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Governments in Action in the First Half of the 20th Century

Exam question template discussing the inability of the Weimar Republic to cope with the economic depression and the factors that led to Hitler becoming Chancellor in Germany in 1933.

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Governments in Action in the First Half of the 20th Century

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  1. Paper II :Governments in Action in the First Half of theTwentieth Century

  2. Sections B AND C :Exam Qs template . . • Using your own knowledge, explain . . . . . . . (8 marks) • “QUOTE……….. . .” How far do you agree with this interpretation? Fully explain your answer (12+3 marks)

  3. SECTION B : Germany 1929-1945

  4. Inability of the Weimar Republic to cope with the Depression 1. The Wall Street Crash of October 1929 burst the bubble of German prosperity. 2. Effects - loans recalled - companies closed down - unemployment increased - no wages = starvation and homelessness

  5. Inability of the Weimar Republic to cope with the Depression 3. Like many governments in the world e.g. USA and GB, the Weimar government found it very difficult to solve the problem especially as Germany depended on loans from the USA. 4. Coalition governments argued and collapsed on a regular basis following the death of Stresemann in October 1929. 5. President Hindenburg used his emergency powers to rule by decree without the agreement of the Reichstag (Parliament). He had been one of the war leaders under the Kaiser and did not like the new republic.

  6. Hitler and the growth of the Nazi Party to 1933

  7. Key Issue : How and why was Hitler able to become Chancellor in January 1933?

  8. Growth in support for the Nazis, 1929-1933 and its reasons. 1. Most important factor was the Depression after the Wall Street Crash. By 1932, 6 million Germans were unemployed. 2. The governments of the Weimar seemed incapable of dealing with the problems. 3. Both extremist parties (Communists as well as Nazis) increased their representation through the ballot box e.g. in the 1930 elections the Nazis increased their seats in the Reichstag from 12 to 107.

  9. Growth in support for the Nazis, 1929-1933 and its reasons. 4. Methods used by Nazi Party to gain support included: (1) Policies on strong government, full employment, rejection of Versailles and someone to blame eg Jews and Weimar politicians. (ii) Law and Order – the focus on militaristic discipline and uniform appealed to many. Remember, Germany was in chaos after Wall St Crash (iii) Propaganda machine of Goebbels incorporating rallies at Nuremberg, radio broadcasts, films and aeroplanes to move Hitler from place to place.

  10. Growth in support for the Nazis, 1929-1933 and its reasons. (iv) Hitler's oratory – he was a hypnotic and powerful public speaker. (v) Violence of SA – this frightened many but it increased the impression of lawlessness and the idea that the Nazis were the only ones who could keep order. (vi) Fear of Communism – many business people gave lots of money to the Nazis to stop the possibility of the Communists gaining power.

  11. Elections of 1932 1. The 1932 Presidential elections gave Hitler a great opportunity for publicity. Although he lost, he still won 13 million votes to Hindenburg's 19 million. 2. In the July 1932 Reichstag elections the Nazis increased their seats in the Reichstag from 107 to 230. This made them the biggest singleparty but President Hindenburg would not make Hitler Chancellor.

  12. Invitation to lead coalition government, 1933. 1. President Hindenburg made his friend Von Papen Chancellor and when he could not secure enough Reichstag support to rule, Hindenburg himself ruled by presidential decree. 2. It was Von Papen who came up with the idea of making Hitler Chancellor in January 1933. He believed that they would be able to control him as part of a coalition. How wrong could they be! REMEMBER: Not everyone in G was happy about Hitler becoming Chancellor; why?

  13. Exemplar 8 mark and 12 mark questions on how Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933. In early 1929 the Nazis had very few seats in the Reichstag, yet by 1932 they had more than any other political party. Explain how the Nazis achieved this in the years 1929-1932. 8 MARKS You need to EXPLAIN about 3 points – chronological order

  14. Exemplar 8 mark and 12 mark questions on how Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933. In early 1929 the Nazis had very few seats in the Reichstag, yet by 1932 they had more than any other political party. Explain how the Nazis achieved this in the years 1929-1932. 8 MARKS You need to EXPLAIN about 3 points – chronological order • SOOOOOO……….. • Details on impact of WSC and how this helped Nazis to gain support • Nazi propaganda messages (who/why etc) and methods of prop • Use of violence inc role of SA and SS • Weaknesses of Weimar constitution inc aged President Hindenburg • Importance of elections, esp in July and Nov 1932 and Presidential election of April 1932

  15. Exemplar 8 mark and 12 mark questions on how Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933. ‘The most important reason why Hitler was able to become Chancellor of Germany in January 1933 was because of the effects of the Wall Street Crash’. How far do you agree with this interpretation? Explain your answer. NB INTERPRETATION – A POINT OF VIEW Explain in detail the interpretation given and assess how far you agree. Then, give detailed explanations of other reasons (interpretations) to contradict the given interpretation Try to explain how the interpretation may have come about. Who/what may have held this view and why?

  16. Exemplar 8 mark and 12 mark questions on how Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933. ‘The most important reason why Hitler was able to become Chancellor of Germany in January 1933 was because of the effects of the Wall Street Crash’. How far do you agree with this interpretation? Explain your answer. SOOOOOO……….. AGREES – WSC led to industries going bankrupt and mills unemployed / many G workers turn to extr parties like Nazis and Comms/ many rich indust and bankers fear comm and support Nazis against comms – massive financial backing. /many people see collapse as evidence of failure of Weimar Rep……..gave Nazis mainstream support DISAGREES -weaknesses of W constitution – eg prop rep and Art 48 made it diff to establish strong gvt Nazi policies and appeal/methods of Nazis use of threats and violence AND propaganda – Hitler’s strength shown in 1932 Pres election Weaknesses of coalitions under Bruning, Papen and Schiecher with no lead from Pres Hindenburg You MUST also explain how the interpretation came about……….eg. Many G people tried to blame success of H on economic circumstances after WSC which were beyond their control etc Think about it…….why might people be doing this?

  17. Key Issue : How did Hitler change Germany from a democracy to a Nazi dictatorship, 1933-1934, and then reinforce this?

  18. Reichstag Fire • The Reichstag Fire : On 27th February 1933 the Reichstag building was burnt down supposedly by a Dutch Communist Marinus Van der Lubbe. • The Nazis used this as an excuse to arrest thousands of Communists and outlaw the party. Article 48 – Emergency Decree ‘Law for the protection of people and State’ • There is strong suspicion that the Nazi Hermann Goering, who was in charge of the police, had the building burnt down to implicate the communists.

  19. Election of March 1933 • The Elections of 1933 : As the Communists had been outlawed in the last week before the elections in March only the Nazi candidates appeared to be canvassing for votes. • The resulting 288 seats for the Nazis still did not give them an overall majority but because of the outlawing of the Communists, Hitler did in fact have a working majority. Gained support from Catholic Centre Party and Nationalist Party. He could now change Germany from a democracy to a dictatorship.

  20. Enabling Act • Soon after the March elections, Hitler brought in the Enabling Law which gave him the right to pass laws without consulting the Reichstag. It was passed whilst SA and SS members surrounded the building. • In April 1933 each of the 18 provinces of Germany was given a Nazi Governor (Gauleiter) with the power to make state laws.

  21. Elimination of political opposition – political parties, Trade Unions. Elimination of Opposition: (a) Trade Unions – as a hotbed of communist ideas, these were abolished in May 1933. (b) Political Parties – all political parties apart from the Nazis were banned from July 1933. Political opponents who objected were arrested and placed in concentration camps. The first was opened in 1933 at Dachau.

  22. Night of the Long Knives. "Night of the Long Knives" – on June 30th 1934 Hitler ordered his SS to execute 400 leaders of the SA including Ernst Röhm thereby obliterating the SA as a political support. Why? (i) They were numbered over 3 million. (ii) They believed Hitler was in debt to them because they helped him to power. They wanted recognition of this and rewards. (iii) They were more "socialist" than Hitler and wanted more "socialist" ideas introducing. (iv) Their leader Röhm had a plan to merge with the army. This would make him more arguably more powerful than Hitler.

  23. Death of Hindenburg/Hitler becomes Führer Death of Hindenburg : President Hindenburg died in August 1934 and Hitler therefore combined the jobs of Chancellor and President in one role "Der Führer" (“The Leader”). The army now swore an oath of allegiance (loyalty) to Hitler and he was in total control – a totalitarian Dictator!

  24. One party law and order – the SS and Gestapo. One Party State: The Nazi party dominated the life of Germany and this was reflected in the organisation of the Party with the "Führer" at the top, the "Gauleiters" in charge of the regions and similar district leaders right down to the "Blockleiter" who would be in charge of a street or apartment block! These "block leaders" would report on suspicious behaviour which could include not giving the "Heil Hitler" salute or not letting your children join the Hitler Youth! Law and Order – SS and Gestapo: (1) The SS was merged with the police and became even more powerful under the leadership of Heinrich Himmler but they were totally loyal to the "Führer". They were recruited from pure 'Aryan' stock and among their many responsibilities was the organisation of the concentration camps. (2) The Gestapo was the secret police and also came under the leadership of Himmler. These plain-clothed agents could arrest and imprison anyone without trial and they developed a network of informers to generate further a climate of fear.

  25. Control of education, youth movements and the media. • Schools were put under central government control and teachers had to swear an oath of loyalty to Hitler. All lessons started with the Hitler salute. • The curriculum was changed with History, Biology and P.E. being central. History books were changed to produce a Nazi version of History. Biology included "race science" concerning the superiority of the Aryan race whilst the amount of PE was increased to produce fit and healthy boys and girls (boys for their role in the army and girls as mothers of more Aryans!) • Jews were routinely humiliated in schools and even mathematics lessons incorporated problems regarding anti-semitic situations.

  26. Control of education, youth movements and the media. • Outside of school, young people were expected to join one of the Nazi Youth Movements. These included the Pimpfen (ages 6-10), the League of German Maidens(BDM) for girls and the Hitler Youth for boys. The boys’ movements emphasised military aspects whilst the girls focused more on their role as mothers. • The traditional German 3 Ks: Kinder, Kirche and Küche (Children, Church and Cooking) summed up the Nazi ideal for women. • Von Schirach was put in charge of these organisations and it was virtually impossible not to join from 1936.

  27. Censorship and propaganda • Joseph Goebbels was Minister of Enlightenment and Propaganda and his job was to spread Nazi ideas and encourage all Germans to be loyal to Hitler. • All newspapers and radio stations were censored and controlled by Goebbels and his department. • He also had control of the film industry eg “Triumph of the Will” was a famous Nazi propaganda film about the 1934 Nuremberg rally. • Mass Nazi rallies with military and firework displays were held all over Germany. The most famous was held every August in Nuremberg. • They also used sporting events to spread their propaganda. eg 1936 Berlin Olympic Games where they tried to demonstrate Aryan superiority over others (nb the brilliant US negro athlete Jesse Owens irritated Hitler greatly)

  28. Effects of Nazi policies on people living in Germany. There was some opposition however: • religious opposition such as the protestants Martin Niemoller and Dietrich Bonhoeffer who formed alternative Protestant church to Reich Church. • Catholic Bishop Galen spoke out strongly against killing of mentally ill and disabled people • underground political opposition such as from communists. • youth groups such is the Edelweiss Pirates and White Rose Group (Hans and Sophie Scholl) began in the war years after 1939. In need of future workers and soldiers the treatment of these groups varied between torture and execution to sometimes being ignored

  29. Continued opposition and resistance to the Nazi Regime • The Kreisau Circle 1939-44, About 20 members – army officers, academics, social conservatives,Catholics and Protestants. Their varied background gives some indication that opposition to Hitler did not come from one group only.Two main leaders were Helmuthvon Moltke and Peter Yorckvon Wartenburg. Believed that Hitler would be a catastrophe for the nation. They also wanted to re-Christianize the nation. Planned for Germany’s future and removal of Hitler from power and the destruction of the Nazi Party. • Torture of July bomb plotters (Stauffenberg Plot) eventually led to names of Circle and many of 20 arrested/executed • The Stauffenberg Plot 1944 (July Bomb Plot) some army officers plotted to kill Hitler, close down radio stations, round up Nazi officials and take over Germany. Colonel von Stauffenberg left briefcase with bomb in Hitler’s conference room. Plot failed and Nazis took terrible revenge……..5,000 killed in reprisal.

  30. Effects of Nazi policies on people living in Germany. Edelweiss Pirates was the collective name for mainly working class youth opposition groups (14-17 yrs). Resented Nazi control of their lives. Could leave school at 14 but not sign up for army until 17 yrs. Very similar to Hitler Youth in activities like camping etc BUT changed lyrics of songs etc to mock Hitler Youth By 1944 Pirates activities in Cologne escalated = sheltering soldiers who had deserted army/stole armaments and attacked Gestapo in 1944…ringleaders rounded up and 12 publicly executed by Nazis White Rose Group (Hans and Sophie Scholl) executed for printing and distributing anti-Nazi leaflets in universities (dangerous for Nazis)

  31. Exemplar 8 mark and 12 mark questions on how Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933. Explain how the event of the Reichstag Fire in February 1933 helped Hitler to gain a majority in the March election 1933. 8 MARKS You need to EXPLAIN 3 points – chronological order

  32. Exemplar 8 mark and 12 mark questions on how Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933. Explain how the event of the Reichstag Fire in February 1933 helped Hitler to gain a majority in the March election 1933. 8 MARKS You need to EXPLAIN 3 points – chronological order SOOO…… • Article 48 –Emergency decree –law for the protection of people and state • Hitler acts against political opponents (used SA/SS) • Banned comms from election • Presence of SA/SS • Support of Catholic Centre party and Nationalist Party

  33. Exemplar 8 mark and 12 mark questions on how Hitler turned Germany from a democracy to a dictatorship between 1933 and 1934. Explain how Hitler dealt with opposition to the Nazi Party between 1933 and 1934. 8 Marks

  34. Exemplar 8 mark and 12 mark questions on how Hitler turned Germany from a democracy to a dictatorship between 1933 and 1934. Explain how Hitler dealt with opposition to the Nazi Party between 1933 and 1934. 8 Marks

  35. Exemplar 8 mark and 12 mark questions on how Hitler turned Germany from a democracy to a dictatorship between 1933 and 1934. ‘The most important reason why Hitler was able to establish a dictatorship was because of the use of threats and violence’. How far do agree with this interpretation? 12 Marks

  36. Exemplar 8 mark and 12 mark questions on how Hitler turned Germany from a democracy to a dictatorship between 1933 and 1934. ‘The most important reason why Hitler was able to establish a dictatorship was because of the use of threats and violence’. How far do agree with this interpretation? 12 Marks SOOOOOO……….. AGREES – activities of SA/SS/Gestapo /Night of the Long Knives DISAGREES – Reichstag Fire/the Enabling Act/Abolition of Trade Unions and other political parties/Propaganda/the effects of the Depression/political intrigue You MUST also explain how the interpretation came about……….eg. Many of H’s opponents liked to make out he only gained power through threats and violence. Some of his actions once in power –like the N of the L K support this interpretation. H also liked to reflect himself as a man of direct action (Mein Kampf). BUUUUUTTTT he was appt Chancellor through LEGAL means and only gained dictatorial powers through an act passed by the Reichstag (Enabling Act). In addition, without support from big business, other political parties and the army-Hitler would never have been appt to a position from which he could become dictator.

  37. Key Issue: To what extent did Germans benefit from Nazi rule?

  38. Economic Policy: increased employment through public works programmes, rearmament and conscription. (a) Increased employment – Certainly Hitler's reforms brought a reduction in unemployment but it must be remembered that Jews, women and soldiers were not included in the figures!! By 1939 – down to approx 300,000 (b) Public works programmes – National Labour Service - Government money was used to pay unemployed men to do public works such as building houses, schools and, most famously, the "autobahn" or motorways 7,000 km. From 1935 all 18-25 year olds had to spend six months in the National Labour Service. Pocket money and unpop BUT gave sense of purpose AND skills (c) From 1935 all men aged 18-25 were compelled to do military service for two years (conscription) Army = 1.4 million in 1939 (d) Rearmament provided thousands of jobs in arms factories and greatly boosted heavy industry. Coal mining, steel and textile mills. Germany was spending 26 billion marks per year by 1938

  39. Economic Policy: Self-sufficiency • Hitler was determined to make Germany self-sufficient. This was known as autarky. Germany couldn’t afford massive cost of importing raw materials. He didn’t totally succeed. G heavy industry relied on Swedish coal and some food still imported. The idea behind the Four Year Plan set up in 1936 under Goering was to enable Germany to be totally self-sufficient within four years to allow her to wage war to regain land lost at Versailles! • Agriculture was developed in order to try and feed all Germany whilst industry was told to find alternative home-produced substitutes for imported goods such as rubber and petrol. It was clear that this would not be possible without taking land from the east. NB Nazi policy of Lebensraum became closely linked with economic and foreign policy.

  40. Social Policy: • Standards of living -Small businesses often did well and big businesses often benefited from the huge construction projects. Standards of living did appear to be improving/many appreciated that actions were being taken to improve G economy and that this would take time. BUT wages were low and working hours increased • Promises to German people – Unemployment did dramatically decrease in number (BUT these were NAZI figures) and Hitler said he would destroy T of V- remilit of Rhineland and Anschluss etc = appears to be true! • Effects of Nazi policy on women – encouraged/forced out of jobs…(1000s of doctors and civil servants sacked)..incentive schemes to get married and have families etc Abortion banned/ women ‘traditional’ ‘natural’ roles and look – propaganda = no trousers etc BUT – due to rearmament 1000s women back into work and Nazis had to adjust policies e.g. marriage loans etc By 1944 50% of work force were women Some women did well Gertrude Scholz-Klink Head of Nazi Women’s Bureau OR Leni Riefenstahl film producer • Effects on culture – modern art dismissed as ‘degenerate’/plays and films checked for suitability and pro-Nazi slant/ the night clubs and American music craze of the Weimar years was now forbidden. Works by Jewish writers and musicians banned. Overall, new developments in the arts were stifled. Instead Nazi propaganda pervaded everything. Many scientists /artists/writers etc chose to suffer in silence but some emigrated (Einstein prob most famous…later helped with development of nuclear bomb)

  41. Effects of Nazi policies on people living in Germany. • With no Trade Unions all workers had to join DAF (the General Labour Front) under the leadership of Dr. Ley. Naturally this was designed to develop further devotion to the Nazi party. • One policy was "Strength through Joy" where workers were given cheap holidays, foreign cruises, theatre trips and sporting facilities. • Another idea was the promise of a cheap "people's car", the Volkswagen! • With full employment and the improvement of leisure activities, many Germans believed in Hitler. • The climate of fear generated by the Gestapo also meant that many who did not support Hitler were unwilling to put their lives at risk by opposing him.

  42. Cultural, racial and religious persecution. • Persecution was not confined to the Jews alone. Gypsies, homosexuals and handicapped people were also targeted as were Slavs and Negroes. Handicapped people and prostitutes were sterilized and euthanasia was introduced for the mentally ill. (2) Hitler made an agreement with the Pope not to interfere in the life of the Catholic Church but he gradually began to ignore this. He set up a "Reich Church" with Mein Kampf as a Bible! Many protestants stood out against Hitler and were placed in concentration camps e.g. Martin Niemoller and Dietrich Bonhoeffer

  43. Cultural, racial and religious persecution. (3) Anti-Semitism – Although this was not something new, Hitler took it to unprecedented lengths. Goebbels’ propaganda viciously stereotyped Jews and "race science" was placed on the school curriculum explaining the superiority of Aryans and inferiority of Jews. Persecution developed though the 1930's – (i) Boycott of Jewish shops. (ii) Jews banned from official state jobs. (iii) Nuremberg Laws of 1935 which took away German Citizenship and forbade marriage and sex between Jews and German citizens. (Law for the protection of German blood and honour!!) (iv) Other laws forbade voting, attending university, going to the theatre etc.

  44. Cultural, racial and religious persecution. (v) 1938 Kristallnacht "The Night of the Broken Glass". Sparked by the assassination of a German diplomat by a Jew in Paris, the SS and others attack Jewish businesses all over Germany. Nothing was done to stop it although it began the movement of Jews into concentration camps. (vi) In 1939 all Jews had to add name "Sara" (for women) or "Israel" (for men) to their names. (vii) In 1941 every Jew had to wear the Star of David badge and plans for "FINAL SOLUTION" were approved at Wansee in 1942.

  45. Effects of WW2 on Civilian Population • Bombing Allied bombing raids 1942-45 really intensive. Much devastation and suffering in German cities which were bombed on regular basis i.e. Hamburg 1943 in firestorm, 40,000 people killed about 75 % of city destroyed approx 1million made homeless. In Dresden 1945 up to 130,000 killed in two days. In total approx half a million killed by bombing and many more homeless etc • Rationing – great daily hardship endured by ordinary Germans, food, clothing and material shortages/women working for war effort after 1941 invasion of Russia. G citizens living off much less than British civilians. They lived off bread, potatoes and vegetables but these rations decreased as war went on. Priority was given to armed forces. • Propaganda – morale high 1939-41 when G’s massively successful…..but H invaded Soviet Union in 1941…massive gamble which ‘tore the heart’ out of G army in three years of terrible fighting. Censorship and prop was increased to try to increase morale –tried to involve them with war effort to gain support e.g. 1.5 million fur coats donated to help clothe soldiers fighting in Russia! Most Germans believed that Germany was strong

  46. Effects of WW2 on Civilian Population Hardship- as success turned against G armies…civilians suffering increased…cut back on heating, working longer hours, recycling rubbish… Less became heard of Hitler from 1942(preocc with Final Solution) From 1942 Albert Speer took over G economy and everything focussed on armaments industry…all places of entertainment closed except cinema for Nazi propaganda films. • Country areas had to take evacuees from the cities. These measures were increasingly carried out by the SS and the organisation virtually became a state within the state of Germany ….. It developed a corrupt business empire that was worth a fortune!! Public support for Hitler and Nazis began to dwindle By 1945 German people in desperate state. 3.5 million civilians had died and many refugees who were fleeing the advancing Russian armies in the east May 1945 – war in G over. Hitler, Goebbels and other Nazi officials committed suicide. Germany surrendered. It was now a shattered country. The Nazi promises lay in tatters and the long, painful process of rebuilding G had to begin again.

  47. Exemplar 8 mark and 12 mark questions on life in Nazi Germany 1933 – 1945 • 8 Markers • Explain the effects of Nazi policies towards the Jews in the years 1933-1945. • Explain the effects of Nazi policies towards the Jews in the years 1939-1945. • Explain the effects of Nazi policies towards the Jews in the years 1933-1939 • Explain how Hitler gained much support from the Hitler Youth Movement and the League of German Maidens. • Explain how Hitler gained much support from the League of German Maidens. • Explain how Hitler gained much support from the Hitler Youth Movement. • Explain how Nazi policies affected the lives of women in the years 1933-39 • Explain how Nazi policies affected the lives of women in the years 1933-45 • Why did unemployment fall in Germany in the years 1933 – 1945? 8 marks • Provided jobs in expanding armed forces • Providing places in industry – especially those geared for weapons and military transport • “ “ road construction built autobahns • Women being forced to give up working and not counted on unemplyt figures • Jews being forced out of jobs and not counted

  48. Exemplar 8 mark and 12 mark questions on life in Nazi Germany 1933 – 1945 • 8 Markers continued………. • Explain the various movements which opposed the Nazis between the years 1935 -1945. • Youth opposition – Edelweiss Pirates/White Rose Mvt • Intellectual groups such as Kreisau Circle • Military groups such as the Stauffenberg Plot • Catholic Church- stronger opposition after 1937 • Opponents of the Reich Church joined together in the Confessing Church but 100s arrested • Explain the impact of the Second World War on German Civilians between 1939 and 1945 • Impact of Allied bombing campaigns from 1942 onwards • Rationing /quality of life – 1939 rationing food and clothes but not too prob re G success at start of war- food and resources focussed on armed forces and war effort/about 50% of workforce were women by 1944/more men drafted into war • Propaganda – pro Nazi and warned against non-Nazi gps/ end of war old men and boys told to defend Berlin from Russians etc

  49. Exemplar 8 mark and 12 mark questions on life in Nazi Germany 1933 – 1945 • 8 Markers continued………. • Explain how the German economy was forced to change because of WW2 • Goering’s 4 Year Plans for autarky/Nazis built up industries like weapons and chemicals (at expense of domestic goods)/ a quarter of work force in war ind • During war – working hrs 50 and wages were lower than in W Repub. BUT G industry not producing enough and not enough workers • Bombings and effects on industry • 1943 Albert Speer appt Minister of Armaments and production – reorganised G industry but still not producing enough • Foreign workers used to keep economy going by 1944 about 20% were foreign (civilians from occ territories OR prisoners of war • By 1944 about 50% were women

  50. Exemplar 8 mark and 12 mark questions on life in Nazi Germany 1933 – 1945 ‘Germans benefited from Nazi rule in the years 1933-1939’ How far do you agree with this interpretation? ‘ 12 Marks SOOOOOO……….. AGREES – providing jobs and ending the Depression/allowing Germans to regain national pride/provision of leisure activities/help for families/providing opportunities for children through the HY/ creating apparent political stability DISAGREES – end of democracy and freedoms/ limitations on activities of women/cultural censorships/fate of minorities such as Jews, gypsies, disabled You MUST also explain how the interpretation came about……….eg. Many Germans supported the Nazis and did benefit from policies and would be more likely to suggest this interpretation……maybe as justification for being prepared to trade this against some of the more disagreeable policies such as the loss of freedom of speech…..as necessary measure for time it would take to rebuild Germany. Alternatively this could have been presented as an interpretation from those in the Nazi government perhaps attempting to justify the Nazi dictatorship. Very much depends on who you were in the Nazi regime to determine who benefited…….certainly, Jews and minorities would have disagreed etc

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