HISTORY (GERMANY GCSE AQA) QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS A+ GRADED
When was the unification of Germany and what did it follow?
1871 after victory against France in 1870
Who was the Chancellor in the 1870s and 80s?
Otto von Bismarck
Bismarck's attitude towards ethnic minorities?
He attempted to assimilate ethnic minority groups within the new empire, such as the
Poles
When did Kaiser Wilhelm II become Kaiser?
1888 at the age of 31
What had Kaiser Wilhelm II seen the European powers do?
Seize colonies in Africa (Scramble for Africa)
What did Germans think of the Kaiser's Weltpolitik?
Many Germans agreed with him
By 1914, which party gained power and why?
The left-wing Social Democrat Party because it appealed to Germany's growing number
of industrial workers
What did the middle class think of the government by 1914?
They were happy with the right-wing government because they were afraid of the
growing political strength of industrial workers
1880 to 1914 steel production comparison
1880- half the amount of steel as Britain
1914- twice the amount as Britain
By 1914, what was Germany producing 1/3 of?
The World's electrical goods
Population of Germany 1871 to 1914
40 million to 68 million
How were food imports affected by 1914?
Only 1/3 of the labour force worked in agriculture so food imports rose quickly reaching
about 1/5 of Germany's needs by 1914
Who accepted the authoritarian nature of German rule? (Pre-WW1)
Both right-wing and central political parties because of the developing wealth and power
the middle class gained
How did governments try to pacify socialist demands pre-WW1?
Social reforms such as the introduction of old age pensions in 1889 (20 years before
Britain) and sickness and accident insurance schemes which covered nearly 14 million
Germans by 1911
How many seats did the SPD gain in 1912?
Nearly 1/3
Importance of Prussia
, 2/3 of population
Over 1/2 of the territory
How did the military influence foreign policy under the Kaiser?
The influence of military chiefs often determined the policies, which were concerned
with expansion
Who argues that Germany needed large battleships?
Admiral von Tripitz who became State Secretary of the Navy in 1897
How many ships did the Navy have in 1896?
6
What was the First Navy Law?
Passed in 1898, the law allowed for the addition of 7 battleships (Germany already had
12). Didn't match British or French but marked turning point in German foreign policy
What was the Second Navy Law?
1900 (during the Boer War). Doubled the size of the fleet to 38 battleships
What was the main objective of the German Navy?
To compete against the British
What did the Germans respond to in 1906 and how?
The Royal Navy launch of the Dreadnought in May with a 3rd Navy Law, adding 6
cruiser-type ships to the building programme
How many Navy Laws were passed in total before WW1?
5
Number of German Dreadnoughts from 1907 to 1914
0-19
What developed in 1902?
The Anglo-German naval arms race
What was the effect of WW1 on Germany? (6 points)
1. Opposition to the Kaiser developed
2. Anarchy
3. 500 women protested against war in 1915 and in 1916 10000 workers turned against
the Kaiser
4. Produced less food (1/2 of milk and 3/5 of butter and meat)
5. Spanish influenza spread
6. Made Germans feel angry
25th October 1918
Sailors mutinied at Kiel
26th October- 5th November 1918
Strikes and demonstrations across Germany
6th November 1918
Soldiers and workers took control of cities like Munich and Hamburg
7th November 1918
Social Democrats led by Ebert demanded the abdication of the Kaiser
9th November 1918
General Strike in Berlin. Kaiser abdicates. Ebert takes over as Chancellor
Who were the Spartacists?
A group of radical socialists who wanted a revolution like the Russians.
Who led the Spartacists?
ANSWERS A+ GRADED
When was the unification of Germany and what did it follow?
1871 after victory against France in 1870
Who was the Chancellor in the 1870s and 80s?
Otto von Bismarck
Bismarck's attitude towards ethnic minorities?
He attempted to assimilate ethnic minority groups within the new empire, such as the
Poles
When did Kaiser Wilhelm II become Kaiser?
1888 at the age of 31
What had Kaiser Wilhelm II seen the European powers do?
Seize colonies in Africa (Scramble for Africa)
What did Germans think of the Kaiser's Weltpolitik?
Many Germans agreed with him
By 1914, which party gained power and why?
The left-wing Social Democrat Party because it appealed to Germany's growing number
of industrial workers
What did the middle class think of the government by 1914?
They were happy with the right-wing government because they were afraid of the
growing political strength of industrial workers
1880 to 1914 steel production comparison
1880- half the amount of steel as Britain
1914- twice the amount as Britain
By 1914, what was Germany producing 1/3 of?
The World's electrical goods
Population of Germany 1871 to 1914
40 million to 68 million
How were food imports affected by 1914?
Only 1/3 of the labour force worked in agriculture so food imports rose quickly reaching
about 1/5 of Germany's needs by 1914
Who accepted the authoritarian nature of German rule? (Pre-WW1)
Both right-wing and central political parties because of the developing wealth and power
the middle class gained
How did governments try to pacify socialist demands pre-WW1?
Social reforms such as the introduction of old age pensions in 1889 (20 years before
Britain) and sickness and accident insurance schemes which covered nearly 14 million
Germans by 1911
How many seats did the SPD gain in 1912?
Nearly 1/3
Importance of Prussia
, 2/3 of population
Over 1/2 of the territory
How did the military influence foreign policy under the Kaiser?
The influence of military chiefs often determined the policies, which were concerned
with expansion
Who argues that Germany needed large battleships?
Admiral von Tripitz who became State Secretary of the Navy in 1897
How many ships did the Navy have in 1896?
6
What was the First Navy Law?
Passed in 1898, the law allowed for the addition of 7 battleships (Germany already had
12). Didn't match British or French but marked turning point in German foreign policy
What was the Second Navy Law?
1900 (during the Boer War). Doubled the size of the fleet to 38 battleships
What was the main objective of the German Navy?
To compete against the British
What did the Germans respond to in 1906 and how?
The Royal Navy launch of the Dreadnought in May with a 3rd Navy Law, adding 6
cruiser-type ships to the building programme
How many Navy Laws were passed in total before WW1?
5
Number of German Dreadnoughts from 1907 to 1914
0-19
What developed in 1902?
The Anglo-German naval arms race
What was the effect of WW1 on Germany? (6 points)
1. Opposition to the Kaiser developed
2. Anarchy
3. 500 women protested against war in 1915 and in 1916 10000 workers turned against
the Kaiser
4. Produced less food (1/2 of milk and 3/5 of butter and meat)
5. Spanish influenza spread
6. Made Germans feel angry
25th October 1918
Sailors mutinied at Kiel
26th October- 5th November 1918
Strikes and demonstrations across Germany
6th November 1918
Soldiers and workers took control of cities like Munich and Hamburg
7th November 1918
Social Democrats led by Ebert demanded the abdication of the Kaiser
9th November 1918
General Strike in Berlin. Kaiser abdicates. Ebert takes over as Chancellor
Who were the Spartacists?
A group of radical socialists who wanted a revolution like the Russians.
Who led the Spartacists?
