HISTORY - Germany in Transition and The Elizabethan Age
The following contains information directly from the WJEC/EDUQAS Specification. For each unit of study, there is a key question which students should be able to answer using the italicised indicative content below. Please note that on an exam, students will be asked only one question to do with each unit of study. This means on a Germany paper, it is not possible to be asked a question about the weakness of the Weimar Government, and another question about the Munich Putsch.
Germany in Transition
Unit 1: What challenges were faced by the Weimar Republic from 1919-1923?
-Impact of Versailles -weaknesses of Weimar government -political instability – Spartacist, Kapp, Munich Putsches -hyperinflation -events in the Ruhr 1923
Unit 2: Why were the Stresemann years considered a ‘golden age’?
-Recovery from hyperinflation -Dawes and Young Plans; Locarno Pact -League of Nations -US investment -social and political developments
Unit 3: How and why did the Weimar Republic collapse between 1929 and 1933?
-Social and political impact of the Depression on the Weimar Republic -Hitler’s electoral appeal -role of the SA; propaganda -political extremism and scheming 1929 -1932
Unit 4: How did the Nazis consolidate their power between 1933 and 1934?
-Hitler as Chancellor -Reichstag Fire -1933 election and Enabling Act -trade unions and political parties -Night of the Long Knives -Hitler becomes Fuhrer
Unit 5: How did Nazi economic, social and racial policy affect life in Germany?
-Reducing unemployment -policy towards workers -women and the Three Ks -controlling education -the Hitler Youth Movement -treatment of the Jews
Unit 7: What methods did the Nazis use to control Germany?
-Use of SS and Gestapo -control of legal system -Goebbels and propaganda -use of rallies, radio and cinema -censorship of newspapers and the arts
Unit 7: What factors led to the outbreak of war in 1939?
-Hitler’s foreign policy aims -rearmament and conscription -the Rhineland 1936 -Anschluss 1938 -Sudetenland 1938 -Nazi-Soviet pact 1939
The Elizabethan Age
Unit 1: How successful was the government of Elizabeth I?
-The coronation and popularity of Elizabeth -Royal Court, Privy Council and councillors -local government -the role of Parliament -taxation and freedom of speech
Unit 2: How did life differ for the rich and poor in Elizabethan times?
-Contrasting lifestyles of rich and poor -homes and fashion -causes of poverty -issue of unemployment and vagrancy -government legislation including the 1601 Poor Law
Unit 3: What were the most popular types of entertainment in Elizabethan times? -The importance of popular entertainment -cruel sports -entertainment enjoyed by the rich -the Elizabethan theatre; design, plays -attitudes towards the theatre
Unit 4: How successfully did Elizabeth deal with the problem of religion?
-Religious problems in 1559 -the ‘Middle Way’, Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity -reactions to the Settlement -aims of the Religious Settlement
Unit 5: Why were the Catholics such a serious threat to Elizabeth? -Early toleration -excommunication in 1570 -recusancy -rebellion of Northern Earls -Catholic Plots – Ridolfi, Throckmorton, Babington; role of Mary, Queen of Scots
Unit 6: How much of a threat was the Spanish Armada? -Reasons for the Armada -results of the Armada -war in the Netherlands; course of the Armada – events in the Channel, Calais, ‘fireships’ and return to Spain
Unit 7: Why did the Puritans become an increasing threat during Elizabeth’s reign? Puritanism; challenge to the Settlement -Puritan opposition in Parliament and Privy Council -measures taken to deal with the Puritan challenge
