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A LEVEL HISTORY COURSE OVERVIEW Course overview and expectations Everyone can benefit from the study of history. It is a special subject because through studying the past it provides a frame of reference to interpret experience and understand the present. By considering social, economic, cultural and political questions history underpins key contemporary issues. It helps to develop a sense of critical review – it shows us that our values and ways do not have to be the way they are and that we can change things if we choose. We hope you will enjoy and feel fulfilled by the course, that you find it challenging and exciting – and that you are successful in your studies. The A level course The A level course is a two year course at the end of which you will sit three examinations and submit one piece of coursework. In year 12 students will begin the first three units which make up the examination part of the course: Unit 1: Breadth Study: Germany and West Germany 1918 – 1989 Unit 2: Depth Study: The rise and fall of fascism in Italy 1911 – 1946 Unit 3: Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain 1780 - 1928 Unit 4: Coursework: Causes of the Cold War will start in the summer term The A level course will help you: Gain an interest in the subject and its study Develop an understanding of people in past societies, their problems, values and attitudes Develop historical skills in order to promote independence of mind and tolerance of the opinions of others Learn to present a clear, concise, logical and relevant argument, revealing sound judgement and powers of selection Improve your written communication skills Work independently and carry out your own research Participate in discussion and offer articulate, well-reasoned comments Make effective use of sources of information Reach your academic potential Examination Board: Edexcel Deadline: AS HISTORY: SUMMER WORK Germany and West Germany: 1918 – 1989 Germany 1919 – 1989: timeline of events Task 1: Make a timeline – with pictures 1871 Germany is created and soon becomes a powerful economic and military state. 1914 - 1918 World War 1: Germany and Austria are at war with Britain, France and Russia Autumn 1918 February 1919 The German Republic is declared and Kaiser Wilhelm abdicates. The new government signs the armistice ending the war The Weimar Republic is set up with Ebert as the first President. June 1919 The Treaty of Versailles is signed and imposed on Germany April 1921 The Allies fix the amount of reparations Germany has to pay at £6600 million January 1923 French troops occupy the Ruhr. Hyperinflation sweeps across Germany August 1923 Stresemann becomes Chancellor. November 1923 Hitler leads the Munich Putsch but fails to overthrow the government April 1925 General Hindenburg is elected President 1925 – 1929 The Golden Years October 1929 The Wall Street Crash in the USA leads to economic collapse in Germany. July 1932 The Nazi Party becomes the biggest party in the Reichstag winning 37% of the vote January 1932 Hindenburg is persuaded to appoint Hitler as Chancellor. August 1934 Hindenburg dies, Hitler combines the posts of Chancellor and President. 1933 - 1939 Nazi philosophy and policies are implemented November 1938 Krystallnacht September 1939 Hitler invades Poland – WW2 begins. 1940 - 41 Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Luxemburg and France fall to the Nazis. Jan 1942 Wannsee conference – agreed the final solution to the Jewish question 1945 Hitler commits suicide and Germany surrenders 1945 - 1949 1949 De Nazification of Germany begins – Germany is temporarily split into 4 zones and controlled by the Allies The Federal Republic of Germany is set up 1950s Rapid economic growth and political stability under Adenauer in the FRG 1961 The Berlin Wall 1963 Adenauer forced to step down following the Der Spiegel incident 1963 - 1969 Erhard and then Kiesinger are Chancellors – Germany hit by the world economic recession 1969 - 1974 SPD leader, Brandt becomes Chancellor heading a Grand Coalition 1970s Growing left wing opposition and terrorism inside Germany as well as economic challenges caused by the oil crises Helmut Schmidt continues Brandt's policy of "Ostpolitik". 1974 1982 1989 Kohl becomes Chancellor. The gap between the rich and poor widens and unemployment rises The collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe and the fall of the Berlin Wall - reunification of East and West Germany. Task 2: Explain the following - they all appear in the timeline What is … Reich Abdicate Kaiser Armistice Krystallnacht Constitution Chancellor Republic Reparations Allies Wannsee Conference Ostpolitik Philosophy Reichstag Economy Berlin Wall Hyperinflation De Nazification Coalition Recession All of these words were used in the timeline – but what do they mean? Task 3: Sort the statements into these categories: Political Economic Social Military Unsure Initially the war seemed to have united Germans but the strain of fighting for four years heightened tensions and disagreements resurfaced. The war had a significant impact on Germany. Shortages of fuel and raw materials were made worse by the harsh winter of 1916-1917 Workers earnings and living standards fell by 20 – 30% In the winter of 1916- 1917 Germany’s rivers and railways froze adding to transportation problems Events in Russia (the revolutions) provided inspiration for the discontented and those who were opposed to the war The reduction in the bread ration in April 1917 led to strikes and demonstrations – people called for an end to the war A Spanish flu epidemic swept across Europe in 1918 killing hundreds of thousands Meat consumption fell to 12% of pre war levels Coal production in 1917 was 90% of what it had been in 1913, despite the increasing demand There was growing opposition to the war, partly because of the huge loss of life and partly because of the shortages Clothing and soap were in short supply Deaths from starvation and hypothermia rose from 121000 in 1916 to 293000 in 1918 Between 1913 and 1918 the value of the mark fell by 75% The British blockade of German ports led to severe shortages of food and raw materials 2 million soldiers were killed and 6.3 million were wounded in the fighting The German army was exhausted and retreating by the summer of 1918. Morale was low With the USA in the war, a German defeat was inevitable although many Germans were unaware of how badly the war was going Political unity and support for the war broke down by 1917 The cost of the war for Germany was estimated at £8.4 billion The appalling conditions led to the rise of communist groups who were calling for revolution Germany’s allies were on the verge of collapse and seeking peace Agricultural production fell – the potato harvest was hit by bad weather, the wheat harvest by shortage of labour Soup kitchens provided meals for the starving. In Hamburg 6 million meals were handed out in April alone By 1918 there was widespread anger and discontent inside Germany. Strikes in major cities like Berlin involved a million workers The government became increasingly authoritarian and militaristic. Generals Hindenburg and Ludendorff effectively ran Germany Task 4: Initially the war seemed to have united Germans but the strain of fighting for four years heightened tensions and disagreements resurfaced. The war had a significant impact on Germany. Write a summary in no more than 50 words: What was the impact of WW1 on Germany?