These four summary sheets cover the entirety of the AQA GCSE History topic ‘Germany and Dictatorship’. Including key dates and key words, these posters have everything you need to ace your exams!
GERMANY: SUMMARY SHEET ONE
KEY DATES KAISER WILHELM II
Germany unified as a nation (1871) Kaiser Wilhelm II, grandson of Queen Victoria, came to power in 1888. The Kaiser is a hereditary position. The Kaiser
Kaiser Wilhelm II in power (1888) had great aims for Germany and wanted to make it a world power, although faced problems:
First Naval Law Introduced (1898) 1. Industrialisation – Kaiser is determined to industrialise Germany. This leads to the rise of socialism.
Start of World War One (1914) 2. Control Of Political System – Kaiser ignores parliament as does not want chancellor to have power
End of World War One (1918) 3. A Place In The Sun – Kaiser wants an empire. This leads to socialist opposition and conflict with Britain.
Spartacists Revolt (1919)
Kapp Putsch (1920)
Red Rising in the Ruhr (1920) WOLRD WAR ONE
Assassinations (1919 – 1922) After what began a powerful war, Germany end WW1 in 1918, feeling betrayed and defeated. The war had great
Munich Putsch (1923) impact on Germany and led to social problems (people wanted to go back to a “traditional life”), economic problems
Hyperinflation (1923) (needed to pay back loans) and political problems – after the Kaiser’s abdication, Germany’s political system changes
overnight! This new government are forced to sign the Treaty of Versailles, whose terms can be remembered as
LAMB. (Land, Army, Money Blame)
KEY WORDS
Weltpolitik – Global Power
Reichstag – German Parliament THE WEIMAR CONSTITUTION
Bundesrat – A group of state sent The Weimar Constitution were often described as the “November Criminals” after signing the Treaty of Versailles.
representatives who help decide laws The Weimar Constitution allowed all men and women over the age of 20 to vote. The new government was led by
Militarism – The belief a country Frederic Ebert, and although democratic, had many weaknesses. Article 48 allowed the President to make laws
should have strong armed forces without consulting parliament, and proportional representation made it impossible for one party to get a majority.
THREATS TO THE WEIMAR CONSTITUTION
Spartacists Revolt – Communists tried to start a revolution but did not get the support they were hoping for. Assassinations – Many November Criminals were killed
by right wing extremists. Kapp Putsch – Wolfgang Kapp marched troops into Berlin and took over the capital, Kapp soon fled abroad. Red Rising in the Ruhr – Left
wing workers in the Ruhr went on strike. Munich Putsch – Hitler attempted to seize control of Bavarian government; 24-day trial was fully broadcast. All in all, right
wing were hugely sympathised towards, whereas left wing uprisings were quickly and brutally shut down.
HYPERINFLATION
Hyperinflation occurred in 1923. French and Belgium troops invaded the Ruhr in response to Germany’s failure to pay owed reparation. German workers ordered to
go on strike, so as workers spent more money at shops, prices increase. Soon, a loaf of bread cost over a billion marks. Hyperinflation was a win for those who had
borrowed money or had to pay off debts. Hyperinflation was a loss for those with savings, small businesses or those on a fixed income (e.g pension). Economic
hardship bred political extremism.
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