Question 1

Discuss why Nazism became popular in Germany by 1930.

Accepted Answer

Nazism became popular in Germany by 1930 due to a lot of reasons:The most apparent being the Great Depression. The Weimar Republic did little to remedy the country's economic downfall, and Hitler was presented as a saviour to the humiliated German people living in economic and political crises.The powerful speeches of Hitler in which he sought to build a great nation, undo the injustice of the Versailles Treaty, restore the dignity of German people and provide employment for all stirred hopes in people. Nazi propaganda was unique. Red banners with the Swastika, Nazi salute and the rounds of applause attracted the people making Nazism very popular.

Question 2

Explain what role women had in Nazi society. Return to Chapter 1 on the French Revolution and write a paragraph comparing and contrasting the role of women in the two periods.

Accepted Answer

Role of women in Nazi society followed the rules of a largely patriarchal or male-dominated society. Hitler hailed women as "the most important citizen" in his Germany, but this was true for only Aryan women who bred pure-blooded Aryan children. Motherhood was the only goal they were taught to reach for, apart from performing the stereotypical functions of managing the household and being good wives. This was in stark contrast to the role of women in the French Revolution where women led movements and fought for rights to education and equal wages. They were allowed to form political clubs, and schooling was made compulsory for them after the French Revolution.

Question 3

Describe the problems faced by the Weimar Republic.

Accepted Answer

After the defeat of Imperial Germany, the Weimar Republic came into existence. The Republic had a democratic constitution and a federal structure. The Republic was not well received by the people. The Weimar Republic faced many problems on all fronts-economic, political, and social. It was held responsible for the defeat in the First World War. The Republic had to pay war compensation and this put the Republic in deep financial crisis.Germany had fought the war largely on loans and had to pay war reparations in gold. Subsequently, gold reserves depleted and the value of the German market fell. Prices of essential commodities rose dramatically.The Weimar Republic faced problems on the political front also. The Constitution had many defects. The Constitution gave the President powers to impose emergency, suspend civil rights, and rule by decree. The Weimar Republic had 20 different cabinets within a short span of time. Soon people lost confidence in the democratic parliamentary system.

Question 4

What does the term 'Genocidal War' refer to?

Accepted Answer

The term 'Genocidal War' refers to the mass murder of a particular group of innocent civilians in Europe by Germany during the Second World War.

Question 5

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONExplain how the Great Economic Depression affected the German economy.

Accepted Answer

The Great Economic Depression (1929-1932) hit the German economy very badly. By 1932, industrial production was reduced to 40 per cent of the 1929 level. Workers lost their jobs or were paid reduced wages. The number of unemployed touched an unprecedented 6 million.Unemployed youths played cards or simply sat at street corners, or desperately queued up at the local employment exchange. In dearth of jobs, the youth took to criminal activities.There were deep anxieties and fears in people. The middle classes, especially salaried employees and pensioners, saw their savings diminish when the currency lost its value. Small businessmen, the self-employed and retailers suffered as their businesses got ruined. These sections of society were filled with the fear of being reduced to the ranks of the working class or worse still, the unemployed.The large mass of peasantry was badly affected by a sharp fall in agricultural prices and women, unable to fill their children's stomachs, were filled with a sense of deep despair.

Question 6

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTION What promises did Hitler make to the German people? How did he mobilise them?

Accepted Answer

(i) Hitler promised to build a strong nation, undo the injustice of the Versailles Treaty and restore the diginity of the German people.(ii) He promised employment for those looking for work, and a secure future for the youth.(iii) He promised to weed out all foreign influences and resist all foreign 'conspiracies' against Germany.In order to mobilise German people Hitler held massive rallies and public meetings. The Red banners with the Swastika, the Nazi salute and the ritualised rounds of applause after the speeches left deep influence on the minds of German people.

Question 7

Why did Germans feel humiliated by the Treaty of Versailles?

Accepted Answer

The Treaty of Versailles was harsh and humiliating because:(1) Germany lost its overseas colonies, a tenth of its population, 13% of its territories, 75 % of its iron and 26 % of its coal to France, Poland, Denmark, and Lithuania.(2) Germany was demilitarised to weaken its power.(3) The war guilt Clause held Germany responsible for the war and the damages the allied countries suffered.(3)Germany was forced to pay compensation amounting to £6 billion.

Question 8

Which of the following was a feature of Hitler's foreign policy?

Accepted Answer

Hitler acquired quick success in his foreign policy. (1) He pulled out of the League of Nations in1933.(2) He reoccupied the Rhineland in 1936.(3) He integrated Austria and Germany in 1938 under the slogan, One people, One empire, and One leader.(4)He went on to wrest German-speaking Sudentenland from Czechoslovakia and gobbled up the entire country.

Question 9

Discuss the factors contributing to the meteoric rise of Hitler.

Accepted Answer

Hitler was a powerful orator. His speech could mesmerise the masses.The factors responsible for the meteoric rise of Hitler are(i) He promised to build a strong nation, undo the injustice of the Versailles Treaty and restore the dignity of the German people.(ii) He assured employment for unemployed people and a secured future for the youths.(iii) He promised to control all foreign influence and resist all foreign conspiracies against Germany.(iv) He introduced a new style of politics. Nazi party held massive rallies and public meetings to demonstrate the support for Hitler and this massive mobilisation created a sense of unity among German people.(v) Nazi propaganda skilfully projected Hitler as a messiah, a saviour as someone who had arrived to save people from their distress.(vi) Hitler came during such a period when the dignity and pride of German people were totally shattered due to the defeat in the First World War and humiliating Treaty of Versailles. The crisis in the economy, polity and society formed the background of Hitler's rise to power.

Question 10

Who were called the 'November criminals'?

Accepted Answer

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