The 'Golden Years' of Weimar Germany (Edexcel GCSE History: Modern Depth Study (Paper 3))

Topic Questions

21 mins21 questions
11 mark

Which political party did Gustav Stresemann establish?

  • DVP

  • NSDAP

  • DNVP

  • DDP

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21 mark

What currency did Gustav Stresemann introduce to combat hyperinflation in 1923?

  • The Papiermark.

  • The Deutsche Mark.

  • The Rentenmark.

  • The Franc.

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31 mark

Why were the extremist parties outraged by the Dawes and Young Plan?

  • The extremist parties were outraged at the Weimar government’s plan to pay the reparations set out in the Treaty of Versailles.

  • The extremist parties were outraged at the Weimar government’s plan to refuse help from a foreign government.

  • The extremist parties were outraged at the Weimar government’s plan to lower taxes on German citizens with the help of the treaties.

  • The extremist parties were outraged at the Weimar government’s plan to not attack France and to allow them to leave the Rhineland.

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41 mark

In what year was the Locarno Treaties signed? 

  • 1924

  • 1925

  • 1926

  • 1929

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51 mark

Which of the following was not a term of the Locarno Treaties

  • France and Germany promised to keep peace with each other.

  • Germany accepted the western borders as stated in the 1919 Treaty of Versailles.

  • All members promised to keep the Rhineland demilitarised.

  • Germany was to be entered into the League of Nations.

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61 mark

When was Germany admitted into the League of Nations?

  • August 1925

  •  September 1926

  • October 1927

  • November 1928

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71 mark

What currency did the German government replace the Rentenmark in 1924?

  • The Reichsmark.

  • The Papiermark.

  • The Dutch Guilder.

  • The Euro.

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81 mark

Study Interpretation 1. Interpretation 1 is about Stresemann’s economic policies. What is the main view in this interpretation? 

Interpretation 1: An extract from the book Weimar Republic 1919-1933 by historian Ruth Henig. It was published in 1998. 

While the economy of the Weimar Republic was undoubtedly growing in the mid-1920s, thanks largely to foreign capital, many sections of the German population felt strongly that they were not receiving their fair share of rewards. Indeed, considerable numbers of small businessmen and farmers believed that it was their increasing taxes and contributions to welfare schemes which were helping to increase the wages and living standards of workers in the cities while they were sliding further into poverty and facing rising debt. 

  • The Weimar Republic was growing in the mid-1920s due to the work of farmers. 

  • Stresemann has increased the wages and living standards of workers in the cities. 

  • Not all sections of the German population felt that they were not receiving their fair share of rewards from Stresemann’s economic policies.

  • Stresemann’s economic policies helped all sections of the German population to prosper, especially the workers in urban areas.

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91 mark

Study interpretations 1 and 2. The interpretations are about Stresemann’s economic policies. What is the main difference between these two interpretations? 

Interpretation 1: An extract from The Weimar Republic 1919 - 1933 by historian Ruth Henig. It was published in 1998. 

While the economy of the Weimar Republic was undoubtedly growing in the mid-1920s, thanks largely to foreign capital, many sections of the German population felt strongly that they were not receiving their fair share of rewards. Indeed, considerable numbers of small businessmen and farmers believed that it was their increasing taxes and contributions to welfare schemes which were helping to increase the wages and living standards of workers in the cities while they were sliding further into poverty and facing rising debt.

Interpretation 2: An extract from A History of Germany by William Carr. It was published in 1969. 

Chancellor Gustav Stresemann’s ‘hundred days’ as Chancellor marked a real turning point in the Republic’s history. He took office when the Republic was at its lowest edd politically and economically but by the time the ‘great coalition’ collapsed in November 1923, the Republic was well on the road to recovery … confidence in the economy was restored, and reparations put on a realistic footing. 

  • Interpretation 1 states that Stresemann’s economic policies only benefitted some Germans. Interpretation 2 states that Stresemann’s economic policies helped Germany to restore its economy.

  • Interpretation 1 states that Stresemann’s economic policies benefitted all Germans. Interpretation 2 states that Stresemann helped to grow confidence in the economy until it was restored.  

  • Interpretation 1 states that Stresemann’s economic policies only helped small businessmen and farmers. Interpretation 2 states that Stresemann’s policies helped to establish ‘the great coalition’.

  • Interpretation 1 states that the economy of the Weimar Republic was growing in the mid-1920s due to foreign capital. Interpretation 2 states that the economy of the Weimar Republic was growing due to the reparations.  

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101 mark

Study Source C. Identify the purpose of Source C. 

Source C: The front page of the German satirical magazine “Simplicissimus” in 1923. Simplicissimus was a weekly independent magazine, and this image was created by Kar Arnold. It shows Gustav Stresemann as a guardian angel of the German Michel. The caption reads: “He looks to the right, he looks to the left - he will save me!”.  

A person (Gustav Stresemann) resembling an angel with wings supports a child walking on a tightrope above serpents. Flowers bloom on the left, and the background is pink.
  • The political cartoon teaches the readers of the magazine “Simplicissimus” to understand the religious teachings of the guardian angel Michel.

  • The political cartoon attempts to persuade the readers of the magazine “Simplicissimus” to support the economic policies of Stresemann. This is a piece of propaganda created by the Weimar government.  

  • The political cartoon entertains the readers of the magazine “Simplicissimus”. It portrays Stresemann as a weak leader, who is unable to guide Germany.

  • The political cartoon allows the readers of the magazine “Simplicissimus” to understand the complex political actions of Stresemann and their effects on Germany through illustrations and entertainment. 

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11 mark

What was a cause of the Dawes Plan in 1924?

  • Hyperinflation in Germany caused the Allies to consider reducing Germany’s reparations bill.

  • The German banker, Charles G. Dawes, asked the US for a reduction in reparations.

  • The Great Depression of 1929 caused the Allies to consider reducing Germany’s reparations bill.

  • Germany’s entry into the League of Nations made the Allies reconsider the reparations bill against Germany.

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21 mark

What impact did the 1924 Dawes Plan have on Germany’s economic position?

  •  US bank loans of $50 billion between 1924 and 1930 were given to German industry and helped increase industrial output by 60%.

  • US bank loans of £65 billion between 1924 and 1930 were given to German industry and helped increase industrial output by 45%.

  • US bank loans of $25 billion between 1924 and 1930 were given to German industry and helped increase industrial output by 50%.

  • US bank loans of $40 billion between 1924 and 1930 were given to German industry and helped to increase industrial output by 35%.

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31 mark

What was one consequence of the Locarno Treaties in 1925?

  • Germany accepted its eastern borders.

  • Germany promised to keep peace with France.

  • Germany withdrew from the League of Nations.

  • Germany demanded more territories in Africa.

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41 mark

How were the Locarno Treaties different to the Treaty of Versailles?

  • In the Locarno Treaties, all nations entered the agreements as equals. This was unlike the diktat of the Treaty of Versailles.

  • In the Locarno Treaties, only the nations of Germany and the US were involved. This was unlike the Treaty of Versailles, as the Allied nations were involved. 

  • In the Locarno Treaties, Germany’s entry into the League of Nations was not discussed. This was unlike the Treaty of Versailles, as Germany was refused entry into the League.

  •  In the Locarno Treaties, borders between France and Germany were not discussed. This was unlike the Treaty of Versailles, as the borders between France and Germany were discussed and reset.

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51 mark

What effect did the Young Plan of 1929 have on Germany’s reparations?

  • Increased them to £6.6 billion.

  • Reduced them to £2 billion.

  •  Eliminated them.

  • Keep them the same.

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61 mark

Study Interpretation 1. Interpretation 1 is about Stresemann’s economic policies. What contextual knowledge supports the views mentioned in Interpretation 1? 

Interpretation 1: An extract from The Course of German History by A.J.P. Taylor. It was published in 1945. 

Stresemann did German democracy a disservice. Streseman’s Republic was kept going by foreign success and the dose of success had constantly to be increased. Far from consolidating the Republic, Stresemann gave the Germans a taste for blood which the enemies of the Republic could more easily satisfy. 

  • The Dawes and Young Plan.  

  • The Treaty of Versailles.

  • The Marshall Plan.

  • The Four-Year Plan.  

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71 mark

Study Source A. Source A is about the Locarno Treaties. How does Source A support the following inference: 

“Not all of the members of the Locarno Pact intended to keep peace in Europe”? 

Source A: A political cartoon called ‘Treaty of Locarno’ by David Low, 5th September 1925.

A political cartoon depicting three men labelled "Briand," "Stresemann," and an unidentified man  in the centre shaking hands over a paper titled "The Pact." The caption reads "The Clasp of Friendship."
  • The three men in the cartoon are not looking at each other. This suggests that none of them plan to keep their promise of peace.

  • The cartoon shows Braind with his arm behind his back in a boxing glove, unlike Chamberlain and Stresemann who have both hands in the handshake.

  • The cartoon shows three members of Europe (Germany, France and Britain) shaking hands on top of the Locarno Treaties document.

  • The cartoon has been drawn in black and white. This is intentional, to show that the members of the treaty did not uphold the Locarno Treaties.

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11 mark

Why was Germany’s entrance into the League of Nations significant?

  • Extremist parties supported the Weimar Republic.

  • Moderate parties' support in the Weimar Republic started to decrease.

  • German citizens’ confidence in the Weimar Republic increased.

  • Members of the DVP started to lose confidence in Stresemann.

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21 mark

How similar were the Dawes and Young Plans?

  • The plans improved trade and employment in Germany.

  • The plans aimed to reduce the total reparations bill to £2 billion.

  • The plans gave Germany a 59-year extension to pay the reparations.

  • The plans used money from US banks as a loan to German businesses.

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31 mark

Study Source C. Source C is about Stresemann’s economic policies. What limitations does Source C have? 

Source C: The front page of the German satirical magazine “Simplicissimus” in 1923. Simplicissimus was a weekly independent magazine, and this image was created by Kar Arnold. It shows Gustav Stresemann as a guardian angel of the German Michel. The caption reads: “He looks to the right, he looks to the left - he will save me!”

A child walks on a tightrope, guided by an angel (Gustav Stresemann) with wings and a worried expression. Butterflies and flowers are on the left, and snakes are at the right end.
  • The source is limited because it does not tell the reader who the angel is representing.

  • The source is limited because it does not explain how Stresemann guided Germany.

  • The source is limited because it does not state who the little girl is in the picture.

  • The source is limited because it was created at the time of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

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41 mark

Study Interpretation 1 and Source A. Interpretation 1 discusses the success of Stresemann's economic policies. How does Source A support Interpretation 1? 

Interpretation 1: An extract from The Course of German History by A.J.P. Taylor. It was published in 1945. 

Stresemann did German democracy a disservice. Streseman’s Republic was kept going by foreign success and the dose of success had constantly to be increased. Far from consolidating the Republic, Stresemann gave the Germans a taste for blood which the enemies of the Republic could more easily satisfy. 

Source A: A political cartoon called ‘Treaty of Locarno’ by David Low, 5th September 1925.

A cartoon of three men labelled Briand, Stresemann, and another character shaking hands over a map labelled "The Pact," symbolizing friendship. Briand has one hand behind his back, this hand has a boxing glove on it.
  • Source A does not support Interpretation 1. Source A is about the Locarno Pact and Interpretation 1 is about Stresemann’s impact on the Republic. 

  • Source A supports Interpretation 1. Source A shows democracy working well as Stresemann was an elected representative making alliances on behalf of the German people, as stated in Interpretation 1.

  • Source A supports Interpretation 1. Source A shows violence from Braind as he has a boxing glove behind his back. Interpretation 1 states that the Germans got a “taste for blood”, which Stresemann gave them.

  • Source A supports Interpretation 1. Source A shows the Locarno Pact, which is an example of the “foreign success” that Interpretation 1 states kept the Republic from collapsing.

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