Essay questions from previous exams

SACE 2018

Topic 3: Germany (1918—48)

7 'Prior to the Great Depression, the liberal experiment in Germany was a political failure.'

8 'Popular appeal enabled the Nazis to gain power in 1933.'

9 'The defeat of the Third Reich was the result of internal factors.'

SACE 2019

Topic 3: Germany (1918—48)

7 'Developments in the arts during the Weimar Republic reflected Germany’s changing society.’

8 ‘The Nazi Party’s economic policies were key to the party’s transition away from the political fringe.’

9 ‘The experience of Nazism was damaging for the majority of Germans.’

SACE 2020

Topic 3: Germany (1918-48)

7. 'The Weimar Republic failed because of challenges by extreme left-wing and right-wing groups.'

8. 'The success of the Nazi Party between 1929 and the end of 1933 was primarily due to key

individuals, both inside and outside the party.'

9. 'The Berlin crisis stemmed from a fear of a reunited Germany.'

SACE 2021

Topic 3: Germany (1918-48)

7. 'Political instability was the key reason for the Weimar Republic's ineffectiveness.'

8. 'The institutionalisation of anti-Semitism was the primary feature of the Nazi state before 1939.'

9. 'The Nazi regime faced ineffective resistance from the German people during the Second World War.'

SACE 2022

Topic 3: Germany (1918-48)

7. 'Changes in German culture and society from 1919 to 1932 weakened public support for the

Weimar Republic.'

8. 'Growing support for the Nazi Party was primarily a response to the party's policies for addressing Germany's problems.'

9. 'A shortage of resources contributed significantly to the defeat of the Nazi state.'

SACE 2023

Topic 3: Germany (1918-48)

7. 'Economic problems overwhelmed the Weimar Republic.'

8. 'Fear of communism enabled the Nazi party to consolidate power.'

9. 'Total War fundamentally changed German society

SACE 2024

7. 'Cultural developments in Weimar Germany reflected the changing nature of society.’

8. ‘The majority of Germans actively supported the Nazi State between 1933 and 1939.'

9. 'The de-Nazification of Germany was challenging primarily for the German public.'

Essay questions by topic.

Weimar

2018 - 'Prior to the Great Depression, the liberal experiment in Germany was a political failure.'

2020 - 'The Weimar Republic failed because of challenges by extreme left-wing and right-wing groups.'

2021 -  'Political instability was the key reason for the Weimar Republic's ineffectiveness.'

2022 - 'Changes in German culture and society from 1919 to 1932 weakened public support for the Weimar Republic.'

2023 - 'Economic problems overwhelmed the Weimar Republic.'

2024 - 'Cultural developments in Weimar Germany reflected the changing nature of society.’

Nazi rise to power

2018 - 'Popular appeal enabled the Nazis to gain power in 1933.'

2020 -  'The success of the Nazi Party between 1929 and the end of 1933 was primarily due to key individuals, both inside and outside the party.'

2021 -

2022 - 'Growing support for the Nazi Party was primarily a response to the party's policies for addressing Germany's problems.'

2023 -  'Fear of communism enabled the Nazi party to consolidate power.'

Nazi state

2021 - The institutionalisation of anti-Semitism was the primary feature of the Nazi state before 1939.'

2023 - Total War fundamentally changed German society

2024 - ‘The majority of Germans actively supported the Nazi State between 1933 and 1939.'

Nazi defeat

2018 - 'The defeat of the Third Reich was the result of internal factors.'

2019 -

2020 -

2021 - 'The Nazi regime faced ineffective resistance from the German people during the Second World War.'

2022 - 'A shortage of resources contributed significantly to the defeat of the Nazi state.'

2024 - 'The de-Nazification of Germany was challenging primarily for the German public.'

Other

2020 - 'The Berlin crisis stemmed from a fear of a reunited Germany.'

Other possibilities

The Liberal Experiment

'The Dawes and Young Plan provided economic recovery for the Weimar Republic'

‘The Weimar Republic was successful in dealing with Germany’s economic problems.’

‘The majority of Germans welcome the changes in society during the Weimar Republic.’

“The failure of the Weimar Republic to deal with radical groups led to its demise.’

'Political instability was the key reason for the Weimar Republic's ineffectiveness.'

The Road to Dictatorship

Hitler coming to power question can be varied. Might be on Great Depression, might not be. I have put a couple here.

‘Hitler and the Nazis came to power in 1933 through the effective use of propaganda.’

‘The German people welcomed strong leadership by the Nazi Party.’

‘Hitler and the Nazis came to power due to the weaknesses of their opponents.’

‘The Nazis used terror to consolidate their power.’

The Nazi State in Peace and War

‘Hitler and the Nazis enjoyed the support all of Germans.’

‘The Second World War caused the Nazis to become more extreme.’

‘The defeat of the Third Reich was due to external factors.’

‘By 1948 Germany had recovered from the impacts of Nazism.’

To what extent was the failure of denazification in Germany (1945-48) a result of the apathy of the allies?