Germany

 Depth  Study  –  a  selection  of  past  questions  

 
Weimar:  
 
(a)  What  political  problems  existed  in  Germany  in  the  period  1918-­‐1920?  
(b)  Why  was  1923  a  year  of  crisis  for  the  Weimar  Republic?  
(c)  How  successful  was  the  Weimar  Republic  in  dealing  with  Germany’s  problems  by  1928?  
Explain  your  answer.  
 
(a)  Describe  the  situation  in  Germany  between  September  1918  and  the  signing  of  the  
Armistice  in  November  1918.  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  Germany  find  it  difficult  to  recover  economically  in  the  years  up  to  1923?  [7]  
(c)  How  far  did  the  Weimar  Republic  recover  under  Stresemann?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  What  were  the  main  features  of  the  Weimar  Constitution.  [5]  
(b)  Why  was  1923  a  year  of  crisis  for  the  Weimar  Republic?  [7]  
(c)  To  what  extent  did  the  Weimar  Republic  recover  after  1923?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  Describe  the  Spartacist  uprising.  [5]  
(b)  Why,  by  1923,  was  the  Weimar  Republic  in  crisis?  [7]  
(c)  ‘After  1923  the  Weimar  Republic  brought  stability  to  Germany.’  How  far  do  you  agree  
with  this  statement?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a) What  were  the  main  economic  challenges  facing  the  Weimar  Republic  when  it  was  
established?  [5]    
(b) Why  did  the  Weimar  Republic  face  political  opposition  from  the  start?  [7]    
(c) To  what  extent  did  the  Weimar  Republic  recover  after  1923?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  What  were  the  weaknesses  of  the  Weimar  Constitution?  [5]  
(b)  Why  was  1923  a  year  of  crisis  for  the  Weimar  Republic?  [7]  
(c)  ‘The  period  1924  to  1929  in  Germany  was  a  golden  age.’  How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  
statement?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  What  were  the  main  features  of  the  Weimar  Constitution?  [5]  
(b)  Why  was  the  Weimar  Republic  in  danger  of  collapse  in  1919–20?  [7]  
(c)  ‘The  Weimar  Republic  was  a  failure.’  How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  Explain  
your  answer.  [8]  
   
(a)  What  were  the  Freikorps?  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  some  political  groups  oppose  the  Weimar  Republic?  [7]  
(c)  To  what  extent  was  the  Weimar  Republic  a  failure?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  Describe  the  Kapp  Putsch.  [5]  
(b)  Why  were  there  many  uprisings  and  disturbances  in  Germany  in  the  years  1919–22?  [7]  
(c)  ‘Developments  in  art  and  culture  were  the  main  achievements  of  the  Weimar  period.’  
How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  Describe  the  events  of  the  Munich  Putsch,  1923.  
(b)  Why  did  the  Nazi  Party  have  little  success  before  1930?  
(c)  How  significant  was  the  role  of  Hitler  in  increasing  the  popularity  of  the  Nazi  Party  
between  1929  and  1932?  Explain  your  answer.    
  
(a)  Describe  the  establishment  of  a  republic  in  Germany  at  the  end  of  the  First  World  War.  
[5]  
(b)  Why  were  attempts  made  in  1919–20  to  overthrow  the  Weimar  Republic?  [7]  
(c)  How  successfully  did  Weimar  governments  deal  with  Germany’s  problems  in  the  years  
1920–4?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  Describe  the  effects  of  the  hyperinflation  of  1923  on  the  lives  of  German  people.  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  France  and  Belgium  occupy  the  Ruhr  in  1923?  [7]  
(c)  How  far  did  Stresemann  restore  pride  and  prosperity  to  Germany?  Explain  your  answer.  
[8]  
 
(a)  Describe  the  political  situation  in  Germany  at  the  end  of  the  First  World  War.  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  the  French  invade  the  Ruhr  in  1923?  [7]  
(c)  ‘The  Weimar  Republic  successfully  dealt  with  Germany’s  problems  between  1922  and  
1929.’    How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  Describe  how  Stresemann  ended  hyperinflation.  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  Germany  suffer  from  hyperinflation?  [7]  
(c)  ‘The  Weimar  Republic  was  a  disaster  for  the  people  of  Germany.’  How  far  do  you  agree  
with  this  statement?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
 
 
 
Nazi  Germany:  
 
(a)  How  was  Hitler  affected  by  the  Munich  Putsch?  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  events  from  1930  to  1932  result  in  Hitler  becoming  Chancellor?  [7]  
(c)  ‘The  most  important  reason  for  Hitler  being  able  to  strengthen  his  control  of  Germany  
between  1933  and  1934  was  the  Reichstag  Fire.’  How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  
Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  What  part  did  Hitler  play  in  the  Munich  Putsch?  [5]  
(b)  Why  was  the  Munich  Putsch  important  for  Hitler  and  the  Nazi  Party?  [7]  
(c)  To  what  extent  was  Hitler’s  appointment  as  Chancellor  in  1933  a  result  of  his  personal  
popularity?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  What  was  the  SA?  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  the  Munich  Putsch  take  place?  [7]  
(c)  ‘The  popularity  of  the  Nazi  Party’s  ideas  was  the  most  important  reason  for  Hitler  being  
appointed  Chancellor  of  Germany  in  1933.’  How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  
Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  In  what  ways  did  Hitler  benefit  from  the  Munich  Putsch?  [5]  
(b)  Why  was  the  Reichstag  Fire  useful  to  Hitler?  [7]  
(c)  ‘The  main  reason  why  Nazi  electoral  support  increased  after  1929  was  Hitler’s  anti-­‐
semitism.’  How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
   
(a)  Describe  the  part  played  by  Hitler  in  the  German  Workers’  Party  and  the  Nazi  Party  
before  1923.  [5]  
(b)  Why  was  the  SA  important  to  Hitler?  [7]  
(c)  ‘The  fear  of  Communism  was  the  main  reason  for  Nazi  success  in  the  elections  of  1932.’  
How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  How  did  the  Nazi  Party  benefit  from  the  Munich  Putsch?  [5]  
(b)  Why  was  the  Nazi  Party,  in  its  rise  to  power,  dependent  on  the  SA?  [7]  
(c)  ‘Hitler’s  strong  personality  was  the  main  reason  he  became  Chancellor  of  Germany  in  
1933.’    How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  What  changes  in  German  society  did  the  Nazi  Party  want  in  1920?  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  the  Nazi  Party  remain  unsuccessful  between  1924  and  1929?  [7]  
(c)  How  important  was  Hitler  to  the  success  of  the  Nazis  between  1929  and  1932?  Explain  
your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  What  were  the  aims  and  beliefs  of  the  Nazi  Party  in  the  1920s?  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  Hitler  attempt  the  Munich  Putsch?  [7]  
(c)  ‘The  main  reason  why  Nazi  electoral  support  increased  after  1929  was  Hitler’s  promise  of  
“work,  freedom  and  bread”.’  How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  Explain  your  
answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  Describe  the  activities  of  the  SA.  
(b)  Why  was  Hitler  appointed  Chancellor  in  January  1933?  
(c)  “The  Reichstag  Fire  was  the  main  reason  Hitler  was  able  to  consolidate  his  hold  on  
power.”  How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  
   
(a)  What  powers  did  the  Enabling  Act  give  to  Hitler?  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  Hitler  carry  out  the  ‘Night  of  the  Long  Knives’?  [7]  
(c)  ‘The  Nazi  police  state  was  more  effective  than  propaganda  in  controlling  the  German  
people.’  How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  Describe  the  development  of  the  Nazi  Party  from  1924  to  1928.  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  support  for  the  Nazi  Party  increase  after  1929?  [7]  
(c)  ‘The  Reichstag  Fire  was  more  important  than  the  Night  of  the  Long  Knives  in  allowing  
Hitler  to  consolidate  power.’  How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  Explain  your  
answer.  [8]  
   
(a)  Describe  how  Hitler  gained  control  of  the  Nazi  Party.  [5]  
(b)  Why  were  the  Nazis  the  most  successful  party  in  Reichstag  elections  by  1932?  [7]  
(c)  ‘The  election  of  March  1933  was  the  main  reason  Hitler  was  able  to  consolidate  his  
power  during  1933–4.’  How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
   
(a)  What  benefits  did  the  Enabling  Act  give  to  the  Nazi  party?  [5]  
(b)  Why  was  the  Night  of  the  Long  Knives  significant?  [7]  
(c)  ‘The  most  effective  method  used  by  the  Nazis  to  control  the  German  people  was  
repression.’  How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
   
(a)  What  happened  on  the  ‘Night  of  the  Long  Knives’?  [5]  
(b)  Why  was  there  little  open  opposition  to  the  Nazis  during  their  twelve  years  in  power?  [7]  
(c)  ‘Nazi  rallies  and  parades  had  more  effect  on  the  German  people  than  did  other  forms  of  
propaganda.’  How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
   
(a)  What  was  the  Hitler  Youth?  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  Hitler  persecute  minority  groups  in  Germany?  [7]  
(c)  How  successful  were  the  Nazis  in  winning  the  support  of  young  people?  Explain  your  
answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  What  were  the  activities  undertaken  by  the  Hitler  Youth?  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  the  Nazis  think  it  important  to  win  the  hearts  and  minds  of  young  people?  [7]  
(c)  ‘Most  German  people  supported  the  Nazis  during  their  years  in  power.’  How  far  do  you  
agree  with  this  statement?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
   
(a)  What  influence  did  the  Nazis  have  on  schools  in  Germany?  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  the  Nazis  put  so  much  effort  into  their  youth  organisations?  [7]  
(c)  How  successful  were  Nazi  youth  policies?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
   
(a)  Describe  what  children  learned  in  Nazi  schools.  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  the  Nazis  attempt  to  control  the  young  people  of  Germany?  [7]  
(c)  ‘Most  people  in  Germany  benefited  from  Nazi  rule.’  How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  
statement?    Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
   
(a)  What  was  education  like  for  young  people  in  schools  in  Nazi  Germany?  [5]    
(b)  Why  was  membership  of  the  Hitler  Youth  encouraged?  [7]    
(c)  How  far  did  life  for  workers  improve  in  Nazi  Germany  up  to  1939?  Explain  your  answer.  
[8]  
   
(a)  What  was  the  purpose  of  the  Hitler  Youth?  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  the  Nazis  try  to  limit  the  role  of  German  women?  [7]  
(c)  ‘The  Nazi  regime  was  popular  with  all  German  people.’  How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  
statement?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
   
(a)  Describe  Hitler’s  economic  policies.  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  the  Nazis  change  the  school  curriculum?  [7]  
(c)  ‘The  Nazi  youth  policies  were  successful.’  How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  
Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
   
(a)  What  was  the  ‘Strength  through  Joy’  programme  introduced  by  the  Nazis?  [5]  
(b)  Why  were  women  important  in  Hitler’s  plans  for  Germany?  [7]  
(c)  ‘Nazi  education  and  youth  policies  were  not  effective  in  controlling  young  people.’  How  
far  do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  What  did  Hitler  hope  to  achieve  from  staging  the  1936  Olympic  Games,  and  what  actually  
happened?  [5]  
(b)  Why  were  minorities  in  Germany  in  the  1930s  made  to  suffer  by  the  Nazis?  [7]  
(c)  How  successful  was  the  Nazi  regime  in  dealing  with  opposition?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  Describe  the  treatment  of  the  Jews  in  Nazi  Germany  from  1935.  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  Hitler  seek  to  control  all  forms  of  the  media?  [7]  
(c)  How  far  had  Hitler  gained  the  support  of  the  German  people  by  1939?  Explain  your  
answer.  [8]  
 
a)  What  actions  did  the  Nazis  take  in  1933–4  to  create  a  one-­‐party  state?  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  the  Nazis  persecute  the  Jews  in  German  society?  [7]  
(c)  ‘The  most  effective  method  of  control  by  the  Nazis  was  propaganda.’  How  far  do  you  
agree  with  this  statement?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  Describe  how  Hitler  gave  Germany  the  appearance  of  a  great  country.  [5]  
(b)  Explain  why  the  Nazis  persecuted  minorities  in  Germany  in  the  1930s.  [7]  
(c)  How  successful  had  Hitler’s  domestic  policies  been  by  1939?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  Describe  Hitler’s  actions  against  the  SA  in  1934.  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  the  Nazis  persecute  different  groups  in  German  society?  [7]  
(c)  ‘The  Nazis  controlled  the  German  people  through  the  police  state.’  How  far  do  you  agree  
with  this  statement?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
   
(a)  What  was  a  Nazi  ‘concentration  camp’?  [5]  
(b)  Why  was  Goebbels  important  to  Hitler?  [7]  
(c)  Was  Hitler  in  total  control  of  Germany?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  Describe  the  role  of  women  in  Nazi  Germany.  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  Hitler  launch  the  Four-­‐Year  Plan  for  the  German  economy  in  1936?  [7]  
(c)  How  far  had  Hitler’s  policies  won  the  approval  of  the  German  people  by  1939?  Explain  
your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  What  actions  did  Hitler  take  to  improve  the  German  economy?  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  the  Final  Solution  occur?  [7]  
(c)  How  far  did  the  war  change  everyday  life  in  Germany?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]  
 
(a)  Describe  how  the  churches  responded  to  Nazi  rule.  [5]  
(b)  Why  did  the  Nazis  persecute  minority  groups  in  Germany?  [7]  
(c)  ‘The  use  of  mass  media  was  the  Nazis’  most  effective  method  of  controlling  the  German  
people.’  How  far  do  you  agree  with  this  statement?  Explain  your  answer.  [8]