Influence of German History

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Imperial Ambitions

Hitler was not the first German who aspired to expand the German Reich.

The September Programme

The September Programme was written by the Kaiser’s government at the beginning of WW1.
Fischer argued that the September Programme was based on the principle of Lebensraum.
The September Programme outlined German expansion if it won WW1.
- It sought to seize land from France, annexe Belgium, absorb Luxembourg and create buffer states (such as Poland) against the Russian Empire.

Weltpolitik

Weltpolitik (meaning ‘world politics’) was Kaiser Wilhelm II’s imperialistic foreign policy.
It marked the Kaiser’s ambitions to expand German colonies.
Similarities can be drawn to Hitler’s expansionism.

Anti-Semitism

Anti-Semitism was popular in the 19^th century.
Hitler inflamed anti-Semitic sentiment, but did not create it.
Olusoga and Erichsen (2010): “The prejudices and neuroses of the Second Reich were passed down to Hitler and the Nazis like family silver.”

Großdeutschland

Germany was unified in 1871. There were two options: Großdeutschland and Kleindeutschland.
- Kleindeutschland means ‘lesser’ Germany.
- Großdeutschland means ‘greater’ Germany. Supporters of Großdeutschland wanted Germany and Austria to join together.
- Therefore, the Anschluss was informed by ambitions of Großdeutschland which had existed since the 19^th century.

Continuity in foreign policy

AJP Taylor (1961): Argued that Hitler’s foreign policy was a continuation of the Second Reich and the Weimar Republic.

Challenges

Historians challenge the interpretation that Germany’s path to WW2 was inexorable.
They note that many countries in Europe held racist and imperialist attitudes.

Relations Between Germany and France

Germany had invaded France twice within 50 years. Franco-German relations were tense and some argue the treatment of Germany at Versailles made conflict inevitable.

The Franco-Prussian War

In 1871, Germany defeated France at the Franco-Prussian War.
Here, Germany seized Alsace-Lorraine.
Following this, France resented Germany.

The Treaty of Versailles

At Versailles, the French wanted to crush Germany so it could never attack France again.
Germany was humiliated and resented the diktat treaty.
AJP Taylor (1961): The Treaty of Versailles was too moderate. It was harsh enough to cause the Germans to resent the allies, yet not harsh enough to make sure Germany could never become a Great Power.

1Political & Governmental Change, 1918-1989

1.1Creation & Collapse of Weimar, 1918-1932

1.1.1Creation of a Republic

1.1.2Strengths & Weaknesses of Weimar Constitution

1.1.3Overcoming Challenges to the Constitution

1.1.4The Great Depression

1.1.5The Collapse of Democracy

1.1.6The Collapse of Democracy 2

1.1.7Hitler Becomes Chancellor

1.2Nazi Dictatorship, 1933-1945

1.2.1Establishing a Dictatorship

1.2.2Consolidating Power

1.2.3Nature of Government

1.2.4Government in Wartime

1.2.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Political & Governmental Change

1.3Return to Democratic Government, 1945-1989

1.3.1Creation of the FRG, 1945-1949

1.3.2Consolidation Under Adenauer

1.3.3Consolidation Under Erhard

1.3.4Maintaining Stability Under Brandt

1.3.5Maintaining Stability Under Schmidt

1.3.6Maintaining Stability Under Kohl

1.3.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Return to Democratic Government

2Opposition, Control & Consent 1918-1989

2.1Opposition to Government, 1918-1989

2.1.1Impact of Versailles

2.1.2Political Extremism & Crises, 1918-1932

2.1.3Opposition & Dissent in Nazi Germany, 1933-1945

2.1.4Political Dissent from the Left, 1949-1989

2.1.5Political Dissent from the Right, 1949-1989

2.1.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Opposition to Government 1918-89

2.2Controlling the People, 1918-1989

2.2.1Attempts to Control Extremism

2.2.2Repression, 1933-1945

2.2.3Censorship & Propaganda, 1933-1945

2.2.4De-Nazification Policies of Western Allies, 1945

2.2.5Constitutional & Legal Response to Extremism, 1949

2.3Popular Support, 1918-1989

2.3.1The Nature of Support for the Weimar Government

2.3.2Support for the Nazi Regime

2.3.3The Nature of Support for Democracy, 1945-1989

2.3.4Top Grade AO2/3 - Controlling the People

3Economic Developments & Policies, 1918-1989

3.1Reacting to Economic Challenges, 1918-1932

3.1.1Economic Crises & Government Response, 1918-1923

3.1.2Economic Loans, 1924-1928

3.1.3Policies for Recovery, 1924-1929

3.1.4The Great Depression

3.1.5Change in Living Standards

3.1.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Reacting to Economic Challenges

3.2Controlling the Economy, 1933-1945

3.2.1Attempting Economic Recovery

3.2.2Creating a Command Economy

3.2.3Change in Living Standards

3.2.4Impact of War

3.2.5Impact of War 2

3.2.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Controlling the Economy

3.3Creating the Social Market Economy, 1945-1989

3.3.1Economic Recovery, 1945-1955

3.3.2The Economic Miracle, 1955-1966

3.3.3Surviving the Recession, 1960-1969

3.3.4The Oil Crisis

3.3.5Integration into the European Economy

3.3.6Change in Living Standards

3.3.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Creating Social Market Economy

4Aspects of Life, 1918-1989

4.1Attitudes Towards Women, 1918-1989

4.1.1Role & Status of Women in the Weimar Republic

4.1.2Impact of Kinder, Küche, Kirche

4.1.3Impact of WW2 on Women

4.1.4Role & Status of Women in the FRG

4.1.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Attitudes Towards Women

4.2Education & Cultural Developments, 1918-1989

4.2.1Education in Weimar

4.2.2Cultural Experimentation in Weimar

4.2.3Education Under the Nazis

4.2.4Nazi Culture

4.2.5Education in the FRG

4.2.6Generational Conflict

4.2.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Education & Cultural Development

4.3Position of Ethnic Minorities, 19189-1989

4.3.1Ethnic Minorities in the Weimar Republic

4.3.2Nazi Racial Policies, 1933-1939

4.3.3Nazi Racial Policies During the War

4.3.4Ethnic Minorities in the FRG

4.3.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Position of Ethnic Minorities

5Historical Interpretations

5.1Influence of German History

5.1.1Influence of German History

5.2Hitler & Foreign Policy

5.2.1Hitler & Foreign Policy

5.3Contribution of Other Nations to WW2

5.3.1Weak Nations

5.3.2Appeasement

5.3.3The Rise of Fascism

5.4Reasons for Invading Poland

5.4.1Reasons for Invading Poland

5.4.2Top Grade AO2/3 - Historical Interpretation

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