefenstahl in her film 'Triumph of the Will'.
2) One million people attended the 1936 rally. There were displays of lights and flags to greet
the arrival of Hitler. These made him look more powerful.
3) Sporting events like the 1936 Berlin Olympics were used to show off German wealth and
power. But the success of non-Aryan athletes like African-American Jesse Owens (who won
four Gold medals) undermined Hitler's message.
4) Nazi power was also shown through art and architecture, and grand new buildings appeared
in Nuremberg and Berlin.
\How did Germany become a police state? - ANS - 1) The Nazis wanted complete control over
the machinery of the government and people's lives.
2) Hitler's Enabling Act of 1933 allowed the government to read people's mail, listen in on their
phone calls, and search their homes without notice.
3) The Law for the Reconstruction of the Reich (1934) gave the Nazis total power over local
governments.
4) There were laws to sack civil servants who didn't support the Nazis and accept their rules.
5) The Nazis also made changes, to the justice system. Judges didn't have to be 'fair' and
unbiased. Instead, they were expected to make rulings that were in line with Nazi Party policy.
6) The Sicherheitdienst (SD) was the Nazi intelligence service. It was initially run by Reinhard
Heydrich - he aimed to bring every German under continual supervision.
\How did Germany prepare for 'total war' later in the war? - ANS - 1) After heavy defeats in
1942, Germany prepared itself for total war. In a speech made at the Berlin Sportpalast (sport
arena) in February 1943, Goebbels stated that "Total war is the demand of the hour... The
danger facing us [Germany] is enormous" and that "The efforts we [Germany] take to meet it
must be just as enormous."
2) Non-essential production (production not vital for the war) stopped, and small non-essential
businesses closed. Workers were used in war-related industries instead. Civilian clothes and
consumer goods were no longer manufactured. Rationing was a fact of life in Germany from the
very start of the war. Food supplies for ordinary families became much more restricted later on.
,More women were expected to work or join the army. Eventually, males between the ages of 13
and 60 who weren't already serving in the military had to join the Volkssturm - a part-time
defense force.
\How did Germany prepare for bombings? - ANS - 1) From 1940, Germany rapidly prepared for
bombing. Hundreds of community air raid shelters were built and Auxiliary hospitals and
emergency first-aid stations were also established to care for civilian injuries.
2) From 1942, the British and American air forces began bombing German cities more heavily.
Around half a million German civilians were killed, and many more were made homeless.
3) Germany was later flooded with refugees from other German territories and from cities like
Dresden, Berlin and Hamburg, which were all heavily bombed.
4) Germany struggled to deal with the growing number of refugees. There was little help for
people displaced by the war - most struggled to find food and shelter.
\How did Hitler gain power in Elections? - ANS - 1) By April 1932, the country was desperate for
a strong government. President Hindenburg had to stand for re-election because his term of
office had run out. He was a national hero, but Hitler decided to run against him. Despite
claiming he'd win easily, Hindenburg didn't win a majority in the first election. In the second
ballot he won 53% beating Hitler's 36.8%.
2) In July 1932, the Nazis won 230 seats in the elections for the Reichstag - more than any
other party. Hitler demanded to be made Chancellor, but Hindenburg didn't trust Hitler and
refused to appoint him. Then, in the election of 1932, the Nazis seemed to be losing popularity -
they lost 34 seats. But, Hitler struck a deal with another politician, Franz von Papen - if Papen
would persuade Hindenburg to make Hitler Chancellor, Hitler would then make Papen
Vice-Chancellor.
3) Hindenburg agreed to Papen's suggestion, thinking that he could control Hitler. But Hitler
used his new powers to call another election in March 1933, hoping to make the Nazis even
stronger in the Reichstag.
\How did Hitler remove his enemies through the Night of the Long Knives? - ANS - 1) Ernest
Röhm was the biggest threat to Hitler, but Hitler was also worried about other members of the
Nazi Party who disagreed with his views.
2) On the 29th-30th June 1934, Hitler sent men to arrest or kill Röhm and other leaders of the
SA. Hitler also used this opportunity to remove some of his political opponents. Altogether,
several hundred people were killed or imprisoned.
3) Hitler claimed that those who had been killed had been plotting to overthrow the government,
so he declared their murders legal. This became known as the 'Night of the Long Knives' - and
was a triumph for Hitler.
, 4) It stamped out all potential opposition within the Nazi Party and sent a powerful message to
the party about Hitler's ruthlessness and brutality. It also showed that Hitler was now free to act
above the law.
\How did Hitler suddenly suddenly rise to fame? - ANS - 1) Hitler entered German politics
around the time the Weimar Republic was formed. By the time the Nazi party was founded in
1920, he was growing in influence. In 1923, he tried to overthrow the Weimar government
people detested.
2) He began his political career in the German Workers' Party - a nationalist party led by Anton
Drexler. He joined it in January 1919, when he was still in the German army. He became known
for his talent as a passionate and skilled speaker, and crowds gathered to hear him talk.
3) In 1920, the party was re-branded as the National Socialist German Workers' Party (the Nazi
Party). In July 1921, Hitler became it's leader. In 1919, the party had around 60 members. By
the end of 1920, it had around 2000.
\How did Hitler take full control of National and Local government? - ANS - 1) In August 1934,
Hindenburg died. Hitler used the opportunity to combine the posts of Chancellor and President,
and also made himself Commander-in-Chief of the army.
2) He called himself Der Führer (the leader) - this was the beginning of the dictatorship. At this
point, Germany was reorganised into a number of provinces called a Gau, with a Gauleiter (a
loyal Nazi) in charge of each.
3) Above them were the Reichsleiters, who advised Hitler, e.g: Goebbels (who was in charge of
propaganda), Himmler (who was the chief of the German police). At the top and in absolute
control, was the Führer - Hitler. Every aspect of life was carefully controlled, and only loyal Nazis
could be successful.
\How did Hitler's personality attract support? - ANS - 1) Hitler was patriotic and energetic, and
was able to effectively get across his enthusiasm to his supporters. His speeches brought hope
to those who listened.
2) In the 1932 election campaigns, Hitler was depicted as Germany's saviour. He stood up to
the Weimar government and opposed communism.
3) He came across as a strong leader, which created a sharp contrast with the politicians of the
Weimar governments. Hitler's authority over the SA and his undisputed role as head of the Nazi
Party attracted support - many Germans had now lost faith in democracy.
\How did housing improve for the working classes in the 'Golden Years' of the Weimar republic?
- ANS - The government launched mass housing projects. More than 2 millions new homes
were built between 1924 and 1931. This also provided extra employment.
\How did members of the Church oppose Nazis? - ANS - 1) Martin Niemöller was a Protestant
pastor, a former U-boat (submarine) captain, and a one-time Nazi supporter. He objected to
Nazi interference in the Church, and was one of the founders of the Confessing Church. He
