History Notes

Done by Song Gil Seob

History EOY Preparation

RUSSIA

Pre-Civil War Bolshevik’s Strengths Weaknesses of Provisional Government

Refusal to Compromise

Mensheviks helped the Provisional Govt.

Bolsheviks never wavered o Disassociated from policies o Repressed by “enemy” (Provisional Govt.)

Leadership of Lenin

Returned to lead Bolsheviks- revolution, unpopularity of Provisional Govt.

Promises o Land, Peace, Bread o Immediate Land Redistribution o End WWI o Eliminate Hunger w/ Communism

General Kornilov Affair

Bolshevik’s help enlisted o Railway Workers- Stop trains, military

cannot come in o Propagandists- spread propaganda that

Kornilov is the enemy of the revolution

No Blood, No Violence

Outcomes: o Increased Support o Rearmament o Release of Prisoners o Bolsheviks can now take down the

Provisional Govt. which is easier to take down than the military

Problems of Democratic Reform

Prisoners freed & Revolutionaries returned- includes Lenin who would eventually overthrow the govt.

Freedom of Press- easier for Bolsheviks to spread information

Freedom of Assembly- People going on strikes often Image Tarnished

No Serious Reforms o Delayed democratic elections due to WWI

(37% of people were deployed, not very good for democracy)- people viewed this as an attempt to hold onto power longer

o No Land Reforms- no redistribution of land People in Provisional Govt. were the

ones with land previously o Appalling economic record- food shortages,

unemployment, debt o Still in WWI

Resources are continuously drained, promises to allies- owe money, will have to sign surrender treaty (money+land)

General Kornilov Affair (Commander-in-chief)

Thought that there were revolutionaries in St. Petersburg

He tried to enter the city with the army to stop them

Provisional Govt. though that they were starting a military coup

Arrest of Generals- military no longer under Govt.


Russian Civil War (1917-1923) Parties

o Red Army: Communist Govt. + Volunteer-Based men + Strengthened by Cheka

o White Army: Mix of interested parties of Bolshevik’s downfall (Poor monarchists,

Mensheviks, Rich, Bourgeoisie)

o Green Army: Ukraine Nationalist Movement- less significant

o Black Army: Rival of Green Army, Anarchist (no Govt.)- less significant

Reasons for Foreign Involvement

o Russian Withdrawal

The Allies tried to get the old powers back to support them in war as the

Bolsheviks defaulted on foreign loans (ignored completely, blamed on the

previous rulers)

o Russo-German Alliance

Against the Allies

o Spread of Communism

Govt. has to be overthrown

Outcomes:

o Bolshevik Victory

o Massive Casualties- 15 million people died (1 million red, ½ million white, 7-8 million

wartime casualties, 5 million from famine)

o Economic devastation

Factories, Bridges, Mines, Machines: all gone

Dropped to 1/7 of Industrial Production

Output of factories dropped to 20%

Cotton- dropped to 5%

Iron- dropped to 2%

Factors Strengths of the Reds Weakness of the Whites

Leadership Strict unity of command- Division of Responsibility

Lenin: Political Leader

Leon Trotsky: War Commissar/Military Leader

o I/C of co-ordinating the military campaign

Clear Division- prevented: duplication of effort, waste of manpower and resources, avoided confusion and chaos

Politically Diverse

The White Army was not a unified force. There were many groups: Aristocrats, Middle-class, Mensheviks, people from conquered regions who had joined in to achieve independence from Russian rule

Each group had their own aims and ideals but they were drawn together by political expediency of ridding the Bolsheviks


Able Leadership

Trotsky was a brilliant thinker and speaker

o Used Railways to transport troops and supplies

o Bolshevik Army enlarged to 5 million men

o Enlisted Tsar’s ex-officers- experience in war, held their families ransom to make them fight

The leaders of the various groups were independent and headstrong. It was difficult for them to co-ordinate their war effort against the Reds, given the clashes in personalities and aims

Thus, the Whites did not have a single, unified leadership and this adversely affected their campaign

Geographical Context

Strategic Geography

The Reds controlled the central area that was:

o Most populous: reservoir of soldiers

o Industries: placed on war-time footing producing weapons

o Railways- transport troops

Peripheral Areas

The White Army had difficulty co-ordinating their war effort. They had difficulty in: Moving troops & Communication

White advantage was the outlying regions which were the food-producing areas= supplied with food

o Bolsheviks overcame their food shortage through grain requistion

Wartime Strategies

War Communism

The whole economy was under the control of the Govt.

o Industries: Weapons, mobilise resources

o Requisition of Food: Ask the peasants, even if they say no, they still take the food 5 million died from

famine o No Private trade: Everything was

to go through the govt.

Others Popular Support

Bolsheviks were seen to be patriotic in the eyes of the people

Bolsheviks capitalised on this by claiming to be fighting against the Whites in defence of the Russian Motherland

This strong message was not lost on the people who gave it their support

Dependent

The White Army was aided by foreign, democratic countries (financial, weapons, personnel)

Elitist

The Aristocrats represented the old order and Tsarist Rule

They were very closely related to the Tsar

If the Whites won: signal a return to the old order?

o Many peasants feared this


Communist Rule- Under Bolsheviks & Lenin Political Changes

o Transfer of Power

Parliamentary Socialist

o Repression of opposition

Arrests of Mensheviks

Control of Press- no freedom, revolution goes back to the past

Cheka

Precursor to KGB

More Blood- as much as possible

Various ways for torture

Economic Changes

o Nationalisation: Banks nationalised- money belongs to govt.

Church- not much power due to atheist philosophy of Socialism

o Repudiation of foreign debt

Does not return the 11 billion rubos borrowed saying that it was not the

Bolsheviks who borrowed

Redistribution of Land

Labour Policies (+)

o Working hours: 11-12 hours to 8 hours

o Minimum wage

o Govt. Representative

Only receives recommendation, does not have to follow

Social Changes

o Women’s rights

Divorce

Individual Property Rights

Female Education

Women’s wing in Central Communist Party

Propaganda & Brainwashing

o Decriminalising homosexuality

State does not care about what one does privately

o Combating Anti-Semitism

Against Anti-Jew: Capitalist are the enemies instead

WWI

o Split over WWI

Lenin advocated for Withdrawal, others wanted to stay in the course

o Treaty of Brest-Litovsk forced to sign

Germany renewed attack

Lost: 1/3 of manufacturing industry, 27% of agricultural land, half of population


Life under Stalin Lenin’s Death (1924, 1 year after Civil War through a series of strokes)

o Stalin took over as leader of the USSR, ruling for the next 25 years (1928-1953)

Stalin

o Was in prison, nicknamed: “Man of Steel”- determination to withstand

o Humble Background, born in Tiflis, Georgia

o Became a Bolshevik in 1903

Did not do much in terms of October Revolution

Managed to bring down the Green and Black Armies in Civil War

o Power struggle between Trotsky and Stalin

Lenin placed Stalin as Secretary-General

A dull, administrative job, in charge of appointments

o His supporters were placed into key positions

Lenin did not like Stalin

o Lenin wrote that Stalin should not take over in his last

testament- hidden by Stalin and Allies

o Single- minded: would do anything to achieve his objectives

o Played off contenders against each other

o Regarded as dull/colourless No threat

For those who obeyed Stalin:

o Public Housing

o Education

o Women treated better

Yet:

o Strict Censorship

o Fear and Terror- KGB

o Distorted History

o Lack of Consumer goods

Those who suffered:

o Opponents- political, writers, professionals, Officers


Political Totalitarianism

o 1945 Stalin Constitution

Redesign Russian Govt.- Universal Voting, Secret Voting

o One party government- only those approved by Stalin can join

o Loyal Party Members

Purges

o Great Purge (1936-38)

Removal of huge groups of people: Trotsky, the rich peasants, former Tsarist

officials, half of Army officers, all of naval officers

Placed those he could trust- purge partially due to threat to himself

o Widespread Suspicion- people report on each other

o Show Trials- “Show” Fairness & Justice

o Banishment, imprisonment, execution

o 1 Million deaths

Cult of Stalin

o Grand Titles

o Fictionalised Biographies

o Pictures & Statues

o Cities and Towns named after him

20 Million deaths overall

Economical (1924- 5 March 1953)

Aims of Industrialisation o Transform Russia from a destroyed economy

o Counter Germany and West Fight off Capitalist Nations (May attack Russia again)

o Overtake Europe’s Economy (Ambition)

o Expand Military Heavy Industry

Methods

o Internal Financing Communism

No Trade with others in terms of heavy industry

Debts made it difficult for them to do anything with the Allies

Reduce Consumption

Reduce how much is being used, put the rest into the Bank which is

then invested into other things such as heavy industry

Kulaks

Take from Rich farmers


o 5 Year Plans 1st 5 year Plan (1928)

Relocating Industries away from other European nations (move to

East) In order to secure the industry infrastructure protect from

invasions

Focus on heavy Industry 1500 new factories

o 1928-1940: Number of workers in construction and transport

increased from 4 million to 12 million

Increased production but target not met

Resource Situation Achievement Unrealistic Goals

Time 1928 1932 Target

Pig Iron (million tons) 3.3 6.2 8.0

Steel (million tons) 4.0 5.9 8.3

Coal (million tons) 35.4 64.3 68.0

Oil (million tons) 11.7 21.4 19.0

Electricity (billion kWh) 5.0 13.4 17.0

2nd 5 year Plan (1932)

Infrastructure Railways: efficiency in production

Realistic but unfulfilled Targets

o Better than before to reward Russians (still unrealistic)

Incentives & Punishments

o Depends on how well you work

o Women: sponsored child-care so that they can work &

contribute to economy

Consumer Goods/Agriculture vs. Weapons (focus)

o Failed: purges on the rich kulaks when the most productive

are removed, the agriculture ↓

3rd 5 year Plan (1938-1941): Stopped early due to WWII

Weapons

Did not reach production goals

Undeniable achievements: Annual Industrial Growth 12-13%


o Collectivisation

Headed by party officials; pulling of resources into one for better effect (to

consolidate individual land and labour into collective farms); for industrialization

Aim:

1.) Increase food supply for factory workers

2.) Increase raw materials for processing industry

3.) Increase crops to free up workforce agriculture to industry

4.) Excess crops that were left over after consumption sold to govt. at a low

price govt. sell them to finance industrialization

Measures:

Collectivisation made compulsory

Peasant reactions burn own crops, attack party officials, kill livestock

Harsh enforcement shock brigades of Cheka: must meet quota; if not,

labour camps

“Successful” Collectivisation

o Many who opposed no longer oppose due to fear

o 25 million farms formed 400 000 collectives

Successes

Food supplied by private land

State grain collection increased mechanisation released, millions of

surplus peasants to work in factories

o From 10.8 million (1928-1929) to 22.8 million tons (1931-1932)

Peasants freed to work

o The increase in industry mechanisation + collectivisation

Government Control still present

Failures

Limited and unused machines

o Limited: not many in numbers

o Unused: people do not know how to use

Demoralisation people lost the will to farm as almost all would be

taken away

Agriculture collapse

o Late 1950s: farm animal levels reaching 1928 levels

o Crop levels in 1936 fell to 1913 levels

Massive Famine produce little people taken away

o E.g. Father leaves mother with children without anything

Directly/Indirectly killed 12 million people


Essay questions

1. How far do you agree that the leaderships of the two parties were the most important factor

that decided the Russian Revolution of 1917?

2. “Russian Revolution made Russia better, not worse.” How far do you agree with the statement?

3. “Lenin was right about not wanting Stalin as his successor.” How far do you agree with this

statement?

How to write a SBQ 1.) Read the question and ALL SOURCES

2.) Determine the stand of each source (if more than one, decide yourself)

3.) Categorize the sources on the facts that they are portraying

4.) Decide your stand and plan out your criteria

5.) Write your introduction- talk briefly about the situation/context, the question and your stand

6.) Tackle the sources by CATEGORIES (e.g. Source A and Source C talks about…) if possible

a. Decipher the point

b. Elaborate & look back on CK

c. Link back to question

7.) Write your conclusion using the criteria and how everything relates back; make sure to say that

“thus, I believe that the sources agree to a large extent…” not “thus, I believe to a large extent…”

How to write SEQ 1.) Read the question clearly

2.) Decide on the main points you want to use (usually 3, if there is enough time- 4)

3.) Decide on the stand of the points and decide on what your criteria would be

4.) Write your introduction- talk briefly about the situation/context, the question and your stand

5.) Use PEEL to tackle each point

6.) Write your conclusion using the criteria and how everything relates back to the question


FRANCE

Circumstantial Factors/Existing Condition

System

Estate System

o Structure

First: Clergy (about 100,000 people)

Second: Nobility (about 400,000 people)

Third: Bourgeois, wage earners, peasantry (80% of population)

o Limited social mobility

The third estate could not hold positions of importance in society and army

o Privileged versus underprivileged

Only the third estate paid taxes

o Access to political power/voting process

Tax System

o Unfair fiscal policies

o Inefficient system of collection

National Debts

o Due to the 2 wars France fought, they lacked funds to do other things in the nation

o Luxury for the king

o This led to the taxation- make the first 2 estates pay, the reform failed

Political System- Absolute Monarchy

o Monarchy had complete power to make decisions

o Political rights of the people

o The neighbouring countries- better in systems, stronger

Russia- Catherine the Great- absolute monarchy

Prussia- Frederick the Great- absolute monarchy

Britain- George III- share with parliament

External Conditions/Threats/Influence Power Politics

Literacy level of the people

o The commoners

Low literacy level- these included things such as pornography which depicted

the monarchy as a low being

These may have led to even more hatred towards the monarchy

France’s involvement in Wars

o 7 Year War (against Britain)

Despite fighting for such a long time, France still lost


Soldiers are frustrated, the people are frustrated

No gain but all losses from this war

o American Revolution

France did not even have to be involved in this war

However, they got involved in order to take a bit of revenge on Britain

as France was beaten in the 7 year war

The ideology

U.S. Aiming to achieve democracy, free themselves from colonialism

France at the time Absolute Monarchy – somewhat similar to

colonialism

o The ideology was brought back to France after the war

Alternative Ideology Age of Enlightenment

o Humanism- Rise of individuals

o Natural Laws

Philosophes- published the ideas

Subjects: Nature, Science, Politics, Psychology, Philosophy, Social Sciences

Secular

o Mass publication

Elites

Commoners

o Idea that natural laws can be applied to human society

No longer ruled by divine laws

Scholastic Philosophy

o Use of Reason

Reason with criticism to effect change

Challenge to Church and absolute Monarchy

People Personality of King Louis XVI

o Compared to King Louis XIV who was an intelligent king, King Louis XVI failed greatly

o Character- little charisma, audacity

o Ability- intellect & leadership lacking

o Enjoyed a luxurious life

Great amount of food & wine when people are starving

o Tried reforms with no success (1787)

Tried to make the first 2 estates pay taxes failed, led to a moderate size

revolution by the nobles

Personality of the Revolutionaries

o Character- Charismatic, boldness


o Ability- Intellect, leadership

o Ideas/Philosophy

Different roles

o Peasants, Sans Culottes, Tradesmen, Intellectuals, Nobility, Church, Royal Family,

Military

Crisis Intensify unhappiness in a problematic society

War/Financial problems

Political problems Decisions not working

Necessity problems

o Bad harvest

There was very little bread available in the market Bread prices go up

Despite this, the clergy and King Louis XVI with his family lived in luxury

Triggers Tennis Court Oath

o Consolidate the revolutionaries (20 June 1789)

o Bring about the leadership- tied the deputies together in a common cause

o These people refused to move when they were told to meet in their separate estates

o Swearing to carry on meeting until the government problem is solved

Storming of the Bastille (14 July 1789)

o The breakdown of prison

o The followers came

o More and more people joined the revolution

Calling of the Estates General - 1789(by King)

o Calling of representatives from the different estates

o Last done in 1614, 175 years later, it is again called by Louis XVI

o People bring about complains Not fulfilled Fuel the revolution


CHINA

Pre 1911 Dynasty rule

o So these guys kept on killing each other, taking over the country then separating the

country then reuniting the country then killing the previous person then taking the

throne, then kill the person again and eventually, it ended up in the hands of the

o QING/MANCHU DYNASTY

The last ruling dynasty of China

Adopted a defensive posture towards European imperialism

TWO Opium Wars, weaken Emperor’s control

1895: War with Japan, shattering defeat; other nations also dived into action

Reform was needed- Cixi’s nephew, the young Emperor, wanted to introduce

reforms into Chinese life

However, he was imprisoned by Cixi

Boxer Rising- Japan steps in to defeat it and capture Beijing looting &

destruction

Even the Empress saw the need for reforms but too late

Pu Yi (3) becomes last emperor- revolution starts within 3 years

Republic of China (1912-1949) Sun Yat-sen of KMT becomes provisional president of the republic; however, the presidency was

later given to Yuan Shikai

o Yuan Shikai proclaims to be the new Emperor of China (1915), but unpopular, abdicated

and dies in 1916

His death causes the fragmentation of China’s politics

National government was in Beijing, but powerless

Warlords come and exercise their powers in various regions of China

o These warlords fought against each other for the grand prize of Beijing

Students/Intellectuals wanted mass reform in China

o May Fourth Movement, Chinese Communist Party is set up with the help of USSR’s

Comintern

Foreign nations (except Japan) were busy with WWI (started in 1914)

KMT under Chiang Kai-shek reunifies the country in the late 1920s; but only strong enough to

tackle one warlord at one time

Remote mountain area in Jianxi province, Mao’s communist party was being set up

o Spreading of the Communist ideals suited for China

o KMT recognizes this movement, understands that it needs to stop


THE LONG MARCH (literally)

o Communists walked through China, fighting off against the nature as well as KMT forces

o Spreading of Communism throughout China

o Started off with 90,000, ended with far less

o Mao becomes head of CCP

o Builds the new base in Yenan

o Some consider it as a retreat- it may or may not have been one, but nevertheless, it

managed to spread communism beyond control

United Fronts between CCP and KMT

o First: To defeat the warlords

o Second: To defeat Japan during the Second Sino-Japanese War (WWII)

Chinese Civil War (Post-war)

o Battles and peace negotiations both continued

o Fight over Manchuria (Soviet Union and KMT)

o Full-scale war in 1946

U.S. helps KMT with military supplies and money

CCP: lack resources, but had the faith of the people

Continued to talk about the land reforms in countryside

Gave them almost unlimited supply of manpower

Eventually, CCP takes control & establishes People’s republic of China, KMT

retreats to Taiwan


MAO’s RULE Agrarian Reform Law (1950)

o Land transferred from rich landowners to peasants

o Collective farms- 8 million co-operatives in China, 90% belong here (1957)

Food production could not match population increase

(1953) Peasants encouraged to form co-operatives

Join together lands, grown one large crop efficiently

Resources pooled for equipment

o Trial for landlords & accusations against them

Five Year Plan (1953-1957)

o To make China into an industrial superpower

o Focus on heavy industries- steel, coal & chemicals

o Surpassed most targets, railways built, population increased

E.g. Steel- target: 4.12, actual: 5.24 million tons

Crude oil- target: 2, actual: 1.42 million tons

Social Reforms

o Health care: free, emphasis on prevention

o Literacy drive

But basic education only, saw higher intellectuals (e.g. university professors) as

enemies of communism

o Cities cleaned up (e.g. anti-rat campaign in Shanghai)

o Women’s status improved

Banned arranged marriages

Divorce made easier

More nurseries planned for women to join workforce

o Businesses under state control

o Propaganda

To expose opponents of communist rule

1951: 1.5 mil propagandists

Wall posters, discussion/accusation/story-telling groups, memory meetings

Each person with a target to meet

Use of radio programmes: extol success of communist programmes and

dispense advice on daily things

Control of newspapers

Tight control of society

Re-educated, sent to live with peasants, killed, follow Mao (hide true

feelings)


Hundred Flowers Campaign

o The idea of letting the intellectuals discuss and criticize

o Eventually, the criticism reached uncontrollable levels

o Advise that the government ruled democratically, telling CCP to step down

o Mao refused to take in these criticisms, ends campaign abruptly in 1957

o Large number of critics arrested, re-educated or lost their jobs

Great Leap Forward (1958-1960)

o Why?

Economic Problems

Co-operatives cannot keep up

Need for a system to use huge resources of labour effectively

Increase output to rival that of superpowers

Need for Chinese communism: Soviet-style not suitable

Increase prestige of communist China: communism as better, Strength of China

o How?

Mass Steel Campaign: To produce enough steel to surpass England

Creation of backyard furnaces

Quotas to be met- daily materials melted down (e.g. cooking pots)

Quality of steel: so poor that it could not be used

Communes: To support new industry, collective farms communes

Collection of villages – organised own schools, health care, etc.

City-dwellers used to improve infrastructure of country (e.g. dams)

Communes: abolished private land and property

o Brigades of 600-1000 people

Labour for harvesting channelled to steel production food shortage

o By 1960, it became a failure

Reasons behind failure:

Small-scale factories could not produce sufficient goods of high quality

o Lack technical expertise, brittle iron, impure, almost unusable

Food production suffered concentration on construction projects &

communes, people no longer paid as much as they worked

Famine (induced by weather)

Sino-Soviet split (1960) halt in aids

Effects:

Starvation: Poor weather (nature + human nature [but greater]); close

to 30 million died (1958-1962)

Decreased production: Not ready to develop so quickly, insufficient

knowledge production lower than in 1958

Some success: frauds govt. using millions to terrace Dazhai rocky hills

Challenges to Mao’s position: humiliation, cash bonuses (capitalist?)


Cultural Revolution (1966-1976)

o Failure of Great Leap Forward weaken Mao politically

o Rightists: implement economic policies against GLF

o Four targets (“Four olds”) Ideas, customs, culture, habits

o Why?

Transform society

Economic gap between countryside & towns

Cultural Purification to reach socialist goal of Equal Society

Reform CCP

Purify party ideologically, bring it back to true communism

Do away with ranks to prevent abuses

Correct thinking of intellectuals

Remove Mao’s political Enemies

Put the blames on the Capitalists

Punish those who criticise GLF and divert blame from himself

Regain prestige of CCP

o What? wud?

Told the high school/university students to rebel against authority no more hair checks?

Students urged to form Red Guards to criticise govt leaders and prof. workers

Widespread destruction of buildings/books/art associated w/foreign influence

Began peacefully, became violent in 1967 just 1 year… who let the students out? woof

1969- Red Guards gone too far, regular army to disband them

o Effects and Consequences

Towards Socialist road

Uproot millions of people

Professionals sent to countryside to work, not replaced appropriately

Economic Impact

Peasants had to sell whatever they produced to state

Markets and economic co-operation with West: FORBIDDEN

Near economic collapse (1966-1969)

Mao’s Authority restored

Enemies defeated hmm (e.g. Liu Shaoqi- in prison, beaten up, dead)

Loss of support for CCP

Internal fighting, loss of lives, social destruction lower prestige

Lost Generation

Scientific/Technical education suffers setback

Books destroyed, schools/universities closed

Scientists jailed/sent to labour camps/died from torture scientists, kids?

College exams suspended until 1977


Death of MAO

o After CR power struggle

o Lin Biao dies in ‘plane crash’

o Split leadership (Deng w/Zhou En-lai vs Gang of Four- arrested & put on trial)

o Significance

Greater political freedom: Democracy wall opened- until Tiananmen

Restored Prestige of CCP again?

Economic Moderation

Four modernisation: agriculture, industry, defence, science &technology

o Personal incentives re-introduced

Responsibility of Payments: surplus crops for family’s private profit after

quota to govt.

Special economic zones: Use of foreign investment

Reforming of Education system

Increase number of skilled workers in country

Control of population growth

One child per family campaign

Essay Questions Mao’s personal interest was the main factor behind the Cultural Revolution. How far do you

agree?

“Whatever Mao has done, he has done if for China.” How far do you agree with the statement?

“China was better and became better without Mao.” How far do you agree with the statement?

“Revolutions destroyed China more than building it.” How far do you agree with the statement?


GERMANY

RISE & FALL OF WEIMAR REPUBLIC 1929: Golden Twenties collapse mass unemployment, poverty & hunger

Many blame govt. voted for extremist politicians who claimed to know solution (e.g. HITLER)

New currency (Rentenmark) Bad for HITLAR (HITLER but cooler sounding)

The Dawes Plan – lower reparations payments, to pay as much as possible (from STRESEMANN-

Stressed out Prime Minister); replaced by Young plan 5 years later reduce even further

Improve foreign relations join League of Nations bad idea

Germany: no longer suffered from inflation, foreign banks: willing to lend money (mostly U.S.)

GREAT DEPRESSION someone has to ruin it.

o Worldwide economic depression began in U.S. sounds familiar?

o Bankrupt companies close down, workers lose jobs, low wages, short-time working,

worsening conditions of work

o Jobless become homeless

Nazis and the Depression (1929-1932)

o Reichstag: Too many parties no party ever had more than half the seats

End up in coalition could not agree on how much the jobless should be payed

Social Democrats resigned from govt.

o Government by decree: Allows President, in an emergency, to make laws without

consulting the Reichstag

Friends of President: had great influence (e.g. businessmen, Nazis, church)

o 1928: Nazis had 12 seats

o Election of 1930: Nazis had 107 seats Huge efforts to increase their support further

o 1932: Nazis become the biggest party in the Reichstag, HITLAR demands Chancellor seat

o Worries of Civil War if armed forces are used to seize the parties unstable nation

o Eventually Hindenburg (P) makes HITLAR the Chancellor (1933)

Through legal & illegal methods

Illegal: Munich Putsch Something like Hitler talks in Beer halls, tries

this rebel-kinda-thing (Putsch), fails and is imprisoned for high treason

Legal: Elections, propaganda communist: scapegoat

o HITLAR’s Leadership

Enlarge SA, set-up SS not social studies

Great Depression: Indecisive govt. vs. His leadership

Faithful supporters: SA, Middle-class, newspaper, Dr Joseph Goebbels

(propaganda dude), Herman Goering

o 1919 – 1923: UNSTABLE NATION POPULAR NAZIS

o 1924 – 1928: STABLE NATION UNPOPULAR NAZIS

o 1929 – 1933: UNSTABLE NATION POPULAR NAZIS


NAZI DICTATORSHIP (1933-1939) WHO IS HITLAR (HITLER now)

o Goes through a troubled childhood, Goes through WWI, Iron Cross for bravery, Gets

through prison, Becomes Nazi leader, Becomes chancellor, Becomes dictator

Reichstag Fire (Feb 1933): Reichstag building burnt down, not known who is responsible,

DECLARATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY by Hindenburg (P)

o VERY VIOLENT election campaigns followed, Elections, Nazis win

o Enabling Act (Mar 1933) is established Hitler can make laws w/o approval

o Trade Unions banned (May 1933), Other political parties banned (July 1933)

o Hindenburg dies in August 1934 Hitler combines President with Chancellor

NAZI DICTATORSHIP BEGINS

o Situation: SA was dangerous to Hitler wanted more power

o Hitler asks for absolute loyalty from his army Sworn to Hitler

o Absolute control begins (e.g. block leader on every street, complex party system, people

living in fear reporting of any suspicions Concentration camps

o Absolute control of Mind and Body

GERMANY Questions How far do you agree that unfavourable external events were the most important factor that

led to Hitler’s rise to power before 1933? Explain your answer.

As the Fuhrer, Hitler used several methods to consolidate his power in Germany after 1934.

Which do you think was the most effective approach? Explain your answer

Thematic Questions- VERY IMPORTANT Dictatorships

o What are some differences between each of the three dictatorships (Stalin, Mao &

Hitler)? Explain your answer.

o How similar are the main driving forces behind the dictatorships (Stalin, Mao & Hitler)?

Explain your answer.

o “All dictators are the same.” How far do you agree in reference to the dictatorships

(Stalin, Mao & Hitler)?

Revolutions

o “Revolutions are necessary to bring about greater good.” How far do you agree? Make

references to any 2 case studies.

o “Revolutions all become evolutions.” How far do you agree? How far do you agree?

Make references to any 2 case studies. (NOTE: THIS QUESTION IS UBER-HARD)

o “Revolutions are never successful.” How far do you agree? Make references to any 2

case studies.


Stalin vs. Hitler- Dictatorship: Fear or Assurance? Fear/Oppression Support/Assurance/Confidence

Hitler Stalin Hitler Stalin Pol - Murder anyone in Nazi Party who might

oppose him - Violence against other parties (e.g.

Communists) - Enabling Act: Seize power Law for

the protection of People & State

- Night of Long Knives: SA killed, SS kept (secret police)

- Churches seen as a threat: originally

voted for him, Pope criticizes Hitler after he dissolves Catholic Youth League

- Destroys Jews - Bible replaced w/ Mein Kampf

Propaganda

- Purges: Remove anyone who posed danger to his rule

(old Bolsheviks, Military, NKVD)

- Secret Police Usage

- Labour Camps

- Personality Cult: Used Propaganda: pictures & places named after him

- Masses of people supporting the Enabling

Act: Youths

- German workers & Farmers support Hitler

- Socialist Realism: Communism developing

- Children Education Taught that Stalin was a

great ruler Produce useful children

Econ 1935: Open Rearmament: Shows that Germany was strong, ready to face off

against the Allied forces Break Treaty of Versailles

Armed forces expanded in secret

Four Year plan: to make nation self-sufficient in food and raw materials The propaganda that guns are more

powerful than butter- standard of living drops, but army gets stronger

1st, 2nd, 3rd Five-Year Plans Heavy Industry increases,

state takeovers, Weaponry increases, consumer goods

increases Very difficult goals

Collectivization: Resistance destroy livestock

Prison punishment

Terror & Discipline Secret

Police & Fine

Building of Highway (Reichsautobahn)

Unemployment goes down

due to increase in jobs (e.g. jobs in the army)

Public work schemes (e.g. road-building programme:

80 000+ jobs) Military: Cut over a million in unemployment registers

Managed to provide for

the bigger Army

Job Creation Manual labour

Industrial workers

Incentives/Rewards Cash, birthday holiday,

national fame (e.g. Alexei Stakhanov the super-

miner)


Social Jews- persecuted, inferior race, sacking Nuremburg Laws: Strip Jews of basic

rights

Employment: Jobs were extremely difficult and did not pay much, forced

labour for 18-25 year-olds (must spend 6 months in Labour service, do military

service for two years)

Night of Broken Glass Raid of 10 000 Jewish shopkeepers; 200

synagogues burnt, fine of one billion marks (on Jews!), 91

murders, 20 000 in concentration camps

Anti-Semitic Propaganda spreading-

radio, press, campaigns, misinformation, restrictions

Police & Party Control

Police: SS Party: Complex structure, guard by blocks

Women sacked from judges, doctors,

teachers Could not serve on juries

Told to stick to “Three Ks”- Children, church, kitchen

Make-ups and trousers were discouraged, slimming was not

preferred

Massive Famines 7 million deaths between 1932 &

1934 Little Harvest + taken by

govt.

Destruction of Religion

Labour camps/Deported 10 million

Kulaks are crushed

Various Work Schemes National Labour Service

Public Work schemes Law to reduce

Unemployment Rearmament (see above)

Youth Nazi Schools:

Textbooks to teach Nazi Ideas, doubled PE CLASSES

Hitler Youth Involvement:

nearly all youngsters Camps that were

successful

Young Rebels: Antisocial behaviour + did the

banned things

Women given impt. Roles

Mother’s Schools: Train in household and parenting

skills Lectures, Radio

programmes on household topics

Women were viewed as important in contributing

to society Communism views:

Everyone has a part to play

Everyone must fight Everyone must

contribute to economy

History Notes

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