Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils study a modern society and the issues that affected it in great depth over a shorter period. They learn about the key events, developments, people and stories that shaped this modern society over a period of around twenty to thirty years.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain how the Great Depression led to increased support for the Communist Party in Germany.

Key Notes

• The Wall Street Crash of 1929 triggered a global depression, devastating Germany's economy.
• American loans funding German businesses were withdrawn and German industry collapsed leading to mass unemployment.
• The Weimar government failed to manage the crisis, with Hindenburg using Article 48, fuelling distrust in democracy.
• Desperation led many unemployed workers to support the Communists, who promised them control over the economy.
• Fear of communism drove many toward Hitler, and violent clashes between Nazis and Communists escalated.

Vocabulary To Learn

• depression: in this context, a period of economic hardship in which there is very little business activity and not many jobs

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Pupils may think that most unemployed Germans turned to communism.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• 1923, the Ruhr and hyperinflation Study Guide
• Early unrest and the Treaty of Versailles Study Guide
• Economic recovery under Stresemann Study Guide
• Employment in Nazi Germany Study Guide
• Goebbels and propaganda in Nazi Germany Study Guide
• Hitler's creation of a dictatorship Study Guide
• How Hitler became Chancellor of Germany Study Guide
• Nazi control of the police and the legal system Study Guide
• Nazi racial ideology and the treatment of minorities Study Guide
• Opposition and resistance in Nazi Germany Study Guide
• Social and economic change 1924-29 Study Guide
• Stresemann's international achievements Study Guide
• The early development of the NSDAP Study Guide
• The First World War and the German Revolution Study Guide
• The growth in support for the Nazi Party Study Guide
• The Munich Putsch Study Guide
• The Nazi Party and religion Study Guide
• The NSDAP's 'lean years' Study Guide
• The persecution of Jews Study Guide
• The Reichstag Fire and the Enabling Act Study Guide
• The Weimar Republic Study Guide
• Threats to the Weimar Republic from the left and the right Study Guide
• Weimar culture 1924-29 Study Guide
• Women in Nazi Germany Study Guide
• Work and life in Nazi Germany Study Guide
• Young people in Nazi Germany Study Guide