History GCSE
Germany 1871-1945
Key Events and Dates

Unification of Germany

Wilhelm I introduces the Restrictment Laws (Ant-Socialist Laws)

Social Law
Workers' Protection Act

The Kiel Canal opens

The Kaiser begins Weltpolitik to grow the German Empire and match/exceed the success of Britain's

Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz (head of the Imperial Navy) advises that Germany should have a strong navy that will protect their overseas empire and will rival the British Navy

First Naval Law introduces 7 new battleships

Second Naval Law introduces, increasing the navy to 38 battleships

The amount of time a worker can claim off work increases in an attempt by the Kaiser to appease the unhappy working class

Industrial Courts set up to settle disputes between employers and employees (compulsory in urban areas with 20 000 people or more)

Health Insurance is expanded to try and compensate for the dangerous working conditions caused by urbanisation

Entente Cordiale (Britain, Germany, France) is signed

The Third Naval Law expands the navy by 6 more battleships in a response to the British Navy's introducing the Dreadnought

The Triple Entente is signed (Britain, France, Russia)

Urbanisation- 60% of Germany's population live in urban zones

The SPD has the most seats in the Reichstag

The Fifth and last Naval Law

Germany's State Debt has risen to 490 billion marks from the Navy's Expansion

Germany equals Britain's coal output and surpasses their iron and steel production, they become the leading country in the new industries such as electrical goods, chemical products and automobiles

Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated

World War One starts

Industrial Output falls by 33%-40+%

The Naval Blockade

Forbidden to drive a car, lack of raw materials, factories produce guns and weaponry for the front line and not to make money, run by poorly experienced workers as many had gone to war

German protesters demand an end to the war. Demonstrations increase from 500 (women) to 10 000 people (workers). War weariness increases whilst German soldiers are worn down by bombs, gas and artillery fire

35% of all trade is organised illegally on
the black market from lack of food, medicine and clothing. The potato crop fails, the government are forced to introduce rationing. This is known as the Turnip Winter. Food shortages cause around
750 000 deaths

Flu epidemic strikes Germany killing many starving Germans

Army General Ludendorff states 'Victory was Impossible', advising the Kaiser to make Germany more democratic to soften the punishment of the winning Allies, which, the Kaiser obliges, giving more power to the Reichstag and freeing political prisoners, but many are unsatisfied

Kiel Mutiny- the loss of support from the military
Kiel Mutiny continues- the sailor's revolt spreads throughout towns and cities and workers and soldiers join forces, taking over and governing cities across Germany

The Kaiser loses support from his advisors and is forced to abdicate and flees to the Netherlands

Friedrich Ebert steps in as a temporary leader (he led the SPD prior to the Kaiser's abdication) and promises elections would be held in January 1919

Philip Scheidemann (SPD member) declares that Germany has now become the German Republic

Germany surrenders World War One is over
The Armistice signers become known, by German Extreme Nationalists, as the 'November Criminals'

The Spartacists Revolt in Berlin
Confrontation with the Free Corps
Free Corps and a Democratic victory over Communism

The proposed elections by Ebert are held

The newly elected government meet in a small town named Weimar (due to Berlin being seen as more susceptible to riots) and establishes the Constitution that would form the Weimar Republic

Hitler is tasked by the army to oversee the German's Workers Party (DAP).
On ____, the Chairmen, Anton Drexler, is impressed by Hitler's oral skills and requests him to join as member 555. Hitler's superiors agree as he can provide feedback on what suspicious acts they do

The Treaty of Versailles is signed
Many German nationalists view it as a DIKTAT

The Bauhaus School is established leading to a renaissance in art, showcasing expressionism and the everyday struggles of life

Hitler becomes a prominent member of the DAP, tasked as their public ambassador to spread their anti-semetic, nationalist and anti-republic views. He changes the name to the Nationalist Socialist German's Workers Party (NSDAP/Nazi Party) and uses the swastika as their sign

Kapp Putsch involving the Free Corps
(Right-Wing)

Red Rising
(Left-Wing)

Matthias Erzberger (the man who signed the Armistice) is fatally shot by a right-wing group

Hitler replaces Dexler as the leader of the Nazi Party

The Reparation cost is set at £6.6 billion to be paid in yearly installments for 66 years

Hitler establishes his Hitler Youth Organisation

Germany declares in 1922 that they cannot afford the next installment. France and Belgium didn't believe them and in ____, 60 000 soldiers storm into the Ruhr, controlling the industrial areas and shops, arresting any who protest

Hyperinflation is at its peak in Germany

Munich Putsch involving Hitler and Ludendorff (the General who stated that victory was impossible)

Mein Kampf is written

The Rentenmark is officially introduced by Gustav Stresemann, to replace the worthless notes as a temporary currency

The Dawes Plan is proposed by Stresemann begins and Germany starts repaying its reparations (which were temporarily lowered to £50 million/year) using the 800 million marks loaned by America

Exports rise by 40%
Around 100 000 homes are built for workers (though there are still housing shortages)

The Locarno Pact between Britain, France, Belgium, Italy, and Germany is signed, promising never to invade each other (by Stresemann)

Germany joins the League of Nations after being banned from it when it was initially set up (under Stresemann)

The Weimar Republic sets up numerous pension, health, and unemployment schemes to aid the German society

The Kellogg-Briand (think KELLOGGS BRAND) Pact is signed (under the influence of Stresemann), stating the participants were to never go to war, unless for defence

German unemployment rises from 2.5 million to 4 million, the Golden Age of the Weimar Republic is dwindling. Hitler capitalises on their woes and promises to provide jobs and food- more than what the current government are doing

Stresemann negotiates the Young Plan, an act, where the total reparation amount is reduced from £6.6 billion to £2 billion

The Wall Street Crash hits the USA, American banks and companies are out of business and millions lose their jobs. Consequently, American banks withdraw their loans, goods sold in America are not bought and German factories close. Many homeless, and turn to extreme politics

Unemployment numbers peak at just
less than 6 million. Over half of all
Germans aged 16-30 are unemployed-
60% of graduates cannot find a job.
Farmers slip further in debt (since 1925).
40% of factory workers unemployed, the government cut benefits to save money

Elections are held and (as per usual), no parties won a majority, and thus, a coalition is formed. The Nazi Party are surprised at having won 107 seats, behind the declining SPD at 143. Heinrich Brüning becomes Chancellor and cut unemployment pay and increased taxes

6 million Germans are now unemployed from the combined effects of the War and the Great Depression. Over half of Germans aged 16-30 are unemployed. 60% of graduates fail to get a job. Farmers slip further in debt (after continuous struggles). 40% of factory workers unemployed

Brüning resigns as Chancellor, Hindenburg appoints Zentrum member Franz von Papen, who calls for another election due to little support. The new election results show the Nazi Party as the largest. Hitler demands the role of Chancellor but Hindenburg denies using Article 48

Von Papen calls for another election, and though the Nazis are still the largest party (at the cost of fewer votes). The Centre Party gains even fewer seats, so Von Papen resigns. Hindenburg, unwilling to appoint Hitler, appoints his friend Kurt von Schleicher but he resigns

Half a million homeless people, beggars, and alcoholics are sent to concentration camps. Many are worked to death. Thousands of prostitutes, homosexuals and 'problem' families are sent too

All youth groups other than the Hitler Youth Organisation are banned. Of 7.5 million members, 2.3 million were aged 10-18

Hitler seemingly cooperates with the Catholic leaders. An agreement with the Pope states they will not interfere with each other

Reich Entailed Farm Law- protected thousands of small farms from competition (from Hitler's promise to helping neglected farmers). Farmland of 30+ acres could not be split and must be inherited. Only 35% of total farms were covered however

Germany is a 'police state'
The Nazis control the police and law courts
Crimes committed by Nazis are ignored
Gestapo set up to spy secretly on others
SS- arrest for any reason, army, camps
Sent to camps for any reason

Hitler finally is appointed Chancellor after successive denials from Hindenburg, though Hindenburg appoints Von Papen as Vice-Chancellor in a bid to restrict Hitler's new powers and allowing only 2 other Nazis in cabinet

The Reichstag is burnt down- Marinus van der Lubbe is accused

Hitler requests Hindenburg to pass a 'Protection Law', allowing Hitler to deal with Germany's problems. Hindenburg agrees

The Decree for the Protection of the People and the State bans Communist parties from taking part in the next election. 4000 communists are jailed and their newspapers are banned. Hitler gets more votes than before, but still no majority

All Jewish lawyers and judges are sacked

The Centre Party joins with the Nazi Party giving Hitler the majority. Many of the new members are bullied into passing the Enabling Act- a law where Hitler can make laws without the approval of the Reichstag

All Jews are banned from any sports clubs.

Nazis are put in charge of all local government, councils, and police. The Gestapo is formed. The first concentration camp for political prisoners is set up in Dachau

German Labour Front (DAF)- every worker was now a member of the same Trade Union (DAF). Strikes were now illegal, and permission was needed to leave work. Wages and working hours were frozen and increased and they were promised their rights and conditions were protected

All Trade Unions are banned as he believes they support socialism and communism. He takes their money and arrests their leaders. Now workers have nowhere to appeal for better working environments and standards of living

The largest book burning event takes place where 25 000 books are burned in a celebratory fashion due to them being 'Un-German' (only Pro-Nazi books survive)

Hitler orders the construction of more autobahns in a bid to link cities and towns together. This creates work for nearly
100 000 people

Germany becomes a one-party state- all parties, except the Nazi Party, are banned. The Law Against the Formation of New Parties forbid any new ones to be created

'Eugenics' is introduced into schools

The Chamber of S̶e̶c̶r̶e̶t̶s̶ Culture
All musicians, artists, writers, and actors are part of it (or else they are jobless), but Jews are denied regardless
Pro-Nazi messages, traditional (e.g. not Jazz), not written by Jews, anti-Weimar

Strength Through Joy (KDF)- organised leisure activities to encourage hard work. Rewards such as cheap holidays, theatre trips, and football match tickets. Allowed the government to control the working class better

All Jewish shops are marked with a yellow Star of David or with the word Juden. Soldiers stand outside shops to deter people from entering

Night of the Long Knives
77 or more SA leaders are killed as Hitler views them as a serious threat (though they helped Hitler rise to power originally). Ernest Rohm's army had more members than the German army and wants to unite the two, much to the fear of Hitler

Hindenburg dies, immediately Hitler announces he is President as well as Chancellor. He forces the army to sign an oath of loyalty to himself (not to the country) and labels himself Der Führer

Beauty of Labour (SDA)- tried to improve the workplace by installing better lighting, safety equipment, new washrooms, low-cost canteens, and sports facilities in a bid to encourage work, working towards Autarky

Rearmament- people build tanks, ships, planes, and guns putting more people at work. Factory owners make fortunes. Conscription is introduced making it mandatory for men aged 18-25 to join the army for a min. 2 years

National Labour Service (RAD)- all men between 18 and 25 had to spend six months in the RAD, planting forests, mending hedges and digging draining ditches on farms. They were given uniforms and lived in camps, but were given free meals and classed as 'working'

The Berlin Olympic Games gives a massive propaganda opportunity to show the world the 'Aryans' superiorit. They use advanced German technology to showcase their advances in technology. They topp the medal table and temporarily remove anti-semetic signs to show tolerance

The 'Law for its Incorporation of German Youth' is passed, making attendance to the Hitler Youth just as important as attending school

The Nazis publically burn 5000 expressionistic/Weimar/'perverted' forms of art

No Jew is allowed to own any electrical equipment, bicycles, typewriters or music records

The Nazis open two exhibitions showcasing two different types of art- one being unacceptable art that have been vandalised by the Nazis to make it unappealing, the other showcases heroic, healthy, 'pure' figures, families and Hitler- approved paintings

Pope issues his 'With Burning Anxiety' statement, read out across Catholica churches, declaring the Nazis were 'hostile to Christ and his Church'

Male Jews must now add the name 'Israel' and female Jews must add the name 'Sara' to their first names for easy identification

Night of the Broken Glass (Kristallnacht)
Jewish children are banned from schools. Jewish homes, synagogues, and businesses are attacked throughout Germany and Austria. 100 Jews are killed, 20 000 sent to concentration camps

Jewish and non-Jewish children are forbidden to play with each other and they are banned from using swimming pools

Membership to the Hitler Youth Organisation is made mandatory. Of 8.8 million members, 7.2 million are aged 10-18.
This is all to do with Indoctrination, making youths into a mindless Nazi, loyal to the state and Hitler

Jews can be evicted from their homes without any specific reasons

Jews are no longer allowed outside of their homes between 8:00pm and 6:00am

World War Two begins as Germany invades Poland

The persecution of the Jews intensifies. They are rounded up and are forced to live in ghettos or work in labour camps. Execution squads go out into the countryside to shoot and gas Jews

Supplies are needed for the soldiers. Initially, it is beneficial as it provides a more balanced lifestyle, but soon food and clothing are rationed. Limitations mean one egg per week and hot water per two weeks

Catholic Archbishop Galen (a widely-known German figure), openly criticises and leads a popular protest against the Nazis, and as a result, is put under house arrest until the conclusion of World War Two, though the Nazis do cease temporarily

The Allies sends multiple bombardments upon Germany and Berlin- the government try to move children from Berlin but these are unsuccessful

At the Wannsee Conference, a plan is devised as the 'Final Solution'- the mass murder of every Jew in Nazi territory
From this, six camps are built

Two major rebellions occur:
The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising lasts 43 days
The Treblinka Camp's rebellion kills 15 guards and 150 prisoners escape

Nazis try to fill the deficit of labour left by the workers at war by using propaganda to force 3 million women aged 17-45 to work but only 1 million obliges. Foreign labour (coming from conquered countries) made up 21% of the workforce (~7 million)

The July Bomb Plot
Orchestrated by the Beck-Goerdeler group and Kreisau Circle (?). Army officer Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg plants a bomb in Hitler's headquarters. It kills 4 people and injures Hitler but fails

Over half a million Roma and over six million Jews die in death camps