Why did the Weimar Republic fail?

The Weimar Republic failed due to a combination of structural weaknesses in its constitution (like Article 48 and proportional representation), the economic devastation of the Great Depression, and a lack of support from traditional elites (judges, army) who preferred authoritarian rule. These factors allowed the Nazi Party to exploit public misery and present themselves as the only alternative to chaos.

How did the Nazis control the German people?

Control was achieved through a 'carrot and stick' approach. The 'stick' involved terror and surveillance via the Gestapo, SS, and concentration camps. The 'carrot' involved propaganda, the cult of the Führer, and economic initiatives like the 'Strength through Joy' (KdF) program which provided leisure activities for loyal workers.

What was the 'Economic Miracle' in West Germany?

Known as the 'Wirtschaftswunder', this was the rapid reconstruction and development of the West German economy in the 1950s. It was fueled by the Marshall Plan aid from the USA, the introduction of the Deutsche Mark, and the leadership of Economics Minister Ludwig Erhard, which transformed the FRG into one of the world's leading industrial powers.

Why was the Berlin Wall built in 1961?

The Wall was built by the GDR government to stop the 'brain drain'—the mass exodus of skilled workers and professionals fleeing to the West via the open border in Berlin. Between 1949 and 1961, nearly 2.7 million people left East Germany, threatening the state's economic survival. The Wall was officially called the 'Anti-Fascist Protective Rampart' by the East.

What role did Mikhail Gorbachev play in German reunification?

Gorbachev's policies of 'Glasnost' (openness) and 'Perestroika' (restructuring) in the USSR signaled that the Soviet Union would no longer use military force to prop up communist regimes in Eastern Europe. This 'Sinatra Doctrine' encouraged East German protestors and made it impossible for the GDR leadership to maintain control without Soviet backing, leading directly to the fall of the Wall.

The Development of Germany, 1919-1991

WJEC

GCSE

This period study examines the key trends and turning points in the development of Germany between 1919 and 1991, focusing on political, social, economic, and cultural perspectives that shaped the lives of the German people.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

The Development of Germany, 1919-1991, is a core depth study for WJEC GCSE History that tracks the nation's turbulent journey from the collapse of the Kaiser's empire to the reunification of a divided state. It begins with the fragile Weimar Republic, born out of the trauma of World War I, and explores how economic catastrophe and political instability paved the way for the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. This period is crucial for understanding how a modern democracy can collapse into a totalitarian dictatorship.

The second half of the course shifts focus to the post-1945 landscape, where Germany became the front line of the Cold War. You will examine the starkly different paths taken by West Germany (FRG) and East Germany (GDR), comparing the 'Economic Miracle' of the West with the surveillance state of the East. The course concludes with the dramatic fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the formal reunification of Germany in 1990, marking the end of the Cold War era in Europe.

Studying this topic allows you to engage with fundamental themes of power, ideology, and resilience. It fits into the wider historical context of 20th-century international relations, helping you understand how internal German developments—from the Treaty of Versailles to the Stasi's control—influenced global politics and continue to shape the European Union today.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→The transition from democratic fragility (Weimar) to totalitarian control (Third Reich).
→The impact of economic volatility, including the 1923 Hyperinflation and the 1929 Great Depression, on political loyalty.
→The 'Divided Nation' concept, comparing the capitalist democracy of the FRG with the communist socialist state of the GDR.
→The role of popular protest and shifting international relations in the collapse of the GDR and the process of Reunification.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Weimar Government success and problems 1919-1933
Impact of the First World War and Treaty of Versailles
Economic and political reform under Stresemann
Rise of the Nazi Party and consolidation of power 1933-1934
Life under Nazi rule 1933-1939 (economy, workers, women, children, Jews)
Life during the Second World War (Home Front, opposition, treatment of Jews, impact of defeat)
Division of Germany and conditions in West and East Germany after 1949
Cold War relations (Berlin Blockade, Airlift, Berlin Wall, military alliances, Ostpolitik)

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Weimar Government success and problems 1919-1933
Impact of the First World War and Treaty of Versailles
Economic and political reform under Stresemann
Rise of the Nazi Party and consolidation of power 1933-1934
Life under Nazi rule 1933-1939 (economy, workers, women, children, Jews)
Life during the Second World War (Home Front, opposition, treatment of Jews, impact of defeat)
Division of Germany and conditions in West and East Germany after 1949
Cold War relations (Berlin Blockade, Airlift, Berlin Wall, military alliances, Ostpolitik)
Reunification of Germany in 1990 (collapse of communism, role of Helmut Kohl, end of Cold War)

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Focus on second order historical concepts including continuity, change, cause, consequence, significance, similarity and difference.
💡Ensure understanding of the distinction between short-term and long-term developments.
💡Construct balanced, reasoned and well-substantiated extended responses.
💡Demonstrate chronological grasp and the ability to make connections between different periods.
💡When answering questions on the rise of the Nazis, always distinguish between long-term factors (like the Treaty of Versailles) and short-term triggers (like the Wall Street Crash).
💡In 'How significant' questions, ensure you define what 'significance' means in that context—did it affect many people, did it last a long time, or did it lead to a major change in policy?
💡Use specific terminology such as 'Gleichschaltung' for the Nazi coordination of society or 'Ostpolitik' for Willy Brandt's policy of easing tensions between East and West.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Students often believe Hitler seized power through a violent coup d'état. In reality, while the Nazis used violence, Hitler was legally appointed Chancellor in January 1933 following a series of democratic elections and political maneuvering.
There is a common confusion that the Berlin Wall was built immediately after WWII in 1945. It was actually erected in August 1961 to stop the 'brain drain' of workers fleeing from East to West Berlin.
Many assume the Weimar Republic was a total failure from start to finish. However, the 'Golden Years' (1924-1929) under Gustav Stresemann saw significant economic recovery and a flourishing of German culture.

Revision Plan

How to revise this topic in 1–2 weeks

1Week 1, Days 1-3: Create a detailed timeline from 1919 to 1939, focusing on the 'crises' of Weimar and the specific steps Hitler took to consolidate power (Reichstag Fire, Enabling Act, Night of the Long Knives).
2Week 1, Days 4-7: Study life in Nazi Germany, specifically the impact on youth, women, and minorities. Practice 'Source Evaluation' questions using contemporary propaganda.
3Week 2, Days 1-3: Compare and contrast the FRG and GDR. Focus on the 'Economic Miracle' vs. the planned economy, and the role of the Stasi in the East.
4Week 2, Days 4-7: Focus on the 1980s—Gorbachev's reforms, the protest movements in Leipzig, and the fall of the Wall. Complete at least two full past papers under timed conditions.

Exam Question Types

How this topic typically appears in the exam

📋Source Analysis (Evaluation): You will be asked how useful a source is for an enquiry. Focus on the content, but crucially evaluate the provenance (who wrote it, when, and why) to determine reliability.
📋Describe Question: A 4-6 mark question requiring specific factual recall. Use the 'PEEL' (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) structure even for shorter answers to ensure you hit all detail points.
📋The 'How Significant' Essay: This requires an evaluation of an event's impact. You must provide a balanced argument, looking at different areas of life (political, economic, social) before reaching a conclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•A basic understanding of the causes and outcome of World War I.
•Knowledge of the terms of the Treaty of Versailles (1919).
•Familiarity with the basic differences between Capitalism and Communism.

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Explain

Analyse

Evaluate

To what extent

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

The Development of Germany, 1919-1991

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Revision Plan

Exam Question Types

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC GCSE History

Austerity, Affluence and Discontent: Britain, 1951-1979

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Changes in Health and Medicine in Britain, c.500 to the present day

How to Revise The Development of Germany, 1919-1991 — WJEC GCSE History

Examiner Tips for The Development of Germany, 1919-1991

Key Marking Points

The Development of Germany, 1919-1991

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Revision Plan

Exam Question Types

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Weimar Republic fail?

How did the Nazis control the German people?

What was the 'Economic Miracle' in West Germany?

Why was the Berlin Wall built in 1961?

What role did Mikhail Gorbachev play in German reunification?

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC GCSE History

Austerity, Affluence and Discontent: Britain, 1951-1979

Changes in Crime and Punishment in Britain, c.500 to the present day

Changes in Entertainment and Leisure in Britain, c.500 to the present day

Changes in Health and Medicine in Britain, c.500 to the present day