Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils undergo a period study that provides an unfolding narrative which tells a story about a period that shaped the world we live in today. They look at the key events, developments, people and stories that defined the chosen period.

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• American loans funding German businesses were withdrawn and German industry collapsed leading to mass unemployment.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
• Germany before the First World War Study Guide
• Germany's naval ambitions before the First World War 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
• Industrialisation, social reform and the growth of socialism Study Guide
• Nazi racial ideology and the treatment of minorities Study Guide
• Opposition and resistance to Hitler and the Nazi Party Study Guide
• Stresemann's international achievements Study Guide
• The Final Solution Study Guide
• The First World War and the German Revolution Study Guide
• The growth in support for the Nazi Party Study Guide
• The Nazi economy and WW2 Study Guide
• The Nazi Party and religion Study Guide
• The Nazi police state Study Guide
• The persecution of Jews Study Guide
• The putsches of 1919-23 Study Guide
• The Reichstag Fire and the Enabling Act Study Guide
• The Weimar Republic 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