Download History Summer Work

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:
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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?