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Edexcel GCSE History

Edexcel option: Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918-39 — Edexcel GCSE History revision

Free revision notes, key terms, common exam traps and 5 practice questions with answers. About 8 minutes to read.

The Weimar Republic, 1918-29

  • Origins: abdication of the Kaiser, armistice, the new constitution with proportional representation and Article 48, and resentment at the 'stab in the back' and Versailles.
  • Early challenges: Spartacist rising, Kapp Putsch, French occupation of the Ruhr, hyperinflation of 1923 and the Munich Putsch.
  • Recovery under Stresemann: Rentenmark, Dawes and Young Plans, Locarno, League membership; culture flourished in art, film and architecture, though conservatives disliked it.

Hitler's rise, 1919-33

  • The Nazi Party developed the Twenty-Five Point Programme, the SA and, after Munich, a strategy of gaining power legally.
  • The Depression from 1929 caused mass unemployment; Nazi support rose from 12 seats in 1928 to become the largest party in July 1932, appealing to farmers, the middle class and the unemployed.
  • Political deals by von Papen and von Hindenburg led to Hitler's appointment as Chancellor in January 1933, believing he could be controlled.

Key terms

Stab in the back
Myth that Germany's army was betrayed by politicians in 1918.
Kapp Putsch
1920 right-wing attempt to seize power, defeated by a general strike.
Rentenmark
New currency introduced in 1923 to end hyperinflation.
Dawes Plan
1924 agreement restructuring reparations with US loans.
SA
Nazi stormtroopers used for intimidation and street violence.
Reichstag Fire Decree
February 1933 emergency decree suspending civil rights.

Common exam traps

  • Saying the Nazis won a majority in 1932 — they were the largest party but never won over 50% in a free election.
  • Confusing the SA (mass stormtroopers) with the SS (elite, later the terror apparatus).
  • Treating Weimar culture as universally popular; conservatives saw it as decadent.

Practice questions with answers

  1. 1. The Weimar Constitution used:

    • • First past the post
    • • Proportional representation
    • • No elections
    • • Hereditary rule

    Answer: Proportional representation

    It produced many parties and coalition governments.

  2. 2. What was the 'stab in the back' myth?

    Answer: The false claim that the army was betrayed by politicians who signed the armistice

    It undermined the Republic's legitimacy.

  3. 3. The Kapp Putsch was defeated by:

    • • The army
    • • A general strike
    • • Foreign troops
    • • The SA

    Answer: A general strike

    Workers paralysed Berlin.

  4. 4. Explain one effect of hyperinflation in 1923.

    Answer: Savings became worthless, ruining the middle class and destroying trust in the Republic

    Some debtors benefited, so mention who lost.

  5. 5. The Dawes Plan (1924):

    • • Cancelled reparations
    • • Rescheduled reparations with US loans
    • • Increased reparations
    • • Removed the Rhineland

    Answer: Rescheduled reparations with US loans

    It stabilised the economy until 1929.

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