Germany 1890-1945: Democracy and dictatorship

6 reviews

Last updated: 15/11/2023

Contributor: Teachit Author

Germany 1890-1945: Democracy and dictatorship

Main Subject

History

Key stage

KS4

What's included?

content summaries in a variety of formats
recap activities
keyword and timeline tasks
exam-style questions.

What's inside?

Introduction to this workbook (pages 4-5)

Topic 1: Germany and the growth of democracy (pages 6-27)

Overview of Germany 1890−1918
Who held power in the Second Reich?
The growth of economic and social tensions 1900−1914
The Naval Laws
What impact did World War One have upon Germany?
How did the Treaty of Versailles impact upon Germany?
What economic problems did the Weimar government face?
How far did Germany recover under Stresemann?

Topic 2: Germany and the Depression (pages 28-35)

The growth of the Nazi Party 1928−32
How far did the Great Depression lead to an increase in support for the Nazis in the period 1928−32?
Why did Hitler become chancellor?
How did Hitler become Führer?

Topic 3: The experience of Germans under the Nazis (pages 36-57)

Economic changes in Nazi Germany
Women in Nazi Germany
How did the Nazis change the position of young people?
The police state
How did Hitler control the Church?
Persecution of minorities
Propaganda, censorship and culture
Opposition to the Nazis

Exam skills (pages 58=69)

This sample shows an example of a revision summary from the Germany 1890-1945: Democracy and dictatorship revision workbook.

The growth of the Nazi Party 1928−32

The Nazi Party started as the DAP (Deutsches Arbeiter Partei) in 1919. It was led by Anton Drexler and had just 40 members.
Hitler joined the party in 1919 and within two years had become its leader.
In 1923 Hitler tried, unsuccessfully, to seize power during the Munich Putsch. The party was banned (it would remain so until 1925) and Hitler was put into jail (although he only served nine months).
Once Hitler was released, the party was relaunched.

Why did support for the Nazis grow during 1928−32?

Factor	Supporting evidence
Hitler’s personal appeal	He was a powerful orator (speaker). He was a WWI Iron Cross hero. He was a strong leader who promised to unite the country, restore order and scrap the Treaty of Versailles.
Strength of the SA	In 1930, there were 400,000 members. They were used to attack communists, disrupt their meetings, tear down posters and intimidate voters. They gave an impression of discipline through their uniforms, parades, rallies and marches.
Propaganda	The newspapers Der Stürmer and Völkischer Beobachter were used to promote the Nazi message. New technology was used, including radio broadcasts, plane tours and cinema news reels. Propaganda posters promised ‘Work and bread’ and the destruction of the Treaty of Versailles.
Working class support	This group were promised jobs. This was very appealing because unemployment was high; 40% of factory workers were unemployed. The Nazis presented themselves as the party of workers.
Middle class support	Teachers, lawyers and professionals deserted moderate parties and turned to extremist parties due to Great Depression (many had lost their companies and pensions). They saw the Nazis as protection against the Communist Party. The Nazis stood for traditional values, criticising the hated ‘moral decline’ of 1923−29.
Farmers’ support	Farmers made up 40% of voters. They feared communists, who wanted to ban private ownership of land. The Nazi Party promised to help struggling farmers pay their debts and also to take land from the Jews. The ‘Blood and soil’ motto was used to tell farmers that they were Aryans. Farmers became a strong section of Nazi support.
Big business support	The Nazi Party promised protection from communists. Big businesses such as Benz and Krupps donated money to the party.
Support from young people	Hitler’s passionate speeches and exciting rallies appealed to some young people. The Nazis promised jobs during a time of high youth unemployment.
Support from women	The Nazis promised to prioritise families. Some women were drawn to propaganda posters which demonstrated strong, traditional values. They had not been targeted by other parties as voters.

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