Nazism and The Rise of Hitler class 9 ncert MCQ & SAQ

Nazism and The Rise of Hitler class 9 ncert solution:

 

Describe the problems faced by the Weimar Republic.

The problems faced by the Weimar Republic were present from its very inception. The Versailles Peace Treaty at the end of the First World War dispossessed Germany of its territories, its resources and its pride as a nation. In spite of the harsh terms, the Weimar Republic accepted the humiliating treaty, thereby making it unpopular amongst the German masses.

The German state was financially crippled due to overwhelming war debts which had to be paid in gold. The French occupied Germany’s chief industrial area—the Ruhr—to exact debts when the Weimar government refused to pay. The uninhibited printing of paper money caused the value of the German mark to fall considerably, thereby causing hyperinflation. When the Great Economic Depression occurred, the German economy was the worst hit because the USA—which had been balling it out of debts—discontinued its monetary support.

Democracy was a new idea in Europe, and the Weimar Republic came about to be one with huge problems during its infancy. The Weimar Republic was weak due to inherent constitutional irregularities such as proportional representation and Article 48 (which gave the President the power to impose emergency and rule by decree). The democratic parliamentary system seemed to give the people no solutions or benefits in the times of the severe economic crisis. Thus, beset with political and economic problems, the German people lost confidence in the Weimar Republic.

 

Discuss why Nazism became popular in Germany by 1930.

Nazism became popular in Germany by 1930 on account of various reasons. The most apparent being the Great Depression. The Weimar Republic did little to remedy the country’s economic downfall, and Hitler was presented as a savior to the humiliated German people living in economic and political crises. Nazi propaganda stirred hopes in times when banks were shut down, unemployment reigned and destitution was a common sight. At such a time, Hitler promised jobs, restoration of national dignity and a better future. Consequently, by 1932, the Nazi Party became the largest party with 37% votes in the Reichstag.

 

What are the peculiar features of Nazi thinking?

The peculiar features of Nazi thinking are a belief in racial hierarchy and Lebensraum or living space. Hitler and his followers believed that Nordic German Aryans were at the top, while the jews formed the lowest rung of the racial ladder. They believed that only the strongest race would survive and rule, and for them, this race was that of the Aryans.

Regarding living space, the Nazis were of the idea that new lands must be gained for settlement, and for enhancing the material resources and power of Germany. Nazi views were largely a mouthpiece of Hitler’s own ideology.

 

Explain why Nazi propaganda was effective in creating a hatred for jews.

Nazi propaganda was effective in creating hatred for the jews because of two main reasons. Firstly, the Jews were stereotyped as killers of Christ. They had been barred since medieval times from ownership of land. Secondly, they were hated as usurers or money-lenders. Violence against jews, even inside their residential ghettos, was common. Hitler’s pseudoscientific race theories made this hatred complete. His “solution” was the total elimination of all jews.

 

Explain what role women had in Nazi society. Return to Chapter 1 on the French Revolution. Write a paragraph comparing and contrasting the role of women in the two periods.

Role of women in Nazi society followed the rules of a largely patriarchal or male-dominated society. Hitler hailed women as “the most important citizen” in his Germany, but this was true for only Aryan women who bred pure-blood, “desirable” Aryans. Motherhood was the only goal they were taught to reach for, apart from performing the stereotypical functions of managing the household and being good wives. This was in stark contrast to the role of women in the French Revolution where women led movements and fought for rights to education and equal wages. They were allowed to form political clubs, and schooling was made compulsory for them after the French Revolution.

 

In what ways did the Nazi state seek to establish total control over its people?

The Nazi state sought to establish total control over its people by dubious methods of propaganda. Mass killings were termed special treatment, final solution; evacuation to disinfection areas was in reality deportation of jews to the gas chambers. The regime used language and media with careful double-meaning expertise, employing the latter for national support and international popularity. Nazi ideology was spread using images, films, radio, posters, and slogans and pamphlets. Enemies of the state were typically presented as weak and degenerate (socialists and liberals), rodents and pests (the Jews). Also, by presenting themselves as liberators and problem-solvers, the Nazis sought to win public support.

Nazism and The Rise of Hitler class 9 ncert MCQ 

Question. Where is the Wall Street Exchange?

(a) America

(b) Britain

(c) France

(d) Germany

Answer :   A

Question. Which of the following was a special surveillance and security force created by Hitler?

(a) Regular police force in green uniform and stormtroopers

(b) Gestapo (secret state police), the SS (the protection squads)

(c) Criminal police (SD), the security service

(d) Both (b) and (c)

Answer :   D

Question. What did the term ‘Evacuation’ mean?

(a) Living in separately marked areas called ghettos

(b) Deporting people to gas chambers

(c) Arrested without any legal procedures

(d) Detained without due process of law

Answer :   B

Question. A camp where people were isolated and detained without due process of law, referred to as………?

(a) Barracks

(b) Home camp

(c) Concentration camp

(d) Toture camp 

Answer :   C

Question. Hitler became the Chancellor or Germany in the year

(a) 1931

(b) 1932

(c) 1933

(d) 1934

Answer :   A

Question. The Treaty of Versailles (1920) signed at the end of World War I, was harsh and humiliating for Germany, because

(a) Germany lost its overseas colonies, and 13 percent of its territories

(b) It lost 75% of its iron and 26% of its coal to France, Poland, Denmark and Lithuania, was forced to pay compensation of 6 billion pounds

(c) The western powers demilitarized Germany and they occupied resource-rich Rhineland in the 1920s

(d) All the above

Answer :   D

Question. What was the response of the Germans to the new Weimar Republic?

(a) They held the new Weimar Republic responsible for Germany’s defeat and the disgrace at Versailles

(b) The republic carried the burden of war guilt and national humiliation

(c) It became the target of attacks in the conservative national circles

(d) All the above

Answer :   D

Question. What was the destination of all ‘undesirables’ of the German Empire called?

(a) Land of ‘undesirables’

(b) Cursed land

(c) General government

(d) Land for the abnormals

Answer :   C

Question. Why did the Nuremburg Tribunal sentence only 11 Nazis to death for such a massive genocide?

(a) Only these 11 Nazis were found guilty

(b) The Allies did not want to be harsh on the defeated Germany as they had been after WorldWar

(c) Germany promised never to repeat such an act

(d) Germany was ready to pay a huge compensation to the Allied countries for these killings

Answer :   B

Question. The National Assembly met at Weimer and decided to establish

(a) a democratic constitution with a federal structure

(b) a communist form of government

(c) a powerful monarchy

(d) a military state

Answer :   A

Question. When did Hitler become the Chancellor of Germany?

(a) January 30, 1923

(b) January 30, 1929

(c) January 30, 1933

(d) March 3, 1933

Answer :   C

Question. The Nuremberg laws of citizenship of 1935 stated that :

(a) Only persons of German or related blood would henceforth be German citizens

(b) Marriages between Jews and Germans were forbidden

(c) Jews were forbidden to fly the national flag

(d) All the above

Answer :   D

Question. Hitler took over the German Workers Party and renamed it as….?

(a) Secular German Workers

(b) Socialist Workers of Germany

(c) National Socialist Party

(d) National Workers of Germany

Answer :   C

Question. Why was the Weimar Republic called ‘November Criminals’?

(a) Because they signed armistice agreement and conceded Germany to Allies

(b) Because they crushed Spartacists with the help of free Corps

(c) Because they misused Article 48

(d) They secured loans from USA

Answer :   A

Question. In what ways did the First World War leave a deep impact on European society and polity?

(a) Soldiers were put above civilians

(b) Politicians laid stress on men to strong and masculine

(c) Aggressive war propaganda was given support

(d) All

Answer :   D

Question. Who wrote ‘Mein Kampf’?

(a) Herbert Spencer

(b) Charles Darwin

(c) Adolf Hitler

(d) Goebbels

Answer :   C

Question . Which was a feature of Hitler’s foreign policy?

(a) He pulled out of the league of nations in 1933

(b) He decided not attack any country

(c) He thanked the Allied powers

(d) All

Answer :   A

Question. The Nazi party had become the largest party by:

(a) 1930

(b) 1931

(c) 1932

(d) 1933

Answer :   C

Question . The Nazi Party became the largest party by?

(a) 1930

(b) 1931

(c) 1932

(d) 1933

Answer :   C

Question. According to the Nazis, which people were to be regarded as desirable?

(a) Pure and healthy Nordic Aryans

(b) German soldiers who helped in territorial expansion

(c) German police of different types

(d) All those who were willing to consider Hitler as God

Answer :   A

Question . Why did Helmuth’s father kill himself?

(a) He was depressed by Germany’s defeat

(b) He feared that common people will mishandle him

(c) He feared revenge by the allied powers

(d) He wanted to commit suicide

Answer :   C

Question. Which of the following statements is true about the economic crisis in Germany in 1923?

(a) The value of ‘Mark’ (German currency) collapsed

(b) Prices of goods soared high

(c) Weimar Republic brought economic prosperity

(d) Both (a) and (b)

Answer :   D

Question. Which of the following statements is false about soldiers in World War I?

(a) The soldiers, in reality, led miserable lives in trenches, survived with feeding on the copras

(b) They faced poisonous gas and enemy shelling and loss of comrades

(c) All soldiers were ready to die for their country’s honor and personal glory

(d) Aggressive propaganda glorified war

Answer :   C

Question. Which of the following bodies was set up to try and prosecute the Nazi war criminals at the end of World War II?

(a) International Military Tribunal

(b) British Military Tribunal

(c) Allied Military Tribunal

(d) Allied Judicial Court

Answer :   A

Question. When did Germany withdraw herself from the League of Nations?

(a) 1930

(b) 1931

(c) 1932

(d) 1933

Answer :   D

Question. Who were called the ‘November criminals’?

(a) The Opponents of Weimar Republic

(b) The Emperor who abdicated, and his men

(c) The supporters of Weimar Republic

(d) None of the above

Answer :   C

Question. Hilter pull his country out of the League of Nations in:

(a) 1933

(b) 1940

(c) 1943

(d) 1923

Answer :   A

Question. Who was given the responsibility of economic recovery ?

(a) Lenin

(b) Hitler

(c) Stalin

(d) Hjalmer School

Answer :    B

Question.The term ‘Proletarianisation’ refers to :

(a) Impoverished to the level of the middle class.

(b) Impoverished to the level of the upper/ruling class.

(c) Impoverished to the level of the working class.

(d) Exploitation of the new emerging middle class.

Answer :   C

Question. What was the process of Nazi schooling for ‘Good German children’?

(a) Racial science was introduced to justify Nazi ideas of race

(b) School textbooks were rewritten

(c) Even the function of sports was to nurture a spirit of violence and aggression among children

(d) All the above

Answer :   D

Question. When and among which countries was the Tripartite Pact signed?

(a) 1940, Germany, Italy and Japan

(b) 1939, Germany, Austria and USSR

(c) 1940, England, France and USA

(d) 1938, England, Germany and USSR

Answer :   A

Question. Which of these were the reasons of Nazi hatred of the Jews?

(a) Jews had been stereotyped as killers of Christ

(b) They were ‘usurers’, i.e. moneylenders

(c) The Jews had always cheated the Nazis

(d) Both (a) and (b)

Answer :   D

Question. What was ‘Jungvolk’ in Nazi Germany?

(a) Magazine

(b) Holocaust camp

(c) Youth organization

(d) Schools

Answer :   C

Question.How were Allies power strengthened ?

(a) By defeating Germany

(b) By defeating Japan

(c) By defeating Italy

(d) With the entering of US in World War

Answer :   B

Question. What was the name given to gas chambers by Nazis?

(a) Killing Machine

(b) Solution Areas

(c) Revolutionary Ground

(d) Disinfection Areas

Answer :   D

Question. Which article of the Weimar Constitution gave the President the powers to impose emergency, suspend civil rights and rule by decree in Germany?

(a) 46

(b) 47

(c) 48

(d) None of these

Answer :   C

Question.What is the name of the Republic that was established in Germany after World War I ?

(a) Republic of German Federation

(b) Republic of German Confederation

(c) German Republic State

(d) The Weimar Republic

Answer :   D

Question. In what ways did the First World War leave a deep imprint on European society and polity?

(a) Soldiers were put above civilians, trench-life was glorified

(b) Politicians and publicists laid stress on men to be aggressive and masculine

(c) Aggressive war propaganda and national honor were given the most support and Conservative dictatorships were welcomed

(d) All the above

Answer :   D

Question. Why did Helmut’s father kill himself in the spring of 1945?

(a) He was depressed by Germany’s defeat in Second World War

(b) He feared that common people would mishandle him and his family

(c) He feared revenge by the Allied Powers

(d) He wanted to die because of the crimes he had committed during Nazi rule

Answer :   C

Question. Against which of these countries had Germany fought during World War I (1914-1918)?

(a) England

(b) France

(c) Russia

(d) All the above

Answer :   D

Question.What gave Nazi state its reputation as the most dreaded criminal state?

(a) Extra-constitutional powers were given to the newly organized forces like Gestapo, the SS and SD

(b) People could be detained in Gestapo torture chambers and sent to concentration camps

(c) No legal procedures were there for the arrested people

(d) All the above

Answer :   D

Question. Which incident led to the start of World War II?

(a) German invasion of Switzerland

(b) German invasion of Poland

(c) Russian invasion of Germany

(d) Japan’s sinking of ship at Pearl Harbor

Answer :   B

Question. What was Hitler’s ideology of ‘lebensraum’ or living space?

(a) Multi-storeyed buildings should be built in Germany to increase the living space

(b) The world must be occupied enabling the material resources and power of the German nation.

(c) New territories had to be acquired for settlement

(d) Both (b) and (c)

Answer :   D

Nazism and The Rise of Hitler class 9 ncert SAQ

Q.1. Describe what happened to Germany after its defeat in the First World War.

Ans.1- World War I, ended with the Allies defeating Germany and the Central powers inNovember 1918.

2-The Peace Treaty at Versailles with the Allies was a harsh and humiliating treaty. Germany lost its overseas colonies, a tenth of its population, 13 percent of its territories, 75 per cent of its iron and 26 per cent of its coal to France, Poland, Denmark and Lithuania.

 3-The Allied Powers demilitarized Germany to weaken its power. Germany was forced to pay compensation amounting to 6 billion.

 

Q.2.Give reasons for Hitler’s rise to power.

Ans (i) The economic crisis: Germany had to face a great economic crisis after the First WorldWar. Many soldiers were no longer in service, so they became unemployed. Trade and commerce was ruined. Germany was in the grip of unemployment and starvation.

(ii) Exploiting the mentality of the Germans: The Germans had no faith in democracy. It was against their culture and tradition. They at once gave their support to a strong man like Hitler who could transfer their dreams into reality.

(iii) Making the best use of his personal qualities: Hitler was a powerful orator, an able Organizer.

 

Q.3. Explain the following terms:

 (a) A Racial State (b) Propaganda (c) Jungvolk

Ans (a) Racial State: Once in power, the Nazis quickly began to implement their dream of creating an exclusive racial community of pure Germans by physically eliminating all those who were seen as ‘undesirable’ in the extended empire.Nazis only wanted a society of ‘pure and healthy Nordic Aryans’. They alone were considered ‘desirable’.

(b) Propaganda: The Nazi regime used language and media with care and often to great effect. They used films, pictures, radio, posters, etc. to spread hatred for the Jews.

Propaganda is a specific type of message directly aimed at influencing the opinion of people through the use of posters, films, speeches etc.

(c) Jungvolk: These were Nazi youth groups for children below 14 years of age. Youth organizations were made responsible for educating German youth in ‘the spirit of National Socialism’. Ten-year-olds had to enter Jungvolk. At 14, all boys had to join the Nazi youth organisation.

 

Q.4. Explain the role of women in Hitler’s Germany.

Ans.  1. According to Hitler’s ideology, women were radically different from men.

2. The democratic idea of equal rights for men and women was wrong and would destroy society.

3. While boys were taught to be aggressive, masculine and steel-hearted, girls were told that they had to become good mothers and rear pure blooded Aryan children.

 

Q.5. Explain the main views of Hitler as expressed in his book 'Mein Kampf'.

Ans. Adolf Hitler wrote a book entitled ‘Mein Kampf’. Its literal meaning is ‘My Struggle’. This book expresses some of the most monstrous ideas of the Nazi movement.

1.   He glorified the use of force and brutalities and the rule by a great leader and ridiculed internationalism, peace and democracy.

2.       These principles were accepted by all followers of Hitler.

3.       Throughout Germany an atmosphere of terror was created. Hitler glorified violent nationalism and extolled war.

4.       He wrote this book at the age of 35, it is an autobiographical book; in this book Hitler has poured out his hatred for democracy,

5.       He also revealed his bitterness over German surrender in World War I.

 

Q.6. Why is Nazism considered a calamity not only for Germany but for the entire Europe?

Ans. Nazi ideology specified that there was racial hierarchy and no equality between people.

1.       The blond, blue-eyed Nordic German Aryans were at the top, while the Jews were located somewhere on the lowest rung of the ladder.

2.       The number of people killed by Nazi Germany was 6 million Jews, 200,000 Gypsies, 1 million Polish civilians, 70,000 Germans.

3.       Nazism glorified the use of force and brutality. It ridiculed internationalism, peace and democracy.

4.       Nazi Germany became the most dreaded criminal state. Hitler chose war as the way out of approaching the economic crisis.

5.       Germany invaded Poland. This started a war with France and England in September 1940.

 

Q.7.What happened in schools under Nazism?

Ans. 1. All schools were cleansed and purified.

2. This meant that teachers who were Jews or seen as politically unreliable were dismissed.

 3. Children were segregated — Germans and Jews could not sit together or play together.

4. Later on the undesirable children — the Jews, the physically handicapped, gypsies — were thrown out of schools

 

Q.8. ‘In my state the mother is the most important citizen.’ Discuss this statement made by Hitler.

Ans. 1. Though Hitler said that in my state the mother is the most important citizen, it was not true.

2.  All mothers were not treated equally. Women who bore racially desirable children were awarded, while those who bore racially undesirable children were punished.

3. Women who bore ‘desirable’ children were entitled to privileges and rewards. They were given special treatment in hospitals and concessions in shops and on theater tickets and railway fares.

 

Trace any three main features of the foreign policy of Hitler.

• On 30th January 1933, Hitler became the Chancellor of Germany and established dictatorship.

• Right from the beginning, he followed a policy of aggression and war towards other countries.

• He pulled out of the League of Nations in 1933, reoccupied Rhineland in 1936 and integrated Austria and Germany in 1938 under the slogan ‘One people, One empire, One leader’.

 

The Peace Treaty at Versailles with the Allies was a harsh and humiliating peace. Explain the statement with any three examples.

• In the First World War, Germany was defeated. The peace Treaty at Versailles with the Allies was a harsh and humiliating peace.

• Germany lost its overseas colonies and also much of its territories in Europe.

• Germany lost 75% of its iron and 26% of its coal to France and other countries.

• The Allied Powers demilitarized Germany to weaken its power. Germany was forced to pay compensation amounting to £ 6 billion.

• The Allied forces occupied the resource- rich Rhineland till the 1920s. (Any three)

 

Explain the three fold plan of Hitler becoming Chancellor of Germany to consolidate the Nazi power.

• Hitler’s three fold plan consisted of capturing the legal authority to rule, crushing the country’s political opposition and eliminating rivals within the party.
  In the pursuit of first, he used the Reichstag fire incident to clamp down the communists. He armed himself with the emergency powers and murdered and jailed key communist leaders and suppressed civil liberties.

• In March 1933, the German Reichstag passed the enabling laws which transferred all the powers from the Reichstag to the government headed by him.

• Further, Hitler turned his attention to the rival political parties. He outlawed all existing and potential opposition institutions. By July 1933, the Nazis were the only legitimate party in Germany.

 

When did Hitler formally announce his violation of the Treaty of Versailles ?

What reason did he give for this ?

• Hitler formally announced his violation of the Treaty of Versailles in March 1935.

• Hitler claimed that he was trying to make Germany equal in position to the other European powers.

• Since European nations had not followed the policy of disarmament, German rearmament was a necessity.

What was the ideology of the Nazis regarding the Jews ?

The ideology of the Nazis regarding the Jews were :

• All schools were cleansed and purified under Nazism. Those teachers were dismissed who were found to be Jews or seen as politically unreliable.

• German and Jew children were not allowed to sit or play together.

• All the undesirable children—Jews, Gypsies, and the physically handicapped were dismissed from schools and.Finally were taken to gas chambers in the 1940s.

 

What do you know about ‘Nazi schooling’ ?

All ‘Good German’ children were subjected to a prolonged period of ideological training—a process of Nazi schooling. School textbooks were rewritten. Racial science was introduced to justify Nazi ideas of race. Children were taught to be loyal and submissive, hate Jews, and worship Hitler. Even sports were used to nurture a spirit of violence and aggression among children. Hitler believed boxing made children iron-hearted, strong and masculine.

 

What was the Nazis ideology regarding motherhood ?

In Nazi Germany, children were repeatedly told that women were radically different from men. It was preached that the fight for equal rights for men and women was wrong and it would destroy society. The boys were taught to be aggressive, masculine and steel-hearted. The girls were taught to become good mothers. They were supposed to rear pure-blooded Aryan children and maintain the purity of the race. They had to distance themselves from Jews, look after the home, and over and above teach their children the Nazi values.

 

What were the results of the victory of Nazism in Germany ?

• The victory of Nazism in Germany led to the destruction of democracy and establishment of dictatorship.

• It also led to militarism and preparation for the war.

• In Germany, all other political parties were banned except the Nazi Party.

• Nazism opposed Socialism and Communism, so the advocates of these philosophies were either jailed or killed.

 

Why did the USA show unwillingness to get involved in the Second World War initially ? Why did it change its attitude afterwards ?

The USA had resisted involvement in the war. It was unwilling to once again face all the economic problems that the First World War had caused. But it could not stay out of the war for long. Japan was expanding its power in the east. It had occupied French Indo-China and was planning attacks on US naval bases in the Pacific.

When Japan extended its support to Hitler and bombed the US base at Pearl Harbor, the US entered the Second World War. The war ended in May 1945 with Hitler’s defeat and the US dropping of the atom bomb on Hiroshima in Japan.

 

Why was the International Military Tribunal set up in Nuremberg at the end of the Second World War ?

 

At the end of the Second World War the International Military Tribunal was set up in Nuremberg to prosecute Nazi War Criminals. The Tribunal prosecuted the Nazi’s for crimes against Peace, for War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity. However, the Nuremberg Tribunal sentenced only eleven leading Nazis to death. Many others were imprisoned for life.

 

What is hyperinflation ? What were the factors that led to hyperinflation in Germany ?

Hyperinflation is a situation when prices rise phenomenally high. This situation occurred in Germany in 1932 due to following reasons :

• Germany had fought the war largely on loans and had to pay war reparations in gold. This depleted gold reserves at a time resources were scarce.

• In 1923 Germany refused to pay, and the French occupied its leading industrial area, Ruhr, to claim their coal. Germany retaliated with passive resistance and printed paper currency recklessly. With too much printed money in circulation, the value of the German mark fell.

 

Explain the factors which led to the rise of Hitler in Germany.

The factors which led to the rise of Hitler in Germany were :

• Germany was compelled to sign the treaty by which she had to pay a huge war indemnity. This treaty created the feeling of dissatisfaction among the people of Germany. The Weimar Republic was regarded as a symbol of national disgrace. Hitler assured the Germans about the restoration of the old prestige, so they became his followers.

• Germany had to face a Great Economic crisis after the First World War. Many soldiers were no more in service, so they became unemployed. Trade and commerce were ruined. In 1929, there was, however, a great slump in Europe. Germany was in the grip of unemployment and starvation. The prices rose and the value of money fell.

• The Germans had no faith in democracy. It was against their culture and tradition. They, at once, gave support to a strong man of action like Hitler who could turn their dreams into reality.

 

What was the provision of the famous Enabling Act ?

On 3 March 1933, the famous Enabling Act was passed. The provisions of the Enabling Act were given below :

• This Act established dictatorship in Germany. It gave Hitler all powers to sideline Parliament and rule by decree.

• All political parties and trade unions were banned except for the Nazi Party and its affiliates. The state established complete control over the economy, media, army and judiciary.

• Special surveillance and security forces were created to control and order society in ways that the Nazis wanted.

 

What promises did Hitler make to the German people ? How did he mobilize them ?

Hitler was a powerful speaker. His passion and his words moved people. He promised to build a strong nation, undo the injustice of the Versailles Treaty and restore the dignity of the German people.

He promised employment for those looking for work, and a secure future for the youth. He promised to weed out all foreign influences and resist all foreign ‘conspiracies’ against Germany.

Hitler devised a new style of politics. He understood the significance of rituals and spectacle in mass mobilization. Nazis held massive rallies and public meetings to demonstrate the support for Hitler and instil a sense of unity among the people. The Red banners with the Swastika, the Nazi salute, and the ritualised rounds of applause after the speeches were all part of this spectacle of power.

 

From whom did Hitler borrow his racist ideology ? Explain.

(a) Hitler borrowed his racist ideology from thinkers like Charles Darwin and Herbert Spencer.

(b) Darwin was a natural scientist who tried to explain the creation of plants and • animals through the concept of evolution and natural selection. Darwin never

advocated human intervention in what he thought was a purely natural process of selection.

(c) Herbert Spencer later added the idea of survival of the fittest. According to this idea, only those species survived on earth that could adapt themselves to changing climatic conditions.

However, his ideas were used by racist thinkers and politicians to justify imperial rule over conquered peoples.

 

Describe the effect of the Great Economic depression on Germany ?

The effect of Great Economic depression on Germany were :

• The German economy was the worst hit by the Great Economic depression. By 1932, industrial production was reduced to 40% of the 1929 level. Workers lost their jobs or were paid reduced wages.

• The number of unemployed touched an unprecedented 6 million. Men could be seen on streets with placards saying,’ Willing to do any work’. As jobs disappeared, youth took to criminal activities, and total despair became commonplace.

• There were deep anxieties and fears in people. The middle classes, especially salaried employees and pensioners, saw their savings diminish when the currency lost its value.

• The large mass of peasantry was badly affected by a sharp fall in agricultural prices.

 

‘In my state the mother is the most important citizen.’ Discuss this statement made by Hitler.

(a) Though Hitler said that in my state the mother is the most important citizen, it was not true.

(b) All mothers were not treated equally. Women who bore racially desirable children were awarded, while those who bore racially undesirable children were punished.

(c) Women who bore ‘desirable’ children were entitled to privileges and rewards. They were given special treatment in hospitals and concessions in shops and on theater tickets and railway fares.

Nazism and The Rise of Hitler class 9 ncert long question

Q.1. Give reasons why the Weimar Republic failed to solve the problems of Germany.

Ans. 1. The birth of the Weimar Republic coincided with the uprising of the Spartacus League on the pattern of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia.

 2. The Democrats, Socialists and Catholics opposed it. They met in Weimar to give shape to a democratic republic.

3. The republic was not received well by its own people largely because of the terms it was forced to accept after Germany’s defeat at the end of the First World War.

4. Many Germans held the new Weimar Republic responsible for not only the defeat in the war but the disgrace at Versailles. This republic was finally crippled by being forced to pay compensation. Soon after the economic crisis hit Germany in 1923, the value of the German mark fell considerably.

5. The Weimar Republic had to face hyperinflation. Then came the Wall Street exchange crash in 1929.

 

Q.2. Why was Nazism considered to be a negation of both democracy and socialism?

Ans. 1. After assuming power on 30th January 1933, Hitler set out to dismantle the structure of democratic rule.

2. The Fire decree of 28th February 1933 indefinitely suspended civic rights like freedom of speech, press and assembly that had been guaranteed by the Weimar constitution.

3. The repression of the Jews and Communists was severe. On 3rd March 1933, the famousEnabling Act was passed. This Act established dictatorship in Germany.

1.       This Act gave Adolf Hitler all political and administrative power to side line the German parliament.

2.       All political parties of Germany and trade unions were banned except for the Nazi party and its affiliates. The state established complete control over the economy, media, army and judiciary.

3.       Special surveillance and security forces besides the existing regular police force, the Gestapo, the SD plus the extra-constitutional powers of these newly constructed forces gave the Nazi state its reputation of being the most dreaded criminal state.

 

Q.3. Describe Hitler’s rise to power with reference to his

(a) Policy towards the youth (b) His personal qualities (c) Development of the art of propaganda

Ans. (a) Policy towards youth: Hitler was fanatically interested in the youth of the country. He felt that a strong Nazi society could be established only by teaching children the Nazi ideology. This required a control over the child, both inside and outside school.Good German children were subjected to a process of Nazi schooling, a prolonged period of ideological training. Youth organizations were made responsible for educating the German youth in ‘the spirit of National Socialism’. Ten-year-olds had to enter Jungvolk. At 14, all boys had to join the Nazi youth organisation

(b)His personal qualities: Hitler was a tireless worker and an able organizer. He had a charming personality. He was an effective orator. Bitterly anti-Communist, he promised to save the country from the onslaught of communism. He won over the nationalists by promising to vindicate national honor by repudiating the Treaty of Versailles

(c)Development of the art of propaganda:

The Nazi regime used language and media with care, and often to great effect. The terms they coined to describe their various practices were not only deceptive, they were chilling. Nazis never used words ‘‘kill’’ or ‘‘murder’’ in their official communications.

 

Q.4. Describe in detail Hitler’s treatment of the Jews Explain Nazi ideologies regarding the Jews.

 Ans. 1. Once in power, the Nazis quickly began to implement their dream of creating an exclusive racial community of pure Germans by physically eliminating all those who were seen as‘‘undesirable’’ in the extended empire were mentally or physically unfit Germans, Gypsies, blacks, Russians, Poles.

2. But Jews remained the worst sufferers in Nazi Germany. They were stereotyped as ‘killers ofChrist and usurers'. Until medieval times, Jews were barred from owning land.

3. They survived mainly through trade and moneylending. They lived in separately marked areas called ‘ghettos’.

4. They were often persecuted through periodic organized violence and expulsion from land.

5.  All this had a precursor in the traditional Christian hostility towards Jews for being the killers of Christ.However, Hitler’s hatred of the Jews was based on pseudo-scientific theories of race, which held that conversion was no solution to ‘the Jewish problem’. It could be solved only through their total elimination.

 

Q.5.What were the effects of peace treaty on Germany after the First World War

Ans. 1. The defeat of Germany in World War I made Hitler angry. It horrified him. The Treaty of Versailles made him furious.

3. He joined the German Workers Party and renamed it National Socialist German Workers Party. This later came to be known as the Nazi Party.

4. Hitler promised to build a strong nation, undo the injustice of the Versailles Treaty and restore the dignity of the German people. After the First World War, Germany was compelled to sign this treaty under the threat of war.

5. In September 1939, Germany invaded Poland. In1940, a Tripartite Pact was signed between Germany, Italy and Japan, strengthening Hitler’s claim to international power. Puppet regimes, supportive of Nazi Germany, were installed in a large part of Europe. Hitler then attacked the Soviet Union.

.1. Describe the main provisions of the Treaty of Versailles.

Ans. The Treaty of Versailles was harsh and humiliating peace for the Germans.

(i) Germany lost all its overseas colonies, a tenth of its population.

(ii) 13 percent of its territories, 75 per cent of its iron and 26 per cent of its coal to France.

(iii) Germany was demilitarized to weaken its power.

(iv)The war guilt clause held Germany responsible for war and damages the Allied countries suffered. It was forced to pay a compensation amounting to £6 billion.

(v) The Allied forces occupied the resource-rich Rhineland till the 1920s.

.2. How did the ordinary Germans react to Nazism

Ans.1- Many saw the world through Nazi eyes and spoke their mind in Nazi language.

2-They felt hatred and anger even when someone they thought looked like a Jew.

3-They reported against Suspected Jews and marked their houses.

4-They believed Nazism would make them prosperous and happy. The large numbers of Germans were passive onlookers, too scared to act, to differ or protest.

Q.3. From whom did Hitler borrow his racist ideology? Explain.

Ans. 1-Hitler borrowed his racist ideology from thinkers like Charles Darwin and Herbert Spencer.

2-Darwin was a natural scientist who tried to explain the creation of plants and animals through the concept of evolution and natural selection.

3-Herbert Spencer later on added the idea of survival of the fittest. According to this idea, only those species survived on earth that could adapt themselves to changing climatic conditions.

4-Darwin never advocated human intervention in what he thought was a purely natural process of selection.

5- However, his ideas were used by racist thinkers and politicians to justify imperial rule over conquered peoples.

 

Trace the events that led to the birth of the Weimar Republic.

In the 20th century Germany was a powerful Empire. During the First World War Germany took up the cause of Austria against the Allies. Many countries joined the war hoping to gain something, without realizing the fact that the war would prolong and drain Europe of its resources. Though Germany made initial gains by occupying France and Belgium, the Allies became stronger when the US joined them in 1917 and defeated Germany and the Central Powers.

The defeat of Germany resulted in the abdication of the German Emperor. This gave an opportunity for the parliamentary parties to bring in a change in German politics. A democratic constitution with a federal structure was formed by the National Assembly, which met at Weimar and the Weimar Republic came into existence.

 

What was the outcome of the Versailles treaty?

 

Versailles with the Allies. The Versailles treaty was harsh and humiliating, for the Germans. Germany lost its

* Overseas colonies

* One tenth of its population

* 13% of its territories

* 75% of its iron and

* 26% of its coal goes to France, Poland, Denmark and Lithuania.

The Allied powers demilitarized Germany to weaken its power.

The War Guilt Clause held Germany responsible for the war and damages the Allied countries suffered.

Germany was forced to pay a compensation of £ 6 billion.

The Allied armies occupied the resource- rich Rhineland.At the end of the First World War, in which Germany lost, a peace treaty was signed at 

 

What was the impact of the war on European Society and politics?

The impact of the war on the European Society was devastating. It affected the economic, social and political fiber of Europe.

• The soldiers were placed above the civilians.

• Politicians and publicists emphasized on the need for men to be aggressive, strong and masculine.

• Trench life was glorified by the media though in actual practice the soldiers led a miserable life in the trench with rats feeding on the corpses and faced poisonous gas.

• Though war and national honor was brought to the forefront, people were in support of the conservative dictatorship.

• Due to the instabilities of war, European democracy could not survive, as it was a new idea.

 

Write a short note on the Spartacist League.

Germany had to pay war reparation after its defeat in the First World War. But Germany refused to pay the reparation and France occupied Ruhr to claim Germany’s coal. In retaliation Germany printed paper currency recklessly. As a result, the value of the German mark collapsed and prices of goods soared.

In December 1923, 1 US dollar was equal to 98,860,000 marks. People had to carry a cart load of currency to buy a loaf of bread. This crisis is known as hyperinflation.

What brought about the Great Economic Depression?

There was some financial stability between 1924 and 1928. Short term loans from the USA helped industrial recovery in Germany. In 1929, when the Wall Street Exchange crashed, the US withdrew all the loans. People rushed in to sell their shares as they thought that the prices would go down drastically. It was said that on the 24th October alone about 13 million shares were sold. This brought about the Great Economic Depression.

The national income of the US fell by nearly 50% between 1929 and 1932. The factories were shut down, exports fell, farmers were affected badly and the speculators withdrew their money from the market. All these affected not only the US but the entire world.

 

How did the Great Economic Depression affect Germany?

As in the USA and the rest of the world, the Great Economic Depression had adverse effects on Germany and its people. The industrial production came down to less than 40% compared to 1929.

Workers either lost their jobs or were paid less.

About 6 million people were left without any employment.

As jobs disappeared the youth took to criminal activities.

Total despair, a deep anxiety and fear became commonplace in people.

The savings of salaried people and the pensioners began to diminish when the value of money went down.

Small businessmen, self employed and the retailers were ruined.

Big business was not possible.

The sharp fall in agricultural prices affected the peasants to a great extent.

Women were in deep despair as they could not feed their children properly.

 

What were the powers that were given to the Police Forces in the Nazi State?

The newly organised Police Forces , in the Nazi State, were given so much powers that people could be detained in Gestapo torture chambers, they could be rounded up and sent to concentration camps, or be deported or arrested without any legal procedure. The police force could function with such unwieldy authority that the Nazi state was known as the most dreaded criminal state.

 

What were Hitler’s Foreign Policies?

Hitler’s Foreign Policies were a great success. He pulled out of the League of Nations in 1933. He reoccupied the Rhineland , which was confiscated by the French ,in 1936. In 1938 Hitler integrated Austria and Germany under the slogan, One people, One empire, and One leader.

He then captured the German-speaking Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia, and soon gobbled up the entire country.

In all of his foreign activities Hitler had the unspoken support of England, which had considered the Versailles verdict too harsh. These quick successes Hitler had at home and abroad reversed the destiny of the country.

 

What was the historic blunder Hitler committed in 1941?

In June 1941, Hitler attacked the Soviet Union. The German western front was exposed to British aerial bombing and the eastern front was crushed by the powerful Soviet Red Army at Stalingrad. Thus the Soviet established its leadership over entire Eastern Europe for the next 50 years. This was the historical blunder committed by Hitler.

What was the reaction of the common people to Nazism?

The common people reacted positively to Nazism. They saw the world through Nazi eyes and spoke their mind in the Nazi language. The common man felt anger and hatred when he saw the Jews. They marked the houses of the Jews and reported about suspicious neighbors.

They believed that Nazism would bring prosperity and general well-being.

A large majority of Germans were passive onlookers and were scared to differ or protest.

What were the terms given by the Nazis when they wanted to convey the words ’kill’ or ‘murder in their official communications ?

The Nazis used the words ‘special treatment or final Solution’ to convey mass killing of the Jews. The words , ‘selection or disinfection’ was used for the elimination of the disabled and to deport people to the Gas Chambers the Nazis used the word ‘evacuation’.

Gas Chambers were called ‘disinfection areas’. These chambers looked like bath rooms with fake showerheads.

 

How were women treated in Nazi Germany?

Women in the Nazi Germany were treated as important citizens. Motherhood was glorified, but not all mothers were treated equally. The women who bore desirable children were awarded. They were given favored treatment in hospitals and concessions in theaters and shops. Those who bore undesirable children were condemned and punished severely.

Honor Crosses were given to women who produced more children. Women with 4 children were given a Bronze cross, women with 5 were given a Silver cross , while women who bore 8 children and more were given a Gold cross.

Aryan women who deviated from the given code of conduct were severely punished

 

What was expected of the youth in Nazi Germany?

All the young men above the age of 18 years were expected to serve in the armed forces and enter one of the Nazi organisations.

At the tender age of 10 they had to join ‘Jungvolk’ – Nazi youth groups for children below 14 years of age. At 14 years of age they enrolled in the Nazi Youth Organisation called ‘Hitler Youth’.

The German youth were educated in the spirit of National Socialism by these youth organizations. They were taught to worship war, glorify aggression and violence , condemn democracy , hate Jews, communists, gypsies and all those who were called ‘undesirable’.

Why did the Nazis hate the Jews?

Traditionally the Jews were considered as the killers of Jesus Christ. It was this traditional hostility and the fact that were basically money lenders charging excessive interest that made the Nazis hate the Jews.

 

Why did the German Mark collapse?

Germany had to pay war reparation after its defeat in the First World War. But Germany refused to pay the reparation and France occupied Ruhr to claim Germany’s coal. In retaliation Germany printed paper currency recklessly. As a result, the value of the German mark collapsed and prices of goods soared.

In December 1923, 1 US dollar was equal to 98,860,000 marks. People had to carry a cart load of currency to buy a loaf of bread. This crisis is known as hyperinflation.

 

What steps were taken by Adolf Hitler for the destruction of democracy ?

The following steps were taken by Hitler for the destruction of democracy :

• A mysterious fire that broke out in the German Parliament building in February, 1933 indefinitely suspended civic rights. It is said that the fire was broken out by Hitler’s supporters, while Hitler blamed his political enemies for it. The Fire Decree of 28 February, 1933 indefinitely suspended civic rights such as freedom of expression, speech, press and assembly that had been guaranteed by the Weimar Constitution.

• After Adolf Hitler turned on his enemy, i.e., the Communists of Germany, most of the communists were quickly packed off to the newly established concentration camps.

• The repression of the Communists was severe. Their membership was in the thousands. They were, however, only one among the 52 types of victims persecuted by the Nazis across the country.

• On 3rd March, 1933, the famous Enabling Act was passed. This Act established dictatorship in Germany. It gave Adolf Hitler all political and administrative powers to sideline German Parliament and rule by decree.

 

What were the main effects of Nazi rule on Germany ?

The victory of Nazism produced far reaching effects on Germany :

• Hitler tried to pull his country out of the Economic Crisis that had befallen Germany as a result of her defeat in the First World War.
  Different types of industries were set up to provide work to the workmen. Trade was encouraged with the same aim in mind.

• Hitler inspired to make Germany a powerful country and enhanced his military power in all possible ways.

• All political parties except the Nazi Party were banned. And, then a Reign of Terror was let loose in Germany. Assassinations of anti-Nazi leaders took place on a large scale.

• The Communist Parties were also banned.

• Trade unions were suppressed.

 

What did Hitler do to overcome the economic crisis that badly hit the German economy ?

After establishing his dictatorship in Germany,he took major steps towards economic reconstruction.

Hitler assigned the responsibility of economic recovery to the economist Hjalmar Schacht who aimed at full production and full employment through a state-funded work-creation programme.

In foreign policy also, Hitler acquired quick successes. He pulled out of the League of Nations in 1933, reoccupied the Rhineland in 1936, and integrated Austria and Germany in 1938 under the slogan, One people, One empire, and One leader.

He then went on to wrest German speaking Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia and gobbled up the entire country. In all of this he had the unspoken support of England, which had considered the Versailles verdict too harsh. These quick successes at home and abroad seemed to reverse the destiny of the country.

Hitler chose war as the way out of the approaching economic crisis. Resources were to be accumulated through expansion of territory. In September 1939, Germany invaded Poland. This started a war with France and England. In September 1940, a Tripartite Pact was signed between Germany, Italy and Japan, strengthening Hitler’s claim to international power.

Hitler now moved to achieve his long-term aim of conquering Eastern Europe. He wanted to ensure food supplies and living space for Germans. He attacked the Soviet Union in June 1941. In this historic blunder Hitler exposed the German western front to British aerial bombing and the eastern front to the powerful Soviet armies.

Why is Nazism considered a calamity not only for Germany but for the entire Europe ?

Nazi ideology specified that there was racial hierarchy and no equality between people.

(a) The blond, blue-eyed Nordic German Aryans were at the top, while the Jews were located somewhere on the lowest rung of the ladder.

(b) The number of people killed by Nazi Germany was 6 million Jews, 200,000 Gypsies, 1 million Polish civilians, 70,000 Germans.

(c) Nazism glorified the use of force and brutality. It ridiculed internationalism, peace and democracy.

(d) Nazi Germany became the most dreaded criminal state. Hitler chose war as the way out of approaching the economic crisis.

(e) Germany invaded Poland. This started a war with France and England in September 1940.

 

Explain the impact of the First World War on European society and polity.

The First World War left a deep imprint on European society and polity. It had a devastating impact on the entire continent.

(a) In society, soldiers were ranked higher than civilians. The Trench life of the soldiers was glorified by the media. The media glorified trench life.

(b) Politicians and publicists laid great stress on the need for men to be aggressive and masculine.

(c) Aggressive war propaganda and national honor occupied center stage in the public sphere.

(d) Popular support grew for conservative dictatorships that had recently come into being.

(e) Democracy as a young and fragile idea could not survive the instabilities of interwar Europe.