People and Power:
GERMANY 1918-1939
DALZIEL HIGH SCHOOL
Homework Assignment 1
Germany Defeated
Study the information in the sources. You must use your own knowledge in your
answers.
Source A describes German reaction to those who made peace with the Allies in
November 1918.
Many Germans believed that they had been cheated by the Allies and by their
own government. The German leaders who had agreed to the armistice in
November were said to be guilty of treason. They were soon to be known as
‘The November Criminals’- traitors who had stabbed Germany in the back.
1. Explain why the new German government was unpopular after the First World War.
(KU 3 marks)
In Source B a modern historian describes the Spartacist Uprising.
The Spartacists wanted Germany to have a Communist government like
Russia. Ebert’s government used armed force to crush this Communist
uprising in Berlin. Hundreds of Communists were slaughtered, including their
leaders.
2. Describe the Spartacist uprising.
(KU 3 marks)
Source C describes the capture of and execution of the Spartacist leaders.
Liebknecht came through the doorway and a Freikorps soldier smashed
through his head with a rifle butt. Rosa Luxembourg limped through the same
door and was also hit with a rifle. Later Liebknecht was shot while ‘trying to
escape’. The body of Rosa Luxembourg was found in a canal four months
later. She had been shot through the head.
3. What actions did the German Government take to put down the Communist
(KU 3 marks)
uprising?
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Homework Assignment 2
Treaty of Versailles
When news of the Treaty reached the German people the reaction was one of
predictable anger.
1. Describe some of the reasons for German anger over the Treaty of Versailles.
(KU 4 marks)
Source A is from the front page of a Scottish newspaper, 8th May 1919.
GERMAN DELEGATE DENIES WAR GUILT!
The German delegate said “You demand that we should admit that we are the
only ones guilty of starting war. I cannot bring myself to confess to such a
monstrous lie. The actions of the German Government certainly contributed to
the outbreak of war, but we were convinced our government took these
actions to defend our country. I will never accept that Germany and its people
were the only guilty ones.”
2. What was the German spokesman’s opinion of the War Guilt Clause, that formed
(ES3 4 marks)
part of the Treaty of Versailles?
In Source B Germans demonstrate against the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, 22
June 1919.
3. How useful is Source B as evidence of German anger over the Treaty of Versailles?
(ES1 3 marks)
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Homework Assignment 3
Weimar Republic
The Weimar Constitution caused discontent among many Germans.
1. Explain why Germans were unhappy with the Weimar Republic.
(KU 4 marks)
Source A is from a German newspaper of 1919.
The deaths of Rosa Luxembourg and Liebknecht were the proper reward for
the blood bath they unleashed. The result of her own actions killed the
woman. The day of judgement of Luxembourg and Liebknecht is over.
Germany can breathe again. The Spartacists were criminals pure and simple.
2. Discuss the attitude of Source A towards the Spartacists.
(ES3 4 marks)
In Source B a modern historian discusses Germany under the Weimar Republic.
The first five years of the Weimar Republic were violent ones. Almost every
week there were strikes and riots.
Many Germans were terrified of Communism. Millions of Germans also
thought that the Socialists who governed the country were little better than
the Communists. They called the Socialists “November Criminals” and said that
they had “stabbed Germany in the back” by making peace in 1918.
3. How fully does Source B show reasons for discontent under the Weimar Republic?
You should use your own knowledge and give reasons for your answer. (ES4 5 marks)
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Homework Assignment 4
Economic Problems
Millions of Germans saw their lives savings disappear as the German mark
became worthless.
1. Describe the effects of inflation in Germany in 1923.
(KU 5 marks)
Source A is by an American who lived in Germany in 1923.
All the German people knew was that a large bank account could not buy a
bag of potatoes, a few ounces of coffee or a pound of flower. They knew that
they were ruined and they could feel the pain of hunger grow worse every day.
2. How valuable is Source A as evidence of serious problems in Germany in
1923?
(ES1 3 marks)
Source B is part of a letter sent by a German schoolteacher in 1923 to a friend in
England.
In the shops respectable women offer to exchange their wedding rings for
food. Doctors refuse to take money, but will treat patients for a dozen eggs or
a large cheese. My uncle could not live on his pension and was forced to sell
his house. He kept his money in a suitcase under his bed. As a result, when he
died all he left was a heap of useless paper.
3. How far does the evidence in Source A agree with the evidence in Source B?
(ES2 4 marks)
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Homework Assignment 5
Rise of the Nazi Party
From the outset the Munich Uprising was doomed to fail.
1. Describe Hitler’s attempted seizure of power in 1923. (KU 4 marks)
Hitler stood accused of treason. It seemed his short political career was over.
2. Describe what happened to Hitler in the months following the Beer Hall Putsch.
(KU 4 marks)
Source A comes from a book by Albert Speer, who joined the Nazi Party in 1931 and
became an important member of Hitler’s government.
There was hope and new ideas. The dangers of Communism could be stopped
and instead of hopeless unemployment, Germany could move towards
economic recovery. My mother saw an SA parade in the street. The sight of
such discipline in a time of chaos, the impression of energy in a time of
hopelessness, seems to have won her over.
3. Discuss the attitude towards the Nazi Party shown in Source A
(ES3 4 marks)
Source B was written in 1940 by Neville Henderson, who had been British Ambassador
to Germany before the war.
The Germans are an easily persuaded and disciplined people who live being
governed. The young people of Germany were enthusiastic over a movement
which appealed so strongly to the young. The German is perfectly happy when
he is wearing a uniform, marching in step and singing in chorus.
4. To what extent do Sources A and B agree about the appeal of the Nazi Party?
(ES2 4 marks)
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Homework Assignment 6
Nazi’s come to Power
Source A is about the support Hitler enjoyed during the 1930’s.
Hitler was popular because he was successful. He gave a strong lead after
years of weak government and social conflict. Through the use of rallies and
ceremonial events the Nazis kept up an image of confidence and purpose.
1. Why was Hitler so popular with many Germans in the 1930’s
(KU 3 marks)
Source B describes the 1933 election in Germany.
Hitler could not fail to win the election. As Chancellor he controlled all radio
broadcasts. Herman Goering, a top Nazi leader, led the state government of
Prussia. This gave him control of the largest police force in Germany. He
ordered the police to ignore political violence by Nazi storm troopers. Even
worse, Goering employed many storm troopers as temporary police officers so
that they could ‘legally’ attack and beat up members of other political parties.
2. What advantages did the Nazis have over other parties in the 1933 election?
(KU 4 marks)
Source C is an extract from the diary of Count Harry Kessler written after an election in
1932.
A black day for Germany. The Nazis have increased their seats almost tenfold.
They have become the second largest party in the Reichstag. The impression
created abroad must be disastrous. The impact on foreign and financial affairs
is likely to be very damaging. We face a national crisis. This can only be
overcome if all those who accept or at least tolerate the Republic stand firmly
together.
3. Discuss the attitude of Count Kessler towards the Nazis.
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(ES3 4 marks)
Source D is a Nazi poster from 1933. The German words say “Our last hope: HITLER”.
4. How useful is Source D as evidence of the tactics used by the Nazis to gain support?
(ES1 4 marks)
Source E a modern historian describes the problems faced by Germans who opposed
the Nazis.
The resistance movement never enjoyed much support among the masses of
the working class. It was a movement of officers without soldiers: a large and
uncoordinated collection of intellectuals, civil servants, diplomats and military.
Each group was rarely informed about what the other groups were doing.
5. How fully does Source E explain why it was difficult to oppose the Nazis? You should
use evidence from the source and your own knowledge and give reasons for your
(ES4 4 marks)
answer.
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Homework Assignment 7
Life in Nazi Germany 1
Under the Nazis there was no escape from the constant bombardment of
propaganda.
1. Describe the methods used by the Nazis to spread their ideas and policies.
(KU 5 marks)
The following sources are about Hitler’s attitude to the Jews.
Source A is a speech made by Hitler in 1922.
The Jews are a people of robbers. They have never founded civilisation,
though they have destroyed civilisations by the hundred. They have created
nothing of their own. They have no art of their own but bit by bit they have
stolen it from other people. They have watched them at work and them made
their copies.
2. What was Hitler’s attitude towards Jews?
(ES3 3 marks)
In Source B a modern historian describes Hitler’s attitude towards Jews.
Hitler believed that Aryan superiority was being threatened by the Jewish race.
He argued that they were lazy and had contributed little to world civilisation.
According to Hitler, Jews were responsible for everything he did not like,
including modern art. He also claimed that Jews had been responsible for
Germany losing the First World War.
2. How far do Sources A and B agree about Hitler’s attitude to the Jews?
(ES2 3 marks)
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Homework Assignment 8
Life in Nazi Germany 2
Once Hitler became Fuhrer, all youth organisations were taken over by the
Nazis.
1. Explain why the lives of boys and girls changed in Nazi Germany, 1933-1939.
(KU 8 marks)
Source A describes the Hitler Youth Movement inside Germany and was written by an
American in 1936.
The youth movement is called the Hitler-Youth. It started in 1926 and is now a
huge organization with 6 million members. Like an army it has regiments,
battalions and so on. Those of us who know Germany have no doubt that its
purpose is to prepare young Germans for service in the armed forces, trained
and ready to fight.
2. How useful is Source A as evidence of the Hitler Youth Movement? (ES1 3 marks)
Dr Ley, a Nazi leader, wrote Source B in 1938.
We start our work when the child is three. As soon as it begins to think, a little
swastika flag is put into its hand. Then comes school, the Hitler Youth
Movement, the Storm Troop. We never let a single soul go.
3. How fully do Sources A describe Nazi efforts to control young people? You should
(ES4 4 marks)
use your own knowledge in your answer.
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Homework Assignment 9
Opposition to the Nazi Rule
Source A is from a Nazi Law of 1934 called The Decree for the Preservation of People
and State.
The right of free expression of opinion and freedom of the press, the right to
free assembly and privacy of postal and telephone communications are
suspended. House searches and confiscation of property without a court order
are now permitted.
1. How useful is Source A as evidence about Nazi attitudes to the rights of
(ES1 3 marks)
individuals?
Source B is part of a letter by a British student who studied in Germany in 1936.
There are spies and informers everywhere. People are always looking over
their shoulder. A careless remark can lead to a knock at the door in the middle
of the night. Neighbours will hear the commotion, as the terrified victim is
dragged away by the Gestappo – but no one dares to open their door and
look. Some are lucky. There are only beaten and held in police cells for a few
days. Others are never seen again.
2. How fully does Source B explain why it was difficult to oppose the Nazis? You should
(ES4 4 marks)
use your own knowledge and give reasons for your answer.
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Homework Assignment 1
Germany Defeated
Study the information in the sources. You must use your own knowledge in your
answers.
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Source «no» «description»
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Source «no» «description»
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People and Power: Germany 1918-1939
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