Germany of the Nazi Period - Assignment Example

THE QUESTIONS Short Answer Questions (10 Each answer should be approximately 100-150 words What is the importance of primary sources to the study of German history? Primary references to date in the relaying of varied events in regards to Germany history and how they unfolded then are more convincing contrary to the secondary ones. Since historical accounts backed by them give no room for historians to make any ungrounded guesses regarding varied aspects, which in certain circumstances seem not to have tangible facts. Commonly utilized primary sources, which to date in the Germany history have been essential in research embrace diaries, letters, concentration camp lists as well as other documents. The latter denote documents by survivors or architects of the then period’s unforgettable events, for instance, Holocaust. In addition, they primary sources especially those of war or misfortunes bring forth the then utter reality to the present thus acting as undisputed evidences especially from scholars who may have differing perspectives. 2. What were some of the environmental concerns in Germany at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century in Germany? Environmental concerns are a fundamental basis in human life. In Germany in the late 19th period, global warming was a major concern brought about by dynamics in the human activities. The activities’ dynamism was linked to industrialization and increased trade. Increased use of petroleum as a raw material for plastics and also as a fuel led to increased air pollution, leading to climate change. The start of the 20th period was marked by more concerns as there were increased scientific and technological developments which increased use of chemicals and machines in human activities. The use of agro pesticides, herbicides and other harsh chemicals led to their accumulation in the environment. Population increase also led to deforestation paving way for environmental degradation. It is clear that major human activities led to environmental degradation between the two centuries in Germany. As a result movements came up in Germany to address the issue. 3. What mechanisms of the Weimar Constitution allowed Hitler to rise to power? The Weimar Constitution was the constitution that ruled Germany after WWI. A number of its mechanisms allowed Hitler to rise to power. The president was given powers to get rid of the chancellor even though the Reichstag had confidence in him/her. Adolf Hitler thus appointed those who did not object his rule. The Emergency Decree gave the president powers to take measures to bring back law and order in the event of a threat. Adolf Hitler used this to eliminate civil rights legally. Hitler acquired presidency powers by the Emergency Decree. Adolf Hitler pushed for the Enabling Act to consolidate his dictatorship. The Act stated that ‘Laws implemented by the government may differ from the constitution as long as they do not affect the institutions of the Reichstag and the president’s powers remain untouched’. It is clear that the Weimar Constitution favored Hitler’s rule. 4. What are some possible reasons why women supported the Nazi Party in elections in the 1930s in Germany? It is unlikely that women in Germany would support the Nazi Party in elections given that their doctrine was to eliminate women from the political life. The leader’s party, Hitler, socialized with the most powerful and influential women in the society. These women must have had a great impact in convincing fellow women to vote for the party. The party also believed in equal rights for both men and women in the sense that men should care for women and hence women should not work for a living. This therefore must have attracted them as they were lifted off major responsibilities. Furthermore, the Nazi party envisioned increased female employment in the non-agricultural sector. Even though after winning the elections the Nazi Party undermined women, these reasons they had promised during their campaigns are concrete enough to have attracted the women to vote for them. 5. What was the role of eugenics in the social policies of Nazi Germany? Eugenics program its essence encompassed eliminating the unhealthy from the society, which the politicians of the day through the implementation of this policy exhibited utter conviction were undertaking it to ensure the masses’ safety. The unhealthy were deemed to have “undesirable” genetic rudiments in their blood, which if left would give rise to other individuals having similar predicaments contrary to the then regime of the day’s wish. Since complications then prevented through Eugenics program were all hereditary maladies like euthanasia whereby the mode of elimination encompassed compulsory sterilization. Mainly, this was to improve society through manipulation of genetics such that the government will not bear any burden of putting up unhealthy population. 6. What was the Wannsee Protocol and why is it important? Held on in 1942 at Wannsee villa Berlin, its participants embraced included fifteen officials of Nazi Party as well as leaders form the then regime stipulated Protocol, which was drafted by Adolf Eichmann. The Wannsee Protocol was the Nazi’s code name for deliberate, carefully planned genocide of all European Jews in Europe which was encrypted by the vague term ‘Final Solution of the Jewish Question’. The participants believed this protocol would solve problems such as internal fights over mandates. The importance of the Wannsee protocol is that it was used by various war crime investigations agencies to find out what really transpired .Furthermore, it is used by historians and scholars to study past events related to it. It is quite disturbing that no one present in the meeting objected to the discussion which is so inhumane. 7. What is cumulative radicalization and how is it relevant to understanding Nazi Germany? This is a way in which certain individuals in a given state due to their link or closeness with regime of the day increasingly end up becoming extremists. Hence, embrace Fuhrer will which encompasses safeguarding as well as extending self interests of the few influential individuals including the top leader, which was similar to Nazi’s case in Germany then led by Hitler. However, cumulative radicalization is an indispensable perspective commonly utilized in studying and understanding the ruthlessness of Nazi Germany. Mainly, it depicts the extent of extremism then advocated by Hitler whose basis embraced racial grounds and eventually leading to war and genocide. This is because then Nazi groups ended up intensifying their segregation policies while in their quest to outdo each other. Consequently, this ensued to unforgettable historical accounts, which even to date historians have associated them with then leader whose core policies though thought to be “effective” ended up disintegrating the state completely. 8. What was the Marshall Plan? The WWII saw the European economy deteriorating. It was important to come up with a plan to rescue the economy. The Marshall Plan was one plan initiated by the United States of America to help rebuild the European economy. It was named after George Marshall who came up with the plan that began in April 1848. The most damaged sectors were the transport sector that left Europe economically paralyzed. The goals of the plan encompassed rebuilding war-affected regions, eliminate interstate barriers, adopt modern trade procedures, prevent communism and make Europe prosperous again. The Europeans used the plan’s aid to buy manufactured products and raw materials from Canada and the United States of America. Basic staple needs like food were the main imports at first but later on they imported reconstruction needs. The plan was a success as it saw the Economy of Europe rise once again. 9. What is the relevance of Krautrock to the study of German history after the 2nd World War? After WWII, West Germany was a nation in shock: alienated from its modern history, and drifting from Europe. However, from 1960s, West Germany became a major ground for upcoming musicians who developed the beautiful and strange musical sounds that eventually became Krautrock. This brings about the relevance of Krautrock in the study of German history. The young generation (born after WWII) was generally under the mentorship of individuals who had experienced the horrors of Nazi regime. Therefore as this generation came into maturity they decided to distance themselves from these harrowing past through establishing a unique and positive identity (the Krautrock) for West Germany. A focus on Krautrock completely changed the face of Germany. Generally, Krautrock when deeply researched provides information about the groups that formed it and the cultural and social history of West Germany that inspired, repelled, and challenged such groups. 10. What was one of the reasons for the development of a national police force in West Germany in the 1970s? During the 1970s, West Germany decided to form a national police force due to certain key factors. These factors resulted from certain political and economic factors that occurred in Germany during that period. In the 1970s, for instance, officials in most cities of West Germany formulated urban renewal projects. These projects would demolish most apartments thereby displacing thousands of German citizens from their residential neighborhoods. This resulted into protests from activists and the general public. Despite the protests, the public officials refused to alter their plans. Therefore, the protesters could not access the decision makers, they lacked an organized constituency, and support from major political parties. This intensified the protests nationwide leading to the decision to form a national police force that could help control the situation at the national level. Actually, the formation of the national police force was more politically driven than economically driven. Political mood called for this formation. Discuss the reasons for the fall of the Weimar Republic. After the collapse of Weimar Republic in 1933, Adolf Hitler took over and actually became regarded as the key cause of the collapse. However, the formation of Nazi State was not the main factor: several other factors caused this collapse. The leadership in Weimar Republic was originally monarchial but later became dictatorial. This is considered the main cause of collapse. However, the life of Weimar Republic was twisted with key developments in the 20th century which explains the problems and changes the State faced. Weimar was a State where willing citizens were expected to focus on the community’s long-term interests rather than short-term personal interests. However, very few citizens supported this idea, thereby leading to the collapse of the republic. Generally, Weimar Republic collapsed and Adolf Hitler subsequently took over leading to the notion that he engineered the fall. Actually, this is a shallow perspective to what actually cause the collapse. Read More