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 is opened 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) advised that Germany should have a strong navy that would protect their overseas empire and would rival the British Navy 1897
First Naval Law introduced 7 new battleships 1898
Second Naval Law introduced, increasing the navy to 38 battleships 1900
The amount of time a worker could claim off work increased 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 was expanded to try and compensate for the dangerous working conditions caused by urbanisation 1903
Entente Cordiale (Britain, Germany, France) was signed 1904
The Third Naval Law expanded the navy by 6 more battleships in a response to the British Navy's introducing the Dreadnought 1906
The Triple Entente was signed (Britain, France, Russia) 1907
Urbanisation- 60% of Germany's population lived in urban zones 1910 Berlin's population doubled between 1975 and 1910
The SPD had 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 had 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 fell by 33%-40+% 1914-1918
The Naval Blockade August 1914
Forbidden to drive a car, lack of raw materials, factories produced 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 demanded an end to the war. Demonstrations increased from 500 (women) to 10 000 people (workers). War weariness increased whilst German soldiers were worn down by bombs, gas and artillery fire 1915-16
35% of all trade was organised illegally on the black market due to lack of food, medicine and clothing. When the potato crop failed, the government were forced to introduce rationing and many lived off turnips. This was known as the Turnip Winter. Food shortages lead to around 750 000 deaths 1916-17
Flu epidemic struck Germany killing many starving Germans 1918
Army General Ludendorff stated 'Victory was Impossible', advising the Kaiser to make the Germany more democratic to soften the punishment of the winning Allies, which, the Kaiser obliged, giving more power to the Reichstag and freeing political prisoners, but many were unsatisfied October 1918
Kiel Mutiny- the loss of support from the military Kiel Mutiny continued- the sailor's revolt spread throughout towns and cities and workers and soldiers joined 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 fled to the Netherlands 9th November 1918
Philip Scheidemann (SPD member) declares that Germany had now become the German Republic 10th November 1918
Friedrich Ebert stepped in as a temporary leader (he lead the SPD prior to the Kaiser's abdication) and promised elections would be held in January 1919 9th November 1918
Germany surrendered, World War One is over The Armistice signers became 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 established 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 could provide feedback on what suspicious acts they did May 1919 12 September 1919
The Treaty of Versailles is signed DIKTAT 28th June 1919
The Bauhaus School is established leading to a renaissance in art, showcasing expressionism and the everyday struggles of life 1919
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 Club March 1922
Germany declared in 1922 that they couldn't afford the next installment. France and Belgium didn't believe them and in ____, 60 000 soldiers stormed into the Ruhr, controlling the industrial areas and shops, arresting any who protested 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
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 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 rose by 40% Around 100 000 homes are built for workers (though there are still housing shortages) 1925-29
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 KELLOGG 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 was 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 was 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 to Germany, goods sold in America were not bought and German factories closed. Many homeless and turned to extreme political groups 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 to just under 6 million. Over half of all Germans aged 16-30 were unemployed- 60% of graduates could not find a job. Farmers slipped further in debt (after continued struggles since 1925). 40% of all factory workers were 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 became 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
Brüning resigns as Chancellor, Hindenburg appoints Zentrum member Franz von Papen, who calls for another election due to little support. The new election results showed the Nazi Party as the largest. With this, Hitler demands the role of Chancellor but Hindenburg denies seeing him as unfit 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 garner fewer votes, they are still the largest party. The Zentrum Party gains even fewer seats as well, so Von Papen resigns. Hindenburg, unwilling to give the position of Chancellor to Hitler, appoints his friend Kurt von Schleicher but he resigns November 1932
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 allowign 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
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
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
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
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
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
6 million Germans are now unemployed from the combined effects of the War and the Great Depression 1932-33
Night of the Long Knives (Kristallnacht). 77 or more SA leaders are killed as Hitler views them as a serious threat (despite being one of the factors that rose Hitler to power originally). Ernest Rohm's army had more members than the German army and wanted to unite the two, much to the fear of Hitler Between 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' with the SA being redundant
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
German Labour Front (DAF)-
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