Paper 1 Section A/B: Germany, 1890–1945: Democracy and dictatorship

June 2021

Q1: How does Interpretation B differ from Interpretation A about the appeal of Hitler?

Explain your answer based on what it says in Interpretations A and B.

Answer:

For example, the interpretations differ about the impression Hitler creates in a mass meeting. Interpretation B shows he has no appeal because of what he says whereas in Interpretation A the atmosphere and impression he creates is godlike which is very appealing. For example, Interpretation B does not like Hitler and A does.

Q2: Why might the authors of Interpretations A and B have a different interpretation

about the appeal of Hitler? Explain your answer using Interpretations A and B and your contextual knowledge.

Answer:

For example, the interpretations differ because B is married to a lawyer who listens to the words of the speech and the ideas in it. However A was young and impressionable and heard Hitler at a time of the Great Depression. For example, Interpretation B was by someone who was English, whereas Interpretation A was written by a Nazi.

Q3: Which interpretation gives the more convincing opinion about the appeal of Hitler?

Explain your answer based on your contextual knowledge and what it says in Interpretations A and B.

Answer:

For example, Interpretation A is convincing about the appeal of Hitler because along with the stage show of Nazi propaganda it was hard to resist. Germany was in the grip of the Great Depression so Hitler’s simple messages seemed to offer quick solutions to Germany’s problems. As the Nazis gained support even in towns where they were not strongly represented, Hitler’s appeal was only part of the story, it was in contrast to the other German politicians at the time who were dull. But all Germans could recognise a charismatic leader figure and buy into the myth. For example, the Nazis were very good at staging big events as in Interpretation A and they created an atmosphere that stopped them questioning what was said. Interpretation A is convincing about Hitler’s appeal because it shows the effect of the atmosphere and although she can’t remember what he said, Rüdiger is completely won over by him. But in B it is the Nazi ideas that do not impress and many people, for example, Christians did not agree with Hitler’s ideas. For example, Interpretation B is convincing because many Germans did not support Hitler. However, Interpretation A shows that people were swept along by the atmosphere, all the songs, and spectacle convinced people that Hitler was a ‘saviour’. This was part of his appeal. So, Interpretation A is more For example, thousands of Germans heard Hitler speak and were won over to the Nazis so Interpretation B is not convincing.

Q4: Describe two problems faced by Germany following the Kaiser’s abdication in 1918.

Answer:

One problem was that with the Kaiser gone, Germany needed a new type of government and a new constitution as a democratic republic which would allow ordinary people to vote and have a voice in politics. To make it fair there was proportional representation but this made it hard to make decisions. Another problem was that the government was threatened with overthrow and civil disorder. The Spartacists, a left-wing group, tried to bring about a Communist revolution in Germany and were put down by the Free Corps. For example, the government had to try to stop revolutions such as the

Q5: In what ways did the lives of the German people change during the Stresemann era

(1924–1929)? Explain your answer.

Answer:

For example, under Stresemann Germans gained a stable currency in the Reichsmark but the middle classes still blamed him in the government for the loss of their savings in the hyperinflation of 1923. Large groups of Germans such as the farmers still had a low income and did not benefit from the extra factory jobs that American money helped create. Although Germany regained some of her international status through the signing of the Locarno pact in 1925, and joining the League of Nations in 1926, many right-wing groups criticised Stresemann for not really gaining back land taken under the Treaty of For example, under Stresemann the hyperinflation ended because he introduced a new currency the Rentenmark. They swapped this for the old currency and then in 1924 for the Reichsmark. Stresemann brought in a stable currency which the German people could depend on and prices became For example, under Stresemann Germany regained some of its pride after the Ruhr was invaded by French and Belgian troops. Stresemann got the troops to leave the Ruhr. He negotiated to reduce the Reparations from £6.6 billion and Germany was given more time to pay. For example, unemployment fell because Stresemann used American money from the Dawes plan to build new factories and these created jobs. They could use the money to buy things like radios which they made. For example, under Stresemann Germans became better off because they got

Q6: Which of the following had the greater impact on the German people under Nazi rule:

• economic changes • social policies? Explain your answer with reference to both bullet points.

Answer:

For example, it rather depends on your circumstances before the Nazis took over. If you were unemployed and given a job that was well-paid making weapons and a factory as Germany rearmed, you would be pleased. Economically farmers liked the Nazi drive to the self-sufficiency but some might resent the fixed prices they received. However, the social changes affected everyone. All had to be careful not to criticise the Nazis but some groups of Germans would have been badly affected by Nazi rule. Obviously, the Jews were the first to be persecuted, but then Roman Catholics and Protestants suffered. Some groups who had known nothing else such as children just accepted what they were taught in the HJ and at school. For example, the economic conditions changed the Nazis created many jobs through the National Labour Service. Men between 18 and 25 did manual work. There were also public work schemes such as the autobahns which gave people jobs. So, Germans would have noticed economic changes and be grateful for a job but the unemployment figures were reduced by not counting Jews, bringing in conscription and encouraging women to leave work to have babies. Socially the Nazis created an atmosphere of fear amongst ordinary Germans which was the more important result of their rule. People could no longer say what they thought, they had to inform on their neighbours, and Germans feared being arrested. The newspapers, radio and cinema films they saw were all controlled by the Nazis. Germans would know that their children’s schooling had changed and it is expected they would join the HJ. So socially the Nazis changed more in the lives of German people. For example, the Nazis made everyone scared that they would be arrested if they did not support Hitler. They had concentration camps. People would tell on you if you did not put a flag out on Hitler’s birthday. But economically Hitler did create a lot of jobs and got unemployment down but some of the jobs were not good ones. For example, the Nazis frightened people; they would imprison or kill those who opposed them.