Political and governmental change, 1918–89 — Edexcel A-Level History
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Political and governmental change, 1918–89 explained
Political and governmental change, 1918–89 covers 3 specification points, including Creation of a republic, 1918–19; overcoming… and Establishing a dictatorship, 1933–34; nature….
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Creation and collapse of the Weimar Republic, 1918–33: creation of a republic, 1918–19; overcoming challenges to the democratic constitution, 1918–29; collapse of democracy, 1930–33.
The Weimar Republic was born from defeat and revolution in 1918–19, when the Kaiser abdicated and a democratic constitution was framed at Weimar. Its early years were precarious: the Treaty of Versailles, hyperinflation and uprisings tested the new democracy. From 1924, Stresemann's policies brought relative stability, but underlying weaknesses remained. After the Wall Street Crash, economic crisis and presidential intrigue eroded parliamentary government, and by 1933 democracy had collapsed. You must explain how the republic was created, how it survived challenges, and why it failed, using precise evidence and causal links.
Nazi dictatorship, 1933–45: establishing a dictatorship, 1933–34; nature of Nazi government, 1934–39; government in wartime, 1939–45.
After Hitler became Chancellor in January 1933, the Nazis rapidly established a dictatorship. The Reichstag Fire, Enabling Act and Night of the Long Knives removed opposition and consolidated power. From 1934 to 1939, Nazi government was characterised by Hitler's charismatic authority, competing agencies and the SS-police terror system. During the war, radicalisation intensified, with the Holocaust and total war. You must explain how the dictatorship was established, analyse its nature, and assess how government functioned in wartime, using precise evidence and historical debate.
Return to democratic government, 1945–89: creation of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), 1945–49; consolidation under Adenauer and Erhard, 1949–65; maintaining political stability under Brandt, Schmidt and Kohl, 1965–89.
After 1945, Germany was divided and occupied. In the western zones, the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) of 1949 created the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), a parliamentary democracy with a chancellor, a ceremonial president, a bicameral legislature and a strong constitutional court. The FRG's 'social market economy', associated with Erhard, and Adenauer's Western integration (NATO, EEC) underpinned consolidation, 1949–65. From 1965, Brandt's Ostpolitik, Schmidt's crisis management and Kohl's later chancellorship maintained stability, though challenged by terrorism and economic shifts. The FRG's democratic stability is assessed through its institutions, economic performance and popular consent.
Your focus
- Describe the key events in the creation of the Weimar Republic, 1918–19.
- Analyse the challenges faced by the democratic constitution between 1918 and 1929, and how they were overcome.
- Evaluate the reasons for the collapse of democracy between 1930 and 1933, reaching a supported judgement.
Show all 9 objectives
- Describe the key steps in the establishment of the Nazi dictatorship, 1933–34.
- Analyse the nature of Nazi government between 1934 and 1939, including the role of Hitler, the SS and the polycratic state.
- Evaluate how Nazi government functioned in wartime, 1939–45, and the extent to which it radicalised.
- Describe the key stages in the creation of the FRG, 1945–49.
- Explain how Adenauer and Erhard consolidated the FRG, 1949–65.
- Evaluate the extent to which Brandt, Schmidt and Kohl maintained political stability, 1965–89.
Political and governmental change, 1918–89 flashcards
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Weimar Republic
Political and governmental change, 1918–89 exam tips
Marking Points
- Explains the creation of the republic in 1918–19: the November Revolution, abdication of the Kaiser, the Council of People's Representatives, the National Assembly at Weimar and the adoption of the Weimar Constitution in August 1919.
- Analyses challenges to the democratic constitution, 1918–29: the Treaty of Versailles, the 'stab in the back' myth, political extremism (Spartacist uprising, Kapp Putsch, Munich Putsch), hyperinflation in 1923, and the subsequent stabilisation under Stresemann.
- Explains the collapse of democracy, 1930–33: the impact of the Great Depression, the rise in electoral support for the Nazis and Communists, the use of Article 48 and presidential cabinets (Brüning, Papen, Schleicher), and Hitler's appointment as Chancellor in January 1933.
- Evaluates the relative importance of structural weaknesses in the constitution, economic crises, and the role of individuals and elites in the collapse of democracy.
- Uses precise chronological knowledge and historical concepts (causation, consequence, change and continuity) to construct a coherent argument.
- Explains how the dictatorship was established in 1933–34: the Reichstag Fire, the Enabling Act, the banning of political parties and trade unions, the Night of the Long Knives, and the merging of the offices of Chancellor and President after Hindenburg's death.
- Analyses the nature of Nazi government, 1934–39: Hitler's role and style of leadership, the polycratic nature of the regime, the role of the SS and Gestapo, and the extent of terror and propaganda.
- Explains government in wartime, 1939–45: the radicalisation of the regime, the role of Hitler as war leader, the increasing power of the SS, the Holocaust, and the impact of total war on government structures.
- Evaluates different interpretations of Nazi government, such as intentionalist versus structuralist explanations, and the extent to which Hitler was a 'weak dictator' or a master of the Third Reich.
- Uses precise evidence and historical concepts (causation, consequence, change and continuity) to construct a coherent argument.
- Explains how the FRG was created 1945–49: wartime conferences, occupation zones, Marshall Plan, Berlin Blockade, and the drafting of the Basic Law.
- Analyses the consolidation under Adenauer and Erhard 1949–65: chancellorship, CDU/CSU dominance, social market economy, Western integration, and the 'economic miracle'.
- Evaluates how political stability was maintained under Brandt, Schmidt and Kohl 1965–89: Ostpolitik, crisis management, coalition changes, and responses to extremism.
- Uses specific evidence, such as the Basic Law's constructive vote of no confidence, the 1957 Rome Treaties, the 1972 Basic Treaty, and the 1982 'Wende'.
- Assesses continuity and change in democratic government across the period, including the role of the Constitutional Court and the party system.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Practise writing analytical paragraphs that make a clear point, use specific evidence, and explain significance rather than simply narrating events.
- 💡When evaluating causation, explicitly compare factors and reach a substantiated judgement about which was most significant.
- 💡Use past paper questions to practise timing and planning, ensuring you address all parts of the question and maintain a clear line of argument.
- 💡When discussing interpretations, clearly state the view and support it with evidence, then evaluate its strengths and weaknesses.
- 💡Use specific examples to illustrate the nature of Nazi government, such as the Night of the Long Knives or the Wannsee Conference.
- 💡Practise planning essays that require you to assess change over time, ensuring you cover the whole period 1933–45.
- 💡Plan essays around clear criteria, such as political, economic and social stability, and apply them consistently to each chancellor.
- 💡Integrate precise dates and terms, for example the Basic Law (1949), the Hallstein Doctrine (1955), and the 1972 Basic Treaty.
- 💡When assessing 'maintaining stability', weigh achievements against challenges like the 1977 'German Autumn' and economic recessions.
Common Mistakes
- Error: treating the Weimar Republic as doomed from the start without considering the period of relative stability 1924–29. Correction: weigh both the successes of the Stresemann era and the underlying weaknesses that persisted.
- Error: confusing the dates of key events, such as placing the Kapp Putsch in 1923 instead of 1920. Correction: create a timeline of major events to secure accurate chronological knowledge.
- Error: attributing the collapse of democracy solely to Hitler's actions. Correction: consider the roles of economic crisis, constitutional flaws, and the decisions of conservative elites such as Hindenburg, Papen and Schleicher.
- Error: assuming that Nazi government was highly efficient and centrally controlled. Correction: recognise the polycratic and chaotic nature of the regime, with overlapping responsibilities and competing agencies.
- Error: overemphasising Hitler's role while neglecting the contributions of other individuals and organisations, such as Goebbels, Himmler and the SS. Correction: consider the interplay between Hitler's authority and the actions of subordinates.
- Error: treating the Holocaust as a separate topic unrelated to government structures. Correction: integrate the Holocaust into the analysis of wartime radicalisation and the role of the SS and other agencies.
- Confusing the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) with the German Democratic Republic (GDR); correction: the FRG was the western democratic state, while the GDR was the eastern socialist state.
- Assuming the FRG was created in 1945; correction: the FRG was formally established in 1949 with the Basic Law.
- Overstating the role of the president; correction: the chancellor held executive power, while the president was largely ceremonial.