History GCSE- Germany 1871-1945 Key Dates

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A set of Flashcards detailing key events from the unification of Germany to the start of WWII
Nathan Chan
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Nathan Chan
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History GCSE Germany 1871-1945 Key Events and Dates
Unification of Germany 1871
Wilhelm I introduces the Restrictment Laws (Ant-Socialist Laws) 1878-1888 (Closed 45 newspapers, expands powers of police, bans meetings where social-democratic values are shared)
Kaiser Wilhelm I End of Reign 9 March 1888
Kaiser Friedrich III Reign (99 day rule) 9 March 1888 - 15 June 1888
Kaiser Wilhelm II Reign 15 June 1888 - 9 November 1918
Otto von Bismarck Resignation 20 March 1890
Social Law Workers' Protection Act 1891
The Kiel Canal opens 1895
The Kaiser begins Weltpolitik to grow the German Empire and match/exceed the success of Britain's 1897
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 1897
First Naval Law introduces 7 new battleships 1898
Second Naval Law introduces, increasing the navy to 38 battleships 1900
The amount of time a worker can claim off work increases in an attempt by the Kaiser to appease the unhappy working class 1900
Industrial Courts set up to settle disputes between employers and employees (compulsory in urban areas with 20 000 people or more) 1901
Health Insurance is expanded to try and compensate for the dangerous working conditions caused by urbanisation 1903
Entente Cordiale (Britain, Germany, France) is signed 1904
The Third Naval Law expands the navy by 6 more battleships in a response to the British Navy's introducing the Dreadnought 1906
The Triple Entente is signed (Britain, France, Russia) 1907
Urbanisation- 60% of Germany's population live in urban zones 1910 Berlin's population doubled between 1975 and 1910
The SPD has the most seats in the Reichstag 1912 By 1913, 1/3rd of the population voted for them (~20 million)
The Fifth and last Naval Law 1912
Germany's State Debt has risen to 490 billion marks from the Navy's Expansion 1913
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 By 1914
Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated 28th June 1914
World War One starts 28th July 1914- initially, Germans were supportive of the war, a way to demonstrate the power of the German Empire thinking the war would end swiftly
Industrial Output falls by 33%-40+% 1914-1918
The Naval Blockade August 1914
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 1915
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 1915-16
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 1916-17
Flu epidemic strikes Germany killing many starving Germans 1918
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 October 1918
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 28th October 1918 3rd-9th November 1918
The Kaiser loses support from his advisors and is forced to abdicate and flees to the Netherlands 9th November 1918
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 9th November 1918
Philip Scheidemann (SPD member) declares that Germany has now become the German Republic 10th November 1918
Germany surrenders World War One is over The Armistice signers become known, by German Extreme Nationalists, as the 'November Criminals' 11th November 1918
The Spartacists Revolt in Berlin Confrontation with the Free Corps Free Corps and a Democratic victory over Communism 6th-9th January 1919
The proposed elections by Ebert are held 19th January 1919
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 11th February 1919
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 May 1919 12 September 1919
The Treaty of Versailles is signed Many German nationalists view it as a DIKTAT 28th June 1919
The Bauhaus School is established leading to a renaissance in art, showcasing expressionism and the everyday struggles of life 1919
Women in Weimar Voting (21) Pay equal to men University Lawyers/Doctors <1M births 1920s - 1933
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 1920
Kapp Putsch involving the Free Corps (Right-Wing) 13th March 1920
Red Rising (Left-Wing) March 1920 (In response to the Kapp Putsch)
Matthias Erzberger (the man who signed the Armistice) is fatally shot by a right-wing group August 1921 Over 340 political murders occurred in Germany, between 1912-22, many by right-wing extremists: Foreign Minister Walter Rathenau was killed and Philipp Scheidemann (the proclaimer of the German Republic) had acid thrown at him
Hitler replaces Dexler as the leader of the Nazi Party 29th July 1921 He sets up a private gang- the Stormtroopers (SA) who disrupted political opponents The Growth of the NSDAP: 1919~ 60 members, 1920-21~ 2000-3000, January 1923~ 20 000
The Reparation cost is set at £6.6 billion to be paid in yearly installments for 66 years 1921 The first installment consisted of 2 billion gold marks given to France and Belgium. Though some of it was gold, most was in goods such as coal, iron and wood
Hitler establishes his Hitler Youth Organisation March 1922
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 January 1923
Hyperinflation is at its peak in Germany November 1923 Bread in 1918: 0.6 marks Bread in Sept 1923: 1.5 million marks Brad in Nov 1923: 201 billion marks
Munich Putsch involving Hitler and Ludendorff (the General who stated that victory was impossible) 8th-9th November 1923
Mein Kampf is written November 1923
The Rentenmark is officially introduced by Gustav Stresemann, to replace the worthless notes as a temporary currency 15th October 1923 In 1924, this was replaced with the Reichsmark after the Rentenmark stabilised the economy
Gustav Stresemann Chancellor- 1923 Foreign Minister- 1923 - 1924 Nobel Peace Prize- 1926 Widely credited to have been the main contributor to the recovery and temporary success of the Weimar Republic- the Golden Age (1924-29)
The Stresemann Era The Golden Age of Weimar The Recovery of the Weimar Republic 1924 - 1929 Uncensored - Cinema: Metropolis, Fritz Lang, Marlene Dietrich - 90% women used their new power to vote - Article 109- gender quality, women found new jobs, strayed away from traditional values, leisure - Nightlife, Jazz, Nightclubs - All Quiet on the Western Front - Expressionism, Bauhaus
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 1924 The money was also used to build new factories, houses, schools and roads creating more jobs and houses
Exports rise by 40% Around 100 000 homes are built for workers (though there are still housing shortages) 1925-29
Heinrich Himmler Head of the SS Loyal Nazi Oversaw the Final Solution The SS was set up in 1925
The Locarno Pact between Britain, France, Belgium, Italy, and Germany is signed, promising never to invade each other (by Stresemann) 1925
Hindenburg is elected President of Germany February 1925
Germany joins the League of Nations after being banned from it when it was initially set up (under Stresemann) 1926
The Weimar Republic sets up numerous pension, health, and unemployment schemes to aid the German society 1927
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 1928 By this time, industrial production was even higher than they were at 1913
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 1928-30
Stresemann negotiates the Young Plan, an act, where the total reparation amount is reduced from £6.6 billion to £2 billion 1929
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 October 1929 Prior to this, the Nazis had gained 12 seats in the 1928 election, but by 1930, they had 107 Similarly, the Communist Party had 77 seats from 54
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 The 1930s (1932-33)
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 September 1930 After the elections, the Nazi Party attempted to spread their views further by using propaganda and utilising their SA to disrupt Communist meetings
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 By the 1930s (1932-33) The government cut unemployment benefits
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 July 1932 Results: Nazi Party- 230 SPD- 133 Centre Party- 97 Communist Party- 89
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 November 1932
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 1933
All youth groups other than the Hitler Youth Organisation are banned. Of 7.5 million members, 2.3 million were aged 10-18 1933
Nazi Women 'Duty' to stay at home, have lots of children, support husband Three Ks 1933 - 1939 Birth rate increased due to propaganda 970 000 - 1 413 000
Joseph Goebbels Head of Propaganda and the Chamber of Culture Powerful speaker Good at his job 1933-45
Hitler seemingly cooperates with the Catholic leaders. An agreement with the Pope states they will not interfere with each other 1933 This doesn't last, however, Catholic priests were harassed and arrested and Catholic youth clubs and schools were closed down
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 1933
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 1933- as soon as Hitler took power Created an atmosphere of fear, alongside propaganda, they were used to control the German people
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 30th January 1933 Hindenburg and his advisors believed they could contain and control Hitler With these new powers, Hitler calls for another election scheduled for March 1933 in February hoping to gain a majority.
The Reichstag is burnt down- Marinus van der Lubbe is accused 27th February 1933 Hitler exploited this by blaming and thus spreading fear on Communism, expelling Communist parties from Parliament. Hindenburg used Article 48, seeing it as a state of emergeny. Phone calls and letters were monitored
Hitler requests Hindenburg to pass a 'Protection Law', allowing Hitler to deal with Germany's problems. Hindenburg agrees 28th February 1933 The constitution is suspended, newspapers closed, police can search without a warrant, property confiscated, detained without trial, and all non-Nazi political meetings are banned
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 March 1933
All Jewish lawyers and judges are sacked March 1933 From March 1933 onwards, many more jobs were made unobtainable from a Jewish perspective (April 1933- teachers, July 1938- doctors)
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 23rd March 1933
All Jews are banned from any sports clubs. April 1933
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 7th April 1933
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 May 1933
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 2nd May 1933
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) 10th May 1933
Hitler orders the construction of more autobahns in a bid to link cities and towns together. This creates work for nearly 100 000 people June 1933 More Public Work Schemes gave new schools and hospitals, providing more jobs and reducing the unemployment numbers
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 14th July 1933
Ludwig Müller Leader of pro-Nazi Protestants (German Christians) September 1933 Became the first 'Reich Bishop' of the German Christians 'the swastika on our chests and the Cross in our hearts'
'Eugenics' is introduced into schools September 1933
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 22nd September 1933 2500 writers left Germany between 1933-45
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 28th November 1933
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 January 1934
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 29th-30th June 1934 Hitler used the SS (Schutzstaffel), led by Heinrich Himmler, to carry out the killing, which Hitler openly admitted, stating it was fine for Hitler to murder if it was for the good of Germany. The SS and the Gestapo now formed the 'police state'
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 2nd August 1934
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 1934-45
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 1935 Within 5 years, the army grew from 100 000, to 1 400 000
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' 26th June 1935
15th September 1935 The Nuremberg Laws Jews are not allowed to vote. Inter-religious marriages are banned. German citizenship is removed Reich Citizenship / Law for the Protection of German Blood and German Honour
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 1936 (Image shows Leni Riefenstahl, a famous German filmmaker, using her advanced slow-motion tracking)
The 'Law for its Incorporation of German Youth' is passed, making attendance to the Hitler Youth just as important as attending school 1936
Hjalmar Schacht (who was appointed Minister of Economics in 1934) is sacked for slow (yet working) progress 1936 Hermann Goering is appointed new minister and proposes the Four Year Plan Autarky
The Nazis publically burn 5000 expressionistic/Weimar/'perverted' forms of art 1936
No Jew is allowed to own any electrical equipment, bicycles, typewriters or music records January 1936
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 1937
Pope issues his 'With Burning Anxiety' statement, read out across Catholica churches, declaring the Nazis were 'hostile to Christ and his Church' 1937 This did not deter the Nazis from their continued persecutions of the Catholic priests
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Formed the Confessional Church Preached against the Nazis Helped Jews escape Opened the Church to oppose the Reich Church alongside Pastor Martin Niemöller (arrested 1938-45 in camp) Bonhoeffer stopped in 1937 but continued to secretly oppose the Nazis 1942- communicated with the Allies October 1942- arrested, hanged April 1945
Male Jews must now add the name 'Israel' and female Jews must add the name 'Sara' to their first names for easy identification August 1938
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 November 1938
Jewish and non-Jewish children are forbidden to play with each other and they are banned from using swimming pools December 1938
The Undesirables 350 000 disabled people are sterilised. 200 000 (5000 children) are killed in 'nursing homes' 1939
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 1939
Jews can be evicted from their homes without any specific reasons April 1939
Jews are no longer allowed outside of their homes between 8:00pm and 6:00am September 1939
World War Two begins as Germany invades Poland 1 September 1939 - 2nd September 1945 Initial effects were good for Germany- they pushed forward using the Blitzkrieg tactics and took Poland in 1939, and Holland, Belgium, Lexembourg, Denmark, Norway and France in 1940. No civilian effects and used enemy land for resources
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 1939- after the breakout of war
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 November 1939 Black markets were set up to compensate for the lack of necessities and comfort items e.g. soap, toilet paper
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 August 1941
Swing Youth Jazz/Swing lovers Resisted Nazi law Listened to jazz and had Jewish friends Influenced others Active: 1930s 18th August 1941- 300 killed/arrested Other punishments included cutting hair, sending them back to school under supervision, leaders deported to camps (aged 14-21)
The Allies sends multiple bombardments upon Germany and Berlin- the government try to move children from Berlin but these are unsuccessful 25th August 1940 - 21st April 1945 September 1940 No electricity, transport and water mains in the cities Thousands lost their homes and thousands fled as refugees
Albert Speer is made Armaments Minister- prepares Germany for Total War, where everything focused on war 1942 Anything that didn't contribute was stopped Beer Halls and Sweet Shops closed Letter Boxes boardered up Factories stayed open for longer mass producing weapons
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 January 1942
The White Rose Hans/Sophie Scholl Against the harsh treatment towards minorities Anti-Nazi leaflets Active: Summer 1942 - February 1943 Arrested 22nd February 1943 Sentenced to death on the same day (usually 99 days after)
Two major rebellions occur: The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising lasts 43 days The Treblinka Camp's rebellion kills 15 guards and 150 prisoners escape 1943
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) 1943-44
Kreisau Circle Army Generals School Professors Aristocrats Leader- Helmut von Moltke Plotted to kill Hitler Active: 1943 - 1945 July Bomb Plot 1944 Met in secret discussing assassinations of Hitler Released their 'Base Principles for the New Order', Germany without the Nazis
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 20th July 1944 All plotters executed (19 Generals, 26 Colonels) Hitler killed other opponents- 5000 people died, most Kreisau members
Edelweiss Pirates Working Class Youth Group Refused Hitler Youth Beat up Nazi Youths Helped army deserters Active: 1930s Gestapo investigated Members beat, but too young for severe punishments- heads shaved After further incidents (Cologne), leaders rounded up and 12 publically hanged in November 1944
Over half a million Roma and over six million Jews die in death camps - 1945 'Inferior' Hitler said he was 'cleansing' Germany
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