WW1

World War One - After Effects

The First World War affected Germany socially, economically, and politically. German society expected a quick victory and the war had lasted longer than expected. By 1918, German society was exhausted. The war caused many deaths and crippled the German economy, making it difficult to recover.

War deaths

During the war, 2 million troops died from fighting and 4 million were wounded.
- This left 600,000 women as widows (women who have lost their husbands).
The home front was also affected by the war. 763,000 civilians died from starvation and a further 150,000 died from the flu pandemic (country-wide disease).

Crippled economy

The war crippled the German economy.
- By 1918, industrial production was only 2/3 of what it had been in 1913.
- Germany’s debt had increased over World War One from 50 billion marks in 1914 to 150 billion marks in 1918.

Inflation

Germany printed more money to fund the war effort.
- This meant that the value of the German mark fell, leading to inflation (increases in prices).

Uneven distribution of wealth

Wealth became distributed more unevenly over the First World War.
- The average wage for a worker in 1918 was only 60% of what they earned in 1913.
- But big armament (military weapons) business owners made lots of money from the war.
This caused social problems as workers resented (felt bitter at) business owners.

Defeat and the End of the Monarchy

By the autumn of 1918, it was becoming obvious that Germany could not win the war. A series of events led to Kaiser Wilhelm abdicating (giving up leadership).

German defeat

On the 29th September 1918, it was clear that Germany would be defeated.
- Field Marshall Hindenburg and General Ludendorff told Kaiser Wilhelm II that Germany could not win the war.
- Hindenburg and Ludendorff said that a democratic government was needed for a favourable peace settlement with the Allied Powers.

Democratic government

On the 3rd of October 1918, Hindenberg informed the Reichstag of the decision to create a more democratic government.
- The Kaiser appointed a Liberal, Prince Max of Baden, to be Chancellor.
- Under Prince Max, a new government was set up.
The German military leaders handed over power to the civilian government just in time for them to take the blame for the loss of World War 1.

Kaiser loses the military

The Kaiser now lost the support of his military.
- Sailors in the navy refused to follow the Kaiser’s orders on the 3rd of November 1918. This was called the Kiel Mutiny.
Kurt Eisner, a communist, caused mass strikes in Munich after supporting an uprising against the Kaiser.

Kaiser loses advisors

On the 9th November 1918, the Kaiser lost the support of his advisors and was forced to abdicate (give up leadership).
- Ministers tried to make the Kaiser abdicate which he refused.
Following this, the leaders of the army withdrew their support for the Kaiser.
- The Kaiser abdicated and fled to Holland.

The German Republic

On the 10th November 1918, the German Republic was born.
- Philipp Scheidemann, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), declared the new German Republic.
Freidrich Ebert, the leader of the SPD, became the leader of the German Republic.
- Ebert created the Council of People’s Representatives as a temporary government. This Council ran Germany until new elections were held in January 1919.

The armistice and end of World War One

On the 11th November 1918, Ebert admitted defeat and signed the armistice (truce) with the Allies.
Some Germans felt that Germany could have won the war and that the treaty was unfair. They felt ‘stabbed in the back’ by Ebert and his government.
- Ebert and the politicians who negotiated peace became known as the ‘November Criminals’. Berlin became a hotbed for revolt (rebellion).

1The Weimar Republic 1918-1929

1.1World War One

1.1.1WW1

1.1.2The Weimar Republic

1.1.3Early Challenges to Weimar

1.1.4Reparations & the Ruhr

1.1.5Weimar Recovery

1.1.6Weimar Living Standards

1.1.7Weimar Culture

1.1.8End of Topic Test - WW1 & Weimar

1.1.9Grade 9 - The Weimar Republic

2Hitler's Rise to Power 1919-1933

2.1Early Development of the Nazi Party

2.1.1Hitler & the Beginnings of the Nazi Party

2.1.2End of Topic Test - Start of the Nazi Party

2.2The Munich Putsch & the Lean Years

2.2.1The Munich Putsch

2.2.2The Lean Years, 1923-1929

2.2.3End of Topic Test - Putsch & Lean Years

2.2.4Grade 9 - Hitler's Rise to Power

2.3The Growth of Support for the Nazis

2.3.1The Impact of the Great Depression

2.3.2End of Topic Test - Great Depression

2.4How Hitler Became Chancellor

2.4.1Article 48 & Political Turmoil

2.4.2von Papen & Hindenburg's Pact

2.4.3End of Topic Test - Chancellory

2.4.4Grade 9 - How Hitler Became Chancellor

3Nazi Control & Dictatorship 1933-1939

3.1Creating a Dictatorship, 1933-1934

3.1.1The Rise of Hitler

3.1.2End of Topic Test - Dictatorship

3.2The Police State

3.2.1The Police State

3.2.2Repression & Concentration Camps

3.2.3The Nazis & Religion

3.2.4End of Topic Test - Police State

3.2.5Grade 9 - Dictatorship and Police State

3.3Controlling & Influencing Attitudes

3.3.1Propaganda & Censorship

3.3.2Nazi Art & Culture

3.3.3Church Opposition & Social Conformity

3.3.4Youth Opposition & the July Plot

3.3.5End of Topic Test - Controlling Attitudes

3.3.6Grade 9 - Controlling Attitudes

4Life in Nazi Germany 1933-1939

4.1Life in Nazi Germany

4.1.1Women in Nazi Germany

4.1.2Youths in Nazi Germany

4.1.3Employment & Living Standards

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Life in Nazi Germany

4.2The Persecution of Minorities

4.2.1Nazi Racial Beliefs

4.2.2The Persecution of the Jews

4.2.3The Death Camps

4.2.4End of Topic Test - Persecution

4.2.5Grade 9 - Life in Nazi Germany

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