Germany 1890-1945: Democracy and Dictatorship, is a period study that investigates Germany's journey from an Imperial power to a democracy, and then investigates how it was transformed into a dictatorship. The course focuses on the relatively new German Empire and its early problems, culminating in the First World War. The course also investigates the origins of the Weimar Republic, its challenges, and how it sought to overcome those challenges. You will study a range of significant events, people and situations, which shaped the German landscape throughout this tumultuous time period, and you will look at the significant shifts in German society from internal and external pressures.

This study enables you to understand the complexities and challenges facing Germany, politically and socially, from its early relationships with other imperial powers to its development as a democracy, and how this was dismantled to form a one party state under the Nazis. You will explore themes such as: nationalism and the meaning of statehood, the struggle for democracy, and the rise of fascism. Through the study of this topic you will develop key historical skills such as cause and consequence, and change and continuity. You will also be encouraged to develop your critical thinking skills through the analysis of interpretations.

Germany 1890-1945: Democracy and Dictatorship features 3 key enquiry topics:

• ❖ Enquiry 1 looks at the growth of democracy in Germany. It focuses on the problems faced by the Kaiser in ruling Germany; and the growth of socialism. You will study the increase in international tensions, the outbreak of the First World War, and its impact on Germany. This enquiry ends with the growth of democracy in Germany, its initial struggles with the economy, rebellion and isolation, and, finally, how it overcame these problems. You will study the 'golden age' of Weimar, and how key figures such as Gustav Stresemann stimulated recovery and international cooperation.
• ❖ Enquiry 2 looks at Germany and the devastating impact of the Wall Street Crash and the Great Depression on Germany. You will investigate how this resulted in the rise of extremist parties such as the Nazis. You will study the collapse of democracy and how key individuals contributed to this. You will investigate the rise of Adolf Hitler to the position of Chancellor in 1933, how he consolidated his power, and how this culminated in his becoming Führer.
• ❖ Enquiry 3 looks the experiences of Germans under the Nazis. You will investigate the benefits and drawbacks of the economic changes, from the problems of self-sufficiency, employment, and the Four Year Plan. You will study the huge social shifts in the role of women, the persecution of the Jews and other undesirables, and the indoctrination of Germany's children. You will learn about the bravery and futility of those who resisted the Nazis. Finally, you will investigate the origins of Nazi ideology and culture, and how this led to a path of persecution, culminating in the Second World War and the Holocaust.

Some of the key individuals studied on this course include:

• ❖ Kaiser Wilhelm II.
• ❖ Friedrich Ebert.
• ❖ Rosa Luxemburg.
• ❖ Wolfgang Kapp.
• ❖ Gustav Stresemann.
• ❖ Paul von Hindenburg.
• ❖ Franz von Papen.
• ❖ Adolf Hitler.
• ❖ Joseph Goebbels.
• ❖ Hans and Sophie Scholl.

Some of the key events you will study on this course include:

• ❖ The outbreak of the First World War in 1914, and the end of the German Empire.
• ❖ The signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
• ❖ The Year of Crisis in 1923.
• ❖ The impact of the Wall Street Crash and Depression on Germany.
• ❖ Hitler becoming chancellor in 1933.
• ❖ The Night of the Long Knives in 1934.
• ❖ The Nuremberg Laws in 1935.
• ❖ Kristallnacht in 1938.
• ❖ The growth of opposition to the Nazis during the Second World War, including the Swing Youth and the White Rose Group.

Germany 1890-1945: Democracy and Dictatorship is the Period Study component of your AQA qualification. It forms the first part of Paper 1. You will have two hours for Paper 1, and you should spend one hour on this section. There are 6 questions on this section of the paper, with a total of 40 marks.

• ❖ Question 1 is worth 4 marks. This question requires you to describe and explain how two interpretations are different.
• ❖ Question 2 is worth 4 marks. This question requires you to describe and explain why the two interpretations are different.
• ❖ Question 3 is worth 8 marks. This question requires you to explain how convincing the interpretations are. You must give a substantiated judgement based on the interpretations and your contextual knowledge.
• ❖ Question 4 is worth 4 marks. This is a describe question in which you must provide 2 detailed reasons/examples/features about a particular topic covered in Germany 1890-1945.
• ❖ Question 5 is worth 8 marks. This question will test your understanding of second order concepts (cause, consequence, change, continuity, etc.). In this question you must demonstrate your knowledge of a topic you have covered, and give different reasons based on the second order concept you have been given.
• ❖ Question 6 is worth 12 marks. This question will ask you to write about two events, individuals or situations, and will ask you to make a sustained judgement about which was the more important factor, using your contextual knowledge and understanding of second order concepts.