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aqa a level history nazi essay plan
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HISTORY ESSAY PLANSRED - PEOPLE
BLUE - KEY IDEAS
PURPLE - EXAMPLES
NAZI
‘The Weimar constitution was not democratic nor did it provide the basis for the stable
government.’ Assess the validity
Intro: although the weimar constitution had democratic aspects in terms of individual rights, it
had equally problematic and undemocratic aspects that caused unstable government
P1: proportional representation - caused proliferation (rapid growth) of small parties, anti
democratic parties like NSDAP could gain representation, mainstream parties like SPD and
DNVP have the same representation in 1919 as they did under the Kaiser in 1912, caused weak
coalition governments because no party could gain an overall majority eg. Several coalition
governments 1919-1923 such as Schiedmann’s, Bauer and Müller’s were all short-lived, the fact
that smaller parties could have representation may also be seen as democratic, the
consequences were still negative and support the question. (Agree with statement)
P2: egalitarianism and values of the constitution - constitution was egalitarian and clearly set out
the rights of individuals, guaranteed „full religious freedom“, „all germans are equal before the
law“, „censorship is forbidden“, women’s suffrage, Just because statements such as „all
germans are equal“ were in the constitution does not mean they were truly implemented eg.
Roma/sinti were discriminated against in Bavaria in 1926 with the „law for the fight against
Gypsies“, nevertheless weimar constitution clearly showed fully democratic social values
(disagree)
P3: powers given to the president - president could dissolve the reichstag, block new laws by
calling for a referendum, rule by decree in „national emergency“ using Article 48, Although the
president was still voted in every 7 years by men and women over 20, But the presidents
abilities were largely undemocratic eg. Ebert used Article 48 136 times, Many of these were not
truly emergencies (agree)
P4: content of the establishment - established amidst vast political/ social tensions, SPD won
election for constituent assembly but did not have an overall majority and had to compromise
with other parties (centre party and DDP) for the new constitution, General agreement that the
constitution should represent a clear break from Bismarck’s autocratic constitution BUT
representatives did not agree on all issues regarding the constitution, suggests that it was
somewhat democratic but did not provide a strong basis for government (agree + disagree)
P5: constitutional rights granted to institutions - Officer corps of the army under the second
empire was allowed to continue intact. This group was largely monarchic and conservative, civil
servants guaranteed „well earned rights“ which meant that government administration eg.
German foreign office was left in the hands of people who were antidemocratic, Article 54
guaranteed independence of the judiciary. Judges who served in the second empire remained in
their posts. This group was also monarchist and conservative which is why they often treated
left wing groups with severity and right wing groups leniently, Civil servants were only given their
rights in the terms that they would be loyal to the republic, the privileges granted to
undemocratic institutions is clearly another point to support the view that the weimar constitution
was not democratic (agree)
, CONCLUSION: statement is true due to the evidently undemocratic and weak aspects of the
constitution such as proportional representation and powers given to the president. Although it
still had democratic values the loopholes were ultimately very undemocratic and monarchic
‘The Weimar republic was never seriously threatened in the years 1919 - 1923.’ Assess the
validity
Intro: During the period of 1919- 1923 there were periods of threat but also some of stability…
P1: Right-Wing groups in the Reichstag eg. DVP, NSDAP, DNVP which were all nationalist.
NSDAP was limited to Bavaria. Kapp Putsch and Beer Hall Putsch, plus the Consul
Organisation which murdered Rathenau and Erzberger - 300 republicans. Loyalty towards the
old regime was deeply entrenched in powerful institutions, such as the universities, the police,
the judiciary (hence Hitler only received the minimum penalty for treason). Nothing properly
came of these threats.
P2: The Army - stood by the Kapp Putsch although were not outwardly disloyal to due to
Ebert-Groener Pact. left wing groups: Sparticist uprising go 1919, Red Bavaria (Kurt Eisner).
Had political representation in Reichstag - USPD and KPD, although they were fringe parties,
but a threat nonetheless due to proportional representation. Shows threat people were
supporting parties against the revolution
P3: Actions of the allies - treaty of versailles led to lack of faith in democracy and November
Criminal/Bourgeoisie Parties/Stresemann. French invasion of the Ruhr led to Passive
Resistance, the reparations led to Hyperinflation (fixed by Stresemann). Constitution - reinforced
the threat of these groups. Proportional representation - splinter parties could gain Reichstag
representation although they were mostly marginalised. Coalition governments led to
disagreements and less stable government. Article 48 led to an Erstazkaiser (substitute kaiser) -
Ebert used 138 times. Was under threat the government and constitution were not suited for
change.
P3 needs to be a disagree paragraph to show it was threatened.. so you could include here the
CONCLUSION:
‘The ‘Golden Age’ of the Weimar republic was a myth. Assess the validity
Intro: GA refers to the years 1924-28 in which there appeared to be massive economic
prosperity. That said, it is also important to consider that there were drawbacks to the regime
because of the dependency on America and the unemployment levels in Germany. But in these
years, Germany was able to recover from the hyperinflation crisis and the traumas of the Treaty
of Versailles (ToV). This can be seen in the fact that new economic plans were drawn up that
helped stabilise the economy, establishment of a new currency and greater control within the
economic sphere.
P1: Dependency on US - Loans provided by US under Dawes (1924), Economic recovery was
only due to foreign aid, therefore making it vulnerable to collapse, Wall Street Crash (29 oct
1929) proved this, indicates the GA was a myth because economic successes would not occur
independently, therefore no GA as economy did not prosper from within, rather from foreign aid.
P2: New currency introduced on 1 Nov 1923, By Aug 1924 backed by 30% of gold reserves
(backed by Schacht), Gustav’s 100 day plan worked, income was 12% higher than 1913,
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