Germany

=Part II: National Studies=

Option C: Germany 1918–1939
Past HSC Questions

Principal focus: Students investigate the key features and issues of the history of Germany 1918–1939.

Key features and issues:
 * successes and failures of democracy
 * nature and role of nationalism
 * influence of the German army
 * nature and influence of racism
 * changes in society
 * the nature and impact of Nazism
 * aims and impact of Nazi foreign policy

Students learn about:


 * 1 Weimar Republic**


 * emergence of the Democratic Republic and the impact of the Treaty of Versailles
 * political, economic and social issues in the Weimar Republic to 1929
 * collapse of the Weimar Republic 1929–1933
 * impact of the Great Depression on Germany


 * 2 The rise of the Nazi Party**


 * rise of the Nazi Party (NSDAP) from 1923
 * Hitler’s accession to power
 * initial consolidation of Nazi power 1933–1934


 * 3 Nazism in power**


 * Hitler’s role in the Nazi state
 * Nazism as totalitarianism
 * the role of propaganda, terror and repression; SA and SS; opposition to Nazism
 * social and cultural life in the Nazi state: role of Hitler Youth, women, religion
 * Nazi racial policy; anti-Semitism: policy and practice to 1939


 * 4 Nazi foreign policy**


 * nature of Nazi foreign policy: aims and strategies to September 1939
 * impact of ideology on Nazi foreign policy to September 1939