Totalitarianism
What is Totalitarianism?
A political system which attempts to control every aspect of personal, economic, and political life.
When was the Treaty of Versailles signed?
It was the peace settlement signed after World War One had ended in 1918. It was signed on 28th June 1919.
What is hyperinflation?
Hyperinflation was when money became worthless because the government had printed more money. People collected their wages in wheelbarrows but would still struggle to buy clothes and food. Savings became worthless. People blamed the government for their problems.
The Great Depression was a worldwide economic downturn triggered by a stock market crash in New York in ...
October 1929
Who took over governing Germany after the Kaiser?
Friedrich Ebert of the Social Democratic Party was in charge of the new government.
What is a dictator?
A dictator is a political leader who possesses absolute power and wields it in an oppressive or abusive manner. A state of which is ruled by a dictator is called a dictatorship.
Which two powers enforced the harsh punishments on Germany?
France and Germany
Under the Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, the size of the German army was restricted to...
100,000 men
Why did the Global Depression hit Germany particularly hard?
Germans were not so much reliant on exports as they were on American loans, which had been propping up the Weimar economy since 1924.
What is the name given to the period between 1924-1933?
The Golden Age
What is socialism?
Socialism is a left-wing to far-left economic philosophy and movement encompassing a range of economic systems characterized by the dominance of social ownership of the means of production as opposed to private ownership.
Why did Germany sign the Treaty of Versailles?
Germany had no choice. If they didn’t sign, then the allies would invade Germany. But the German people still hated their new government for this humiliation
Why did the Nazis not gain many votes 1924- 29?
People were happy (the Stresemann years) and so they did not vote for extremist parties like the Nazis. The Nazis’ seats in the Reichstag dropped: 1924 = 32 seats but in 1928 = 12 seats.
What was the most noticeable effect of the Global Depression?
Unemployment was the most noticeable effect of the Depression. In Germany, the Depression left six million people, more than one-third of the working population, without a job.
Why was this new government known as the ‘November Criminals’?
They signed the armistice (ceasefire) on 11th November 1918. This ended WW1 but it meant that Germany had then lost the war and people felt that their new government had ‘given in’ and even ‘stabbed Germany in the back’.
List three characteristics of a Totalitarian government.
The main characteristics of totalitarian states included complete control of the media, centralized power, strict cultural rules, limited individual freedoms, planned economies, and mass propaganda.
What did Germany hate about the Treaty of Versailles?
They were angry that they were blamed for the war and had to pay reparations (£6.6 billion). They also lost all their colonies and 70,000 Km2 of land. They also felt vulnerable at having their armed forces cut and the Rhineland demilitarised.
Who proposed the plan for German reparation payments to be spread out over a longer period, and for the USA to lend them 800 million gold Marks in an effort to rebuild their economy.
Charles Dawes
How did Nazis solve unemployment?
The Nazis implemented a major public works, such as building and repairing roads, railways and houses. This significantly helped reduce unemployment, as did large-scale military rearmament.
What was Hitler charged with after his failed coup?
In the aftermath of the failed “putsch,” or coup d'état, Hitler was convicted of treason and sentenced to five years in prison. He spent less than a year behind bars, during which time he dictated “Mein Kampf."
What was the failed attempt by Adolf Hitler and the NSDAP to seize political control in Bavaria 1923 called?
Beer Hall putsch
What did Article 42 of the treaty enforce or restrict?
Germany is forbidden to maintain or construct any fortifications either on the left bank of the Rhine or on the right bank to the west of a line drawn 50 kilometres to the East of the Rhine.
What was the treaty suggested by Austen Chamberlain, (on border negations between Germany, France and Belgium)?
The Locarno Treaties, in which Germany, France and Belgium promise to respect each other's borders.
What usual response to recession did the Weimar government avoid?
The usual response to any recession is a sharp increase in government spending to stimulate the economy – but Heinrich Bruning, who became chancellor in March 1930, seemed to fear inflation and a budget deficit more than unemployment.
What were the weaknesses of the Weimar Constitution?
The president could use Article (law) 48 to get rid of democracy and rule by himself.
Proportional representation allowed extremist parties, like the Nazis and Communists, a say in government.
Proportional representation meant that no political party had a majority in parliament so the country was run by coalitions.