Germany 1919-1945: The End is Nigh

As we approach the end of Unit 2 (we will spend some time on revision in class) we will review our learning in the final lessons this term.

Do follow up some of the links in this blog. I sincerely hope the course has:

1. Been inherently interesting
2. Has increased your historical knowledge
3. Has also increased your knowledge and understanding more generally e.g. in terms of social, economic and political aspects.
4. Will have helped you to structure formal written questions.
5. Made you want to find out about the period and History more generally.
6. Will serve as a basis for you to do well in your external exam on Wednesday 20 June 2012

It is vital that you are underway with your revision. All things being equal the earlier you start it, the better you will do. Do revise actively e.g. make revision notes, cards, plans for answers etc. Do timed questions to hand in for marking.

History is a somewhat unusual subject as with good preparation many students do very well indeed; but if you don not prepare adequately you are likely to underperform massively.

Your assignment to be handed in when you return will be the last formal written / typed assignments. All the rest will be timed questions and preparation for timed questions in class. But this question will give you the opportunity to bring many of the themes together so plan carefully.

Why was there so little opposition to the Nazi Government 1933-45? (16)

You can include the following points and any other ideas of your own.

• Himmler was in charge of the SS
• The Nazis reduced unemployment from 6.1 million in January 1933 to 1.1 million five years later
• The nature of the groups opposing the Nazis

Remember to get the highest marks:

L4 13-16   The answer has sustained focus on the question. It offers an analysis supported by precisely selected and accurate material.

Berlin 1945 - How the Nazis left Germany

Unit 2 Summer Exams - Raise Any Questions Here

This is the place to raise any questions for the History Bee concerning your summer exams. Do ask, but don't leave them all to the last minute - the secret is to start early and revise chunks at a time. Do feel free to complete any past questions and take them to your teacher for marking.

The Economy / Effects of World War II

A 'Nazi' Autobahn

This week we will be analysing the nature and the degree of success of the Nazi economy and the effects of World War II on Germany

Homework Questions

This week two 9 mark questions

1. How did Reichskristallnacht affect the lives of Jews in Germany?

2. How did the Strength through Joy programme help the Nazis to control the German people?

Revision Guidance

Year 10 Mock Examination Tuesday 13 March 09:10 - 10:25

There are three main areas to revise:

                The Rise of the Nazi Party                      Government of the Third Reich                              Social Impact of the Nazi State

  Weimar Republic; Impact of Economic Problems;   Creation of the Nazi State; Methods of Control    Nazi Policies towards Women and the

                                                                                                                                                             Young                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Increasing support for the Nazi Party                       Opposition and Resistance                       Economic Changes; Nazi treatment of

                                                                                                                                                       minorities

Terms of the Treaty of Versailles		Why could Hitler gain ‘total power’?		Nature and purposes of education in schools for boys and girls
Reaction to the Treaty of Versailles		Significance of existing constitution and the role of Hindenburg and von Papen in 1932-33		Role and effectiveness of youth movements
The Spartacists		Reichstag Fire		Youth movements and preparations for the war, charity and military role during the war
The Kapp Putsch		Enabling Act		Emergence of rebel groups e.g. Edelweiss Pirates
Formation of the Nazi Party		Banning of political parties and trade unions		Role of women in families, society and employment
Occupation of the Ruhr		Night of the Long Knives		Changes to the role of women
Hyperinflation		Nature of Hitler’s role as Führer		Impact of economic policies on unemployment
Munich Putsch		Methods of control at national and local level		New Plan
Role of Stresemann in Germany’s recovery 1924-29		Role of the SS, concentration camps and local wardens		Construction of autobahns and rearmament
Introduction of a new currency		Laws restricting civil liberties		Changes in the living standards of German workers
Dawes Plan		Treatment of the press		Strength through Joy
Young Plan		Treatment of political parties		The importance of Nazi beliefs in Aryan supremacy and the ‘master race’
Entry into the League of Nations		Treatment of churches		The treatment of minority groups, for example Jews, gypsies and disabled people
Increasing support for the Nazis from different groups		Treatment of opposition groups		Changes in policies towards minority groups
Dramatic increase of Nazi support after 1929		Use of censorship		Escalating discrimination and persecution
Change of Nazi tactics to gain power		Role of Goebbels		Nuremberg Laws
Appeal of Hitler		Use of propaganda e.g. films, posters, rallies		Kristallnacht
Role of propaganda		Nature and extent of opposition and resistance		Final Solution
Work of SA		White Rose Group
Impact of the Wall Street Crash		Pastor Niemöller

Women, Youth Questions and Revision

Some women and a man in Nazi Germany (not my best ever caption admittedly)

This week we will be examining the experience of women in Nazi Germany. Were the aims and the reality necessarily similar?

We will also be answering some questions on Youth and Education in Nazi Germany so it is vital you are fully prepared for that.

Some revision sheets (in a booklet) will be available at reception priced at 50p. Any very minor profits will be ploughed back into History (we will be talking pence not pounds!). The revision sheets were not prepared by me and were for a slightly different course e.g. there is relatively little on women, economic policy and anti-semitism in there. But students have found them of some use in the past.

Many of you have textbooks which will help you. I have put other useful links on this site (both books and websites). Often students quite like the CGP revision books as a basis as well; though unfortunately I am unaware of any that deal with Germany and the Crime units you are doing. However, the good side is even though I did not choose them I think you are doing the best, most interesting and most useful units both in themselves and for the future (whatever you do). However, remember what we have done in class goes into much more detail and is tailored at EXACTLY what you need. If you are missing any sheets / or work from books do that get them photocopied.

Finally, I am away all week w/c Monday 5 March 2012. Unavoidable I am afraid (being interviewed for the England job amongst other things). It is vital you cover all the material from the lesson on Friday 9 March 2012 as well as you would normally do. It could all come up in the exam.

Reminder the History exam is on Tuesday 13 March 09:10 - 10:25. 

A Couple of Pages that might be of use to the high fliers amongst you!

http://11montemodernhistory.wikispaces.com/Social+and+Cultural+Life+in+the+Nazi+State

Above is a link to some A Level Pages that might help you - just stumbled upon them and the History Bee takes no responsibility for any content.

There is a lot of useful stuff out there!

Last Week's Homework Questions

As requested here are the questions that students were set - for those that were away (though you should catch up yourself by asking students - It is your responsibility to catch up missed work.

Both are 9 mark questions

1. Describe the effects of the Reichstag Fire in February 1933 on Hitler's consolidation of power.

2. Explain the relationship between the Nazis and the Protestant Church between 1933-45.

A* Assignment - Why did the answer gain the highest grade?

Here is your chance to explain why you feel the answer gained an A*. Do reflect on the comments of other students. Considering what is needed to get the highest grades by analysing student answers is a really useful process.

Night of the Long Knives and Nazi Police State

Ernst Röhm

This week we will be analysing the reasons for, the events and the results of, the Night of the Long Knives.

We will then start to look at the nature of the Nazi Police State

Reminder: Students need to have reviewed their notes on the Consolidation of Power and researched the Night of the Long Knives for this week's lessons.


Assignment for 27 January 2011

Why was Hitler able to gain complete power in governing Germany in the years 1933-34? Explain your answer (16)

•   In January 1933 a coalition government with Hitler as Chancellor was formed.
•  In February 1933 a Dutch Communist was arrested and charged with setting fire to the     Reichstag.
• In August 1934 Preisdent Hindenburg died.

To get the highest marks: 'The answer has sustained focus on the question. It offers an analysis supported by precisely selected and accurate material.' 13-16 Marks.

Ensure your Introduction 'defines and directs' - They should not provide a lengthy preamble or give lots of background (scores very little). E.g. why are these dates key, show you know it is a question about the consolidation of power. You might want to consider 'complete power'...

In the introduction prioritise what was really key.

You should go for 6 paragraphs on separate themes. Each with a Big Idea e.g. 'The Night of the Long Knives was of crucial importance in consolidating Hitler's power as it brought together his willingness to act when necessary, his preparedness to act utterly ruthlessly along with his desire not to antagonise external powerbases.

Analyse, don't narrate and think thematically.

Avoid sweeping generalisations.

Use bullet pointed factors, but don't be seduced by them. Other areas will be important and you most refer to 'other factors'. These three refer to Hitler's initial position as a head of a nationalist, rather than a Nazi one, the Reichstag Fire and his assumption of the role of Führer.

Avoid sweeping generalisations e.g. all the Germans hated the Jews; the Nazis gave the people what they wanted. History is invariably a mixture of greys, not just black and white.

In this assignment refer specifically to key events but also important themes e.g. seduction v supervision; anti communism; popular aspects of the regime; careful not to antagonise existing powerbases. Consider to what extent they had 'total control'.

Consolidation of Power 1933

Hitler commends the Enabling Bill to the Reichstag

Happy New Year Historians - This week we will be starting to look at the period after Hitler becomes Chancellor. We will be focusing particulalry on how the Nazis consolidated their power.

Reminder you have an exam / test on Hitler's Rise to Power 1928-33. Also you have the 9 mark question on Hitler's role in gaining power to hand in.

Merry Christmas

Happy Christmas Glastonbury Historians

Have a good break. I tried to find the most festive picture possible and I think we can all agree you can't get much more festive than this.

Assignments for Friday 6 January 2012

1. Describe the role of Hitler in helping the Nazis come to power (9).

2. Revise for the rise to power of the Nazis 1928-1933 Test.

Feel free to seek any assistance on the above two tasks or ask any questions about German History 1918-1945.

Assignment Assistance

Your assignment due in on Thursday 8 December is as follows:

What factors were crucial in helping the Nazis came to power in January 1933? You could include the following in your answer and any information of your own. (16)

§  Nazi Party policies

§  Fear of Communism

§  Impact of the Wall Street Crash

Simple statement some relevant knowledge (1-4)

Developed statements - material which is mostly relevant and accurate (5-8)

Understands focus of the question - supports with sufficient accurate and relevant detail (9-12)

Sustained focus on the question. Analysis supported by precisely selected and accurate material (13-16)

Feel free to ask for any assistance