Cognitive Question Cards, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

PAGE 1, Treaty of Versailles

1 Outline the views of President Wilson to peace-making in 1919. [5]

MAJOR VIEW. Prevent war through open diplomacy between the great powers and fairness for individual states.

Support evidence, 14 points, self-determination for countries, fair peace for Germany, all countries accept responsibility for war, League of Nations used to settle disputes in future.

2 Describe the main concerns of Lloyd George and Clemenceau at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. [5]

Clemenceau, REVENGE on Germany and SECURITY for France against a future German attack. Evidence, Alsace Lorraine removed, Rhineland demilitarised, Army reduced to 100000 men, reparations of £6.6 Billion.

Lloyd George, weaken Germany’s empire and navy, BUT keep her as a strong trading partner. Evidence, No German warships permitted, German colonies to Britain and France, Lloyd George argued for lower reparations and a larger German army (but France won the argument).

3 Explain why there were disagreements between the Big Three at the peace talks in Paris in 1919. [10]

Different aims of the Big Three contradicted each other. These different aims lead to disagreement.

USA wants to prevent future war, by treating Germany fairly and encouraging countries to work together. The USA is more lenient because fewer casualties and more reliance on trade.

France wants revenge, because damage to infrastructure, causalities, previous territorial loses. They also want to prevent German Aggression in future, so they can never be invaded again.

Britain want some punishment because of casualties, but want fair peace too so they can trade with Germany. They also want to keep their empire, so do not want to give up naval power or their empire.

4 Explain why there were protests against the Treaty of Versailles when it was issued in 1919. [10]

The German people saw the treaty as unfair:

Some Germans found themselves in another country (e.g. Alsace Lorraine, West Prussia).

Soldiers were disbanded by the treaty, and became members of the Freikorps, who protested against the treaty.

Reparations were too high, they caused hardship for people which encouraged protests against the treaty.

The Weimar republic accepted the treaty without negotiation.

Germany had signed an armistice in 1918 and did not just surrender. They expected to negotiate a peace.

The war guilt clause put all the blame for the war on Germany. This made is easy for extremist groups (Freikorps and Nazis) to protest against the treaty

PAGE 2, League of Nations

5 Outline the setting up of the League of Nations in 1919-20 [5]

AIMS: Set up to stop war, improve living conditions, disarmament and enforce the league of nations.

Methods: Get countries to work together within the League to solve these problems. The council and assembly encouraged this while the court of international justice solved problems.

SANCTIONS: If countries did not cooperate they could be condemned, face economic sanctions or military force.

6 Explain why the League of Nations had so much popular support when it was established. [10]

World war I. Millions had died during the war, many people wanted a better future. Working together and getting rid of armaments were seen as good ways of preventing war.

President Wilson. He believed secret diplomacy and selfish countries were the main cause of

the first world war. His idea of a League was very popular and caught people’s imagination.

Seen as a better solution than the treaty of Versailles by many people.

7 Explain why the humanitarian work of the League in the 1920s is generally seen as a success. [10]

Got countries to work together on social issues for the first time.

Refugees, 400000 returned home after the war

Working conditions, 48 hour week, no child labour, no poisonous paint.

Health, Helped fight malaria and leprosy.

Human rights, fought successful campaigns against drugs and slavery.

PAGE 3, League of Nations in the 1920s

8 Outline the attempts by the League of Nations to maintain international peace in the 1920s. [5]

Successful when dealing with smaller countries who were happy to negotiate with the League. E.g. Upper Silesia 1921, Aaland Islands 1921, Greek Bulgarian Dispute 1925.

Unsuccessful when dealing with stronger countries who could use force to get what they wanted and were prepared to ignore the League. E.g. Vilna 1920, Corfu 1923

PAGE 4, League in the 1930s

9 Describe the effect of the worldwide economic depression on international relations. [5]

It made countries more selfish, because they could not get what they wanted through trade and their people demand a better deal.

Strong countries like Britain and France try to stay out of trouble, because they cannot afford to fight wars against aggressive countries, e.g. Hoare-Laval Pact, Lytton Commission.

Other countries become dictatorships, because people want strong leadership. They take what they need from other countries by force, e.g. Manchurian 1931, Abyssinia 1935.

10 Describe the main events of the Manchurian crisis 1931-33. [5]

Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931after an explosion at Mukden railway station. This was an excuse to taking over the coal mines in the country

China appeals to the League for help

The League sets up the Lytton commission to investigate. After a year they blame Japan.

In 1932 Japan declares Manchuria will become a new country called Manchukuo, and make Pu Yi, an ex-Chinese emperor its ruler.

The League refused to oppose sanctions on Japan and only condemned the invasion.

Japan left the League in 1933.

11 Explain why the Depression had such a bad effect on international relations. [10]

Made it harder for countries to buy the things they need, so they become more aggressive.

America stops trading with the rest of the world and call in loans from Germany.

Germany cannot pay its debts, which leads to unemployment and businesses going bust. This leads to Hitler becoming Chancellor of Germany and a more aggressive German foreign policy.

Japan finds it more difficult to sell goods to pay for its raw materials. So it invades Manchuria to gain raw materials.

Italy decides to invade Abyssinia in 1936 to create an empire it can trade with in future. It made the members of the League more reluctant to take action against aggression

In the Manchurian crisis Britain and France still want to trade with Japan, and do not want to impose sanctions in 1932.

In the Abyssinian crisis 1935 Britain and France want to trade with Italy, so they try to buy Italy off with the Hoare-Laval Pact, giving Italy part of Abyssinia.

When Germany reoccupies the Rhineland Britain and France do not want to pay for a war with Germany so they take no action to stop it.

12 1. ‘The most serious challenge to international relations 1929-33 was the Manchurian crisis.’ Explain how far you agree. [10]

YES, because it was a direct challenge to the League’s authority

The League was indecisive, for two years no action was taken, just the Lytton commission.

No sanctions were taken against Japan, this encourages Germany and Italy.

Japan leaves the League, this weakens it and encourages Germany and Italy to leave too. NO, because the Wall Street Crash and Disarmament crisis did more long term damage.

The Wall Street crash encouraged countries like Japan to be more aggressive to gain resources they could no longer trade.

It leads to Hitler gaining power in Germany due to unemployment and economic problems there.

It made it more difficult for Britain and France to support the League against aggression, they are worried about trade.

It undermined the disarmament conference, which made war more likely in the future.

PAGE 5, League in the 1930s

13 Outline the main events of the Abyssinian crisis. [5]

October 1935, Italy attacked the town of Abbyssian town of Wal Wal with gas

Haile Selassie emperor of Abyssinia complains to the League

The League does nothing, while Britain and France sign the Stresa Pact with Italy. This encourages Italy.

Finally the League sends a committee to investigate, and recommended no one was to blame and Italy should get some land. Italy refuses.

The League then suggest sanctions, but this rejected by Britain.

In 1936 the secret Hoare-Laval Plan becomes public, this offered Italy most of Abyssinia.

The Plan is rejected, so Italy invades Abyssinia. France and Britain take no action, because they are now more worried about Germany than Italy.

PAGE 6, Hitler’s foreign policy, the road to appeasement

14 Outline the actions of Adolf Hitler in the period 1933-37. [5]

Becomes Chancellor January 1933. In the same year he leaves the League and starts rearming Germany. At first this is secret but by 1935 he no longer hides his actions.

The Saar is returned to Germany after people voted to return, the coal is used to power armament factories.

1936, Hitler reoccupies the Rhineland. France and Britain do nothing to stop him. Britain see it as “his own backyard” and France suffers from strikes and riots.

1936, Hitler sends troops to the Spanish civil war, giving his new troops combat experience.

1937, signs the Axis agreement with Italy and Japan, pledging support for each other and opposition to communism.

PAGE 7-8, Appeasing Hitler

15 Describe the policy of Appeasement followed by Britain and France in the 1930s. [5]

The idea of listening to German demands and compromising with Hitler to avoid war and prevent conflict.

Examples include allowing Germany to reoccupy the Rhineland (1936) and join with Austria (1938). The most famous example was the Sudetenland crisis is 1938, where Germany was given the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia but in return was told to make no more demands for territory in Europe.

France and Britain were both in favour of appeasement because they wanted to avoid another world war and they were worried about their financial weakness following the Wall Street crash.

16 Explain why international relations became worse in the period 1933-38. [10]

Dictators were prepared to be more aggressive to achieve their aims

Germany had a new leader, Adolf Hitler, who was prepared to break the treaty of Versailles. E.g. rearmament 1933-35, Rhineland 1936, Anschluss with Austria 1938.

Japan invaded China and left the League of Nations

Italy invaded Abyssinia. The League of Nations was not supported by Britain or France, who preferred appeasement. This encouraged aggression

France and Britain failed to support sanctions against Manchuria (1933) or Abyssinia (1936), encouraging Japan and Italy to ignore the League.

The Hoare-Laval Plan undermined the League’s attempts to deal with Italy (1936)

Britain ignored the League and negotiated directly with Hitler during the Sudetenland crisis (1938). This encouraged further aggression.

17 Explain why Appeasement is considered one of the main causes of the Second World War. [10]

It encouraged Germany to be more aggressive, and this lead to the start of world war II

Adolf Hitler kept pushing for more territory because he believed Britain and France were not prepared to stop him. E.g. rearmament 1933-35, Rhineland 1936, Anschluss with Austria 1938, Sudetenland crisis 1938, invasion of Czechoslovakia, invasion of Poland.

Germany might have been stopped if Britain and France had stood up to Germany sooner

Hitler was ready to back down during the Rhineland reoccupation if resisted.

The Austrian and Czechoslovakian governments wanted to stand up to Hitler but needed support to do it.

By 1939 the Soviet Union did not trust Britain and France to stand up to Germany, so they signed the Nazi Soviet Pact (1939) instead.

PAGE 15, Cold War Beginnings

18 Outline Soviet actions in Eastern Europe 1945-48. [5]

The USSR took control of Eastern Europe as their sphere of influence.

They used salami tactics to forcibly take control of Eastern Europe which included removing the monarchy, banning political parties, rigging elections and using the secret police.

This included placing a Communist government in Poland against the promises the USSR made in the Yalta conference. Poland was an important country for the allies since they went to war to protect in 1939 against the Nazis.

Blockaded West Berlin after the Americans introduced the Deutschmark in 1948.

19 Outline the relations between the superpowers in the years 1945-49. [5]

USA did not trust the USSR because of the takeover of Eastern Europe and the lack of freedom for the countries taken over by the USSR.

The USSR did not trust the USA because they had an atomic bomb and America was giving financial help to the USSR’s enemies.

20 Outline the actions of the USA in Europe in the period 1947-49. [5]

The USA did not trust the USSR but would coexist with the Eastern European countries already under Soviet control.

The US pumped money into Europe to prevent Communism spreading to countries such as Greece, Italy and Turkey. The Truman Doctrine was provocative because it promised to protect freedom and through containment to prevent Communism spreading.

Introduced the Deutschmark in West Berlin (1948) and flew in supplies to the city after it was blockaded by the Soviet Union.

In 1949 the US helped form NATO which was a military alliance against Communist countries.

21 Explain why the superpowers disagreed so violently over Europe in the years 1945-49. [10]

USSR wanted security from future attacks, they insist on taking over Eastern Europe and punishing Germany for this reason. They are suspicious of anyone who does not support this. They are also nervous about nuclear weapons being used against them in future

USA want a lasting peace and freedom for all the countries that had been conquered by Germany. They are suspicious of the Soviet takeover of Eastern Europe and the size of the Red army. They see nuclear weapons as a way of stopping the USSR from taking over any more countries.

22 Outline the Berlin crisis of 1961. [5]

People in East Germany were unhappy because of the Stasi, government corruption and poor living standards.

By 1961 thousands of Germans were escaping to Western Germany, these workers were important for the German economy

To stop this the East Germans built a war to prevent Germans from leaving. This lead to the threat of war in October 1961, but afterwards both sides accepted the wall.

23 Explain why the USA clashed with the USSR over Berlin in 1961. [10]

One reason was that many refugees were fleeing East Germany. Most of these refugees were disillusioned with life in the East, which had a lower standard of living and less political freedom. The East German government and the USSR built a wall to stop these refugees in 1961.

Another reason was that the Soviet leader Khrushchev thought he could gain a propaganda victory over the USA, and possibly even take control of West Berlin. In 1961 the USA had a new

leader, John F Kennedy. Khrushchev thought that he would be able to intimidate and humiliate Kennedy who was relatively young and inexperienced. Kennedy had suffered a disaster at the Bay of Pigs in 1961 and Khrushchev took the opportunity to press Kennedy to remove US troops from Berlin. Khrushchev thought that Kennedy would back down and give him control of Berlin. In fact, Kennedy resisted and sent more US troops to Berlin.

24 Study Interpretation A. Do you think this interpretation is a fair comment on Chamberlain and the policy of Appeasement? Use your knowledge and other interpretations of Appeasement to support your answer. [25] Interpretation A: British historian Louise Shaw, writing in 1987. To the dismay of his British colleagues and his French allies Chamberlain alone, motivated by his anti-Bolshevik prejudice, deliberately sabotaged the chance of an Anglo-Soviet alliance in 1939. Such an alliance would have been a workable solution for discouraging, or if necessary defeating, Hitler.

Which interpretation is it, what does it say

The interpretation is “Chamberlain back on trial”. Louise Shaw had access to new documents which showed that the USSR had tried to work with Britain but had been rejected by Chamberlain. This lead to the Nazi Soviet Pact and the start of world war II

Which interpretations support, how valid are they

The Guilty men interpretation would agree with this interpretation. They personally blamed Chamberlain and his advisors for failing to stand up against Hitler. However, this interpretation was influenced by the events of 1940, which were disastrous and therefore the writers wanted someone to blame. It has been discredited since because it is too negative. The rehabilitating Chamberlain in the dock interpretation would also agree with this interpretation. This interpretation was presented by Churchill, who portrayed Chamberlain as a decent man who was wrong about appeasement. This was written during the cold war and Churchill did not want politicians to repeat the mistakes of the 1930s. It also made Churchill look good, because he had consistently opposed appeasement. It was in his interest to discredit Chamberlain.

Which interpretations oppose it, how valid are they

The well done Chamberlain interpretation would disagree; they would see appeasement as an honourable policy to prevent war. In the 1930s appeasement was popular; many remembered the cost of World War I and did not want to experience this again. Other politicians at the time would also not have trusted Stalin, who had been responsible for millions of Russian deaths during the 1930s. However, this interpretation is now seen as too positive, because it failed to prevent the Second World War and actually contributed to the rise of Germany. The rehabilitating Chamberlain interpretation lead by AJP Taylor would also disagree, because British resources were stretched across the Empire, the USA would not support Britain and Stalin could not be trusted as a reliable ally against Germany. This view point was supported by Stalin’s actions in 1945, when he occupied Eastern Europe, leading to the Cold war. This view was influenced by the Vietnam War, which was unpopular, and some new government documents, which showed the weakness of Britain’s position in the 1930s. This made it more favourable to Chamberlain.

Overall, how valid in interpretation A

Overall Interpretation A makes a valid point about how Chamberlain could have made more effort to negotiate with Stalin, but does not acknowledge the difficulties that Chamberlain faced because of Britain’s position and public opinion in the 1930s.

25 Study Interpretation B. Explain why not all historians and commentators have agreed with this interpretation. Use other interpretations and your knowledge to support your answer. [20] Interpretation F: John Lewis Gaddis writing in his book ‘We Now Know: Rethinking the Cold War, 1999’. As long as Stalin was running the Soviet Union a cold war was unavoidable. Stalin waged cold war incessantly: within the international system, within his alliances, within his country, within his party, within his personal entourage, [and] even within his family. Most importantly, Stalin was a

revolutionary. He never gave up on the idea of an eventual world revolution, but he expected this to result… from an expansion of influence emanating from the Soviet Union itself.’

Which interpretation is it, put in context

John Lewis Gaddis is one of the new cold war historians, he saw Stalin’s aggressive takeover of Eastern Europe as the main reason for the cold war. He based this interpretation on new documents coming out of Russia, which showed that Stalin was a ruthless dictator. He took away freedom from people in Eastern Europe and stole their resources for his own benefit. The USA and its allies had no option but to resist.

Compare to one which disagrees, with reasons why

Other new cold war historians have disagreed. Michael Cox and Caroline Kennedy Pipe have used Russian documents to show that the Marshall Plan and atomic weapons provoked the USSR into controlling Eastern Europe. Stalin had already faced an invasion from Germany that lead to huge loss of life. Now the USA was giving financial help to non-communist countries and was threatening the USSR with nuclear weapons.

Compare to another which disagrees, with reasons why

The post revisionist view also disagreed, blaming American aggression for the start of the cold war. The policy of containment was a deliberate attempt to limit communism, which was given teeth by the formation of NATO. The Marshall plan also seen as deliberately provocative, because it was supporting capitalist countries and enabled the USA to increase its economic influence. The post revisionist view was influenced by the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1959, which some historians saw as an attempt by the USA to expand its empire. It was also influenced by the Vietnam war, which was very unpopular and also seen as the USA interfering in another countries business. Later it was seen as too extreme, because it ignored the actions of the USSR at the start of the Cold War.

Overall, why do other interpretations disagree

John Lewis Gaddis put the blame for the Cold War on Stalin and the USSR. Some interpretations see this as too one sided and disagree because American was also to blame because containment and the Marshall Plan both threatened the Soviet Union.

26 Describe the main events of the Cuban crisis of 1962. [5]

14 October, a U2 spy plane spotted nuclear missile launchers on Cuba

Excomm formed to advise President Kennedy

Naval blockade set up around Cuba, Kennedy announced this on TV on the 22 October

Secret meeting on 26 October between Robert Kennedy and Soviet ambassador. Both agreed to withdraw the blockade. Later Soviet missiles were removed from Cuba and Us missiles were removed from Turkey.

27 Which was a more serious threat to world peace: the Berlin crisis of 1961 or the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962? [10]

The Cuban missile crisis was the most serious because the USA and USSR came closer to Nuclear war. Soviet missiles on Cuba lead forced the USA to put a naval blockade around Cuba. Both the USA and USSR were under pressure to not back down, increasing the tension between the 14 and 26 October. During the crisis Soviet ships and US forces could easily have clashed, leading to a nuclear war. Only the agreement on the 26 October prevented this from happening.

The Berlin crisis was less serious because the building of the war in 1961 lead threats from both sides, but no additional build up of military forces in Germany. Both sides were not prepared to fight a war over Berlin so the wall was accepted by the USA.

28 Outline the actions of the USA in Vietnam in the period 1954-72. [5]

Supported Ngo Dinh Diem, leading to the creation of South Vietnam in 1954

Military advisors sent to support South Vietnam army until 1965

Direct military involvement between 1965 and 1972. This included search and destroy missions, bombing and use of chemical weapons.

Peace deal lead to an American withdrawal in 1973.

29 Outline the main events of the Soviet war in Afghanistan 1979-89. [5]

1978 Taraki overthrows the Afghanistan government and sets up a communist state.

The communist government brought in unpopular reforms, local warlords start fighting with communist government. They get help from the USA.

Soviet Union invaded in 1979. This lead to trade sanctions against the USSR and many countries boycotting the Moscow Olympics.

USA gave funding to the Mujahadim, making it impossible for the USSR to defeat the revolt.

Gorbachov took over in 1986, this lead to people in Soviet Union learning more about the war and turning against it.

USSR withdrew in 1989,

30 Explain why the USA failed in Vietnam. [10]

The tactics of the Viet Cong

Guerrilla warfare was hard to defeat (tunnels, traps, not knowing who the enemy was), people disliked the South Vietnam government, the Ho Chi Min trail kept them supplied.

American attitudes turned against the war

Tet Offensive (1968) shocked the people, they were not expecting to lose.

The media were more critical of the war.

The My Lai Massacre was shocking to American people, between 300-400 innocent civilians were killed in a massacre.

Protests and pressure lead to the end of the war in 1972.

31 In what ways were the Vietnam War and the war in Afghanistan similar? [10]

They both saw a superpower humiliated

USA and USSR both failed to win in each conflict. The Viet Cong and Mujahadim both used guerrilla warfare to wear down the enemy. Both also benefited from support and armies from the other super power during the cold war. Examples include communists supplying the Viet cong though the Ho Chi Min trail and the mujahadim being provided with stinger missiles by the USA. The governments supported by both super powers were also unpopular, which made it difficult to defeat rebel forces.

People turned against each war in both countries

The my Lai massacre and Tet offensive in Vietnam lead to the press and public turning against the war by the end of the 1960s. In the USSR Gorbachov coming to power made Soviet citizens more aware of the casualties of the war, because the press were allowed to report more negatively.

32 Describe the actions of Ronald Reagan towards the USSR in the 1980s. [5]

Massive increase in defence spending in the 1980s, with a larger army and new weapons such as the stealth bomber.

Development of SDI (Star wars), a plan to knock out nuclear missiles, upsetting the balance between USA and USSR.

USSR described as the evil empire, which started an arms race the USSR could not afford.

33 Describe the changes that Mikhail Gorbachev brought about in the 1980s. [5]

Glasnost, more open media, people know more about the economy and war in Afghanistan. Perestroika, economic reform, allow people to trade for profit.

34 Why did the USSR collapse in 1991? [10]

The removal of Soviet forces in Eastern Europe weakened the USSR. There was a big increase in anti-government activity that weakened communist regimes in Eastern Europe. This lead to open elections in Poland, a revolution in Romania and the fall of the Berlin Wall. The reunification of Germany further weakened the USSR.

The Politburo was angry with this turn of events, blamed Gorbachev and attempted to overthrow him in 1991. This attempt failed, but then lead to Boris Yeltsin demanding independence. This finally lead to Gorbachev dissolving the Soviet Union on 25 December 1991.

35 What caused the end of the Cold War? [10]

US pressure on the USSR. Reagan massively increased spending, developing weapons such as the stealth bomber and increasing the size of the army. In particular he spend money on SDI (the strategic defence initiative), a plan to protect the USA with a network of satellites with lasers that were supposed to shoot down enemy missiles. This all put huge pressure on the USSR.

The USSR was also under major financial pressure which put it under pressure to end the cold war. No major change had taken place since the 1960s and it was falling behind. This lead to new leadership under Gorbachev, improvements to the economy (perestroika) and political freedom (glasnost) to help the USSR recover. This also included improved relationships with the USA. This included the INF treaty and START which both reduced the number of nuclear weapons held by both sides.

36 Outline the development of al-Qaeda in the 1990s [5]

After the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan a resistance movement called the Mujahadim was formed. This believed that Islam was under threat from foreign countries particularly in the west. Osama Bin Laden broke away and formed al Queda, he was the son of a Saudi oil billionaire who became angry when Saudi Arabia turned to America when Kuwait was invaded in 1991. He then joined forces with the Taliban in Afghanistan and used the country as a base to launch terrorist attacks in the west and Israel.

37 Explain why al-Qaeda attacked the USA on 11 September 2001. [10]

Al Queda believed that Islam was under threat from foreign countries particularly in the west. For example the USA supported Israel despite the fact they had driven out the Palestinians from their country. This also gave support to countries such as Saudi Arabia, which were seen to be undermining Islam.

Al-Queda wanted to encourage Arabs to rise up against the west and the governments supported by the West. By attacking the USA they hoped to provoke a reaction, which would lead to US attacks on the Arab world. They also wanted to raise the profile of al-Queda as the leader of Arabs against the West.

Part 2: Germany 1925-55: Democracy to

dictatorship to division

Cognitive Question Cards, GERMANY

1 Describe one example of the effects of the Depression on Germany 1929-33. [2]

EITHER would work.

Unemployment, 6 million lost jobs because loans from the USA were cut, which meant businesses went bust and taxes went up. Fewer jobs meant people bought less, which lead to further inflation.

Rise of extremist parties because people are worse off due to the depression. Politicians cannot form governments because of proportional representation, so people vote for the Nazis or communists instead

2 Describe one example of the campaign methods used by the Nazis in elections 1929-33. [2]

Hitler would use speeches to reveal how the Weimar government had failed to deliver and how political parties such as the Social Democrats could not solve the problem.

Goebbels would produce propaganda posters suggesting that Hitler was Germany’s last hope.

Hitler used slogans such as work and bread to encourage workers to believe in him.

Hitler promised businesses that he would get the economy working and they gave the Nazi party funds.

3 Describe one example of Hitler’s actions in 1933-34. [2]

4 Explain why the Nazis were able to gain so much support in the period 1929-33. [10]

Firstly, the Wall Street Crash created a Great Depression in Germany that was hitting the middle and working classes. Unemployment reached 6 million and in despair German people were voting for extremist parties. Therefore, the Nazi and Communist vote increased in the elections from 1930 – 1932.

Secondly, the Nazis were experts at propaganda and saturated media images showing positive Nazi policies, combined with Hitler’s great speeches and promises of work and bread were identified by the people. Business leaders wanted Hitler and liked his plans to get the economy moving. The workers believed that Hitler could provide employment. This was enough for the German people to consider that the Nazis were their chance of getting out of the depression and there was a massive surge in electoral support.

5 Explain how the Nazis consolidated their hold on power in the period 1933-34. [10]

By removing opposition from outside the party

The Reichstag fire which occurred on February 27th 1933 altered the election campaign and led to the Nazis having increased emergency powers.

Hindenburg gave the Nazis the Law For The Protection of People and State with the Hitler convincing him of the Communist threat. This was used by the Nazis to smash the Communist election campaign. The Nazis also used the law liberally to threaten other political enemies and control the election at the ballot boxes with the SA.

As a result the Nazis won 44% of the vote in the March 1933 election. By combining with the Nationalists they had control of the Reichstag.

Still using the theme of a Communist plot to control Germany, the Nazis appealed to the Reichstag to vote for the Enabling Law. This would allow Hitler to rule by decree (article 48). 2/3 voted for this for 4 years, but it made Hitler dictator. With the power gained he crushed the Trade Unions, controlled the states and removed all other political parties.

By convincing the army to support the Nazi regime

The Night of the Long Knives was important because is safeguarded Hitler’s leadership and removed the final threats to him.

In 1934 Hitler was still under threat from Rohm and the 2 million SA. Rohm was becoming more outlandish and dangerous. He drank and would openly boast that Hitler was a swine and that a second revolution was imminent.

The army were still uncontrolled at this point and Rohm had his eye on joining them with the SA to create a formidable force. Hitler also needed the army to reverse the Treaty of Versailles.

With the Night of the Long Knives Hitler had 300 SA leaders, including Rohm, executed and the army swore and oath of allegiance to Hitler. This strengthened his opinion hugely.

Hindenburg’s death of August 1st 1934 was lucky for Hitler because he now had no higher authority that could sack him. He now called himself Fuhrer and remained unchallenged for 10 years.

6 The Weimar Republic fell because Germans never really supported it.’ How far do you agree with this view? [18]

The Weimar republic was economically and politically unstable

The years 1919-1923 were hard. The Spartacist Uprising, Kapp Putsch and Treaty of Versailles before 1921 and the Ruhr invasion, hyperinflation and Munich Putsch in 1923 created uncertainty, turmoil and economic crises.

In 1929 Wall Street crashed creating a worldwide depression. The US called in their loans from Germany. Germany suffered most in the Great Depression with high unemployment and food shortages.

The republic was unpopular between 1930-33, because they raised taxes (Bruning 1930-31) and failed to create a stable government (Von Papen and Von Schleicher’s ministries, 1932). This lead to increased support for Nazi and communist parties.

The Weimar republic had significant support between 1923 and 1929

A recovery happened between 1923 and 1929 based on the work of Stresemann and an 800 million mark loan provided by the US in the Dawes Plan.

With the money Stresemann invested in business and job creation schemes. Signed the

Locarno Treaty and joined the League of Nations. Improved conditions for workers and pay. By 1928 Germany had the fastest growing economy in Europe and art reflected the celebration and freedom of the Weimar Republic.

CONC/ Agree or disagree to a large or small extent and explain.

7 The Nazis were only able to take power because they were led by Hitler.’ How far do you agree with this view? [18]

Hitler was a major asset to the Nazi Party

The Nazis were experts at propaganda and saturated media images showing positive Nazi policies,

Hitler’s great speeches and promises of work and bread were identified by the people. Business leaders wanted Hitler and liked his plans to get the economy moving. The workers believed that Hitler could provide employment.

This was enough for the German people to consider that the Nazis were their chance of getting out of the depression and there was a massive surge in electoral support.

It was the Wall Street Crash and weakness of the Weimar Republic that allowed the Nazis to take power

In 1929 Wall Street crashed creating a worldwide depression. The US called in their loans from Germany. Germany suffered most in the Great Depression with high unemployment and food shortages.

The republic was unpopular between 1930 and 33, because they raised taxes (Bruning 1930-31) and failed to create a stable government (Von Papen and Von Schleicher’s ministries, 1932). This lead to increased support for Nazi and communist parties.

CONC/ Agree or disagree to a large or small extent and explain.

8 Describe one example of how the Nazis terrorised the German people. [2]

Examples could include summary arrest by the Gestapo, the use of block wardens reporting conversations, concentration camps for all enemies, street violence by the SA.

9 Describe one example of the impact of the early stages of the war (1939–41) on people in Germany. [2]

Examples could include increased popularity of the Nazis due to early victories, many men joined the armed forces, women remained at home and there was some limited bombing of cities.

10 Explain why people in East and West Germany had differing experiences in the period 1945–55. [10]

Because of the different approaches of the Soviets and the Allies to Germany The Allies wanted to rebuild Germany

The Allies set up the Federal republic of Germany. This set up a democratic government which was allowed to join with France in a Coal and Steel Union (1950)

The Marshall plan (1947) gave financial aid to Germany. This lead to higher wages (80% increase between 49 and 55) and growth in consumer goods

Economic miracle, economy grows by 8%. The Soviets wanted to punish Germany and stop it becoming a future threat

Set up the German democratic republic, which was a communist dictatorship. The Communist party was the dominant force and a secret police (the Stasi, 1950)

Removal of goods and factories lead to lower living standards, including rationing, military service and lack of consumer goods

There were few economic improvements and not economic miracle.

11 Study Source A. Explain how this source is useful to a historian studying the Nazis in the later 1920s and early 1930s. [5] The caption reads “one struggle, one Germany”.

Useful because:

It shows the importance of Hitler as a figurehead, identifying the communists as the enemy and the use of the SA as the power behind Hitler.

Not useful because:

Lack of information on the SA and Hitler or why communists were seen as the enemy

As propaganda it only shows us what the Nazi wanted people to see, not how strong the party was in reality.

12 Study Source B. How far is this a reliable source about attitudes towards the Nazis in Germany before 1933? [5]

Source B We all felt the same, the same happiness and joy. Things were looking up. I believe no

statesman has ever been as loved as Adolf Hitler was then. It’s all come flooding back

to me. Those were happy times. A German farmer, Luise Essig, remembering life in Nazi Germany

Reliable because:

Eye witness account, represents views of farmers accurately (negative experiences in 1920s, so Nazis an improvement), also represents 1/3 of population who voted for Nazis.

Unreliable because:

Ignores majority of people who did not vote Nazi, written after the event so make exaggerate how good life was.

13 ‘Jews and other minority groups in Germany only suffered serious discrimination from 1938 onwards’. How far do you agree with this statement about Germany in the period 1933–39? [18]

Valid statement because the most extreme discrimination took place after Kristallnacht

This start of Jews being sent to concentration camps, lead to a complete banning of Jews in public places or school and a direct attack on 200 synagogues.

The start of the war in 1939 saw Jews kept in ghettos (1939), mass shootings (1941) and the final solution (1942), leading to the deaths of 5 million Jews

Euthanasia of mentally ill people started in 1939.

Gypsies and other minorities not sent to concentration camps until 1939 However, there was still serious discrimination before 1938 because

Right from the start the Nazi party was strongly anti semitic.

Jewish businesses were boycotted from 1933

The Nuremberg laws (1935) prevented Jews from marrying Germans and made them wear the star of David.

Homosexuals were sent to concentration camps by 1936.

Enforced sterilisation of disabled people was conducted from 1934 Overall there was serious discrimination against Jews as early as 1933 and other minorities by the mid 1930s. However, this discrimination became more severe after Kristallnacht and particularly once world war ii had begun. War gave the Nazis the opportunity for mass genocide that would have been more difficult to carry out in peacetime.

14 Explain how the Nazis used propaganda to control the population of Germany. [10]

Propaganda was used to create a ”Volsgemeinschaft”, an Aryan people loyal to Hitler and the state. It focused on positive images of Aryan German families and people, emphasising their superiority. It also portrayed Hitler as the all-powerful leader, who never made mistakes and knew what was best for Germany. Finally it focussed on the dangers from German’s enemies, particularly the Jews and how they needed to be faced.

This was achieved through censorship. Books, art, films and newspapers were all controlled by the state, only Nazi approved messages could be portrayed. It was further reinforced through mass rallies and posters, which reinforced these messages. Finally those publishing a different message would be dealt with by the Gestapo and concentration camp system.

15 Explain why the Nazis devoted so much attention to youth policies. [10]

To create commited Nazis. Boys were encouraged to complete military training through the Hitler Youth and and a major focus on PE (15% of the timetable). Girls were encouraged to be mothers and domestic service, through the league of German Maidens and the school curriculum, which taught these skills.

To control young people in school and in their free time. School teachers had to join the Nazi teachers League and the curriculum was rewritten to reflect Nazi ideas. For example Biology concentrated on theories of racial superiority compared to the Jews. Only Nazi approved Youth organisations were permitted, non-attendance could lead to further investigation by the Gestapo.

16 Explain how war affected Germans in the years 1939-45. [10]

Early on until 1941 the war was popular and had little impact on Germany. Morale was high, the Germans had been prepared for war. Victories were popular and bombing had little impact on German people. Women were not required in factories and consumer goods were still available.

Later on Germany suffers huge loses and hardship at home. 5 million deaths in total and a further 5 million casualties. 90% of these were on the Eastern front. Food rationing came in by 1942 and all men were in the army or Volkssturm. By 1942 bombing on cities became heavier which lead to homelessness. At least 35000 people were killed in the bombing of Dresden in 1945. Women work in factories increased and boys as young as 16 were conscripted.

By 1944 there was more opposition to Hitler, particularly the bomb plot of 1944. However, a combination of fear and propaganda kept Germany under Nazi control until the end.

17 Explain why denazification proved to be a difficult task in the years 1945-48 in Germany. [10]

The Soviets and the allies had different approaches to denazification. The Soviets were much more hardline and motivated by a desire for revenge. Many Nazi officials were sent to camps and one third of German teachers were removed. 30000 Germans were convicted by commissions of being involved with the Nazis. There was a strong effort stamp out all traces of Nazism. The allies approach was more cautious, leading Nazis were arrested and senior officials were investigated. The German review board investigated a total of 3.5 million cases. However, there was also an effort to re-education Germans so they understood Nazi atrocities.

Germans wanted to forget and the allies needed German support at the start of the cold war. This meant that un the west only 4000 people were found guilty and only 500 executed, far

fewer than in the east. The allies also followed the rule of law, but because Germans were reluctant to give evidence it was more difficult to make convictions. The focus shifted by the Berlin airlift into confrontation with the USSR, so their was less focus on de-Nazification than before.