Q1. Which was the most famous film in which orthodox Jews were stereotyped and marked?
Ans: The most infamous film that stereotyped and marked orthodox Jews is The Eternal Jew.
Q2. What was Article 48 of Weimer Republic?
Ans: Article 48 of the Weimar Republic allowed the President to:
- Impose emergency measures
- Suspended civil rights
- Rule by decree
This provision was frequently used during the Republic’s short existence, contributing to political instability and loss of public confidence in the democratic system.
Q3. Name the scientist who discovered the theory of natural selection and evolution.
Ans: Charles Darwin is the scientist known for formulating the theory of natural selection and the concept of evolution.
Q4. Name the place where people were isolated and detained without due process of law.
Ans: Concentration camps were places where individuals were isolated and detained without any legal process. Key features include:
- Surrounded by electrified barbed wire fences.
- People could be arrested and sent there without legal procedures.
- Mass killings occurred with scientific precision in gas chambers.
These camps were notorious for their brutal conditions and the systematic persecution of various groups, particularly Jews during the Holocaust.
Q5. Explain any three reasons that led to the German invasion of Soviet Union.
Ans: Three key reasons led to the German invasion of the Soviet Union:
- Hitler aimed to conquer Eastern Europe as part of his long-term strategy.
- He sought to secure food supplies and living space for the German population.
- The invasion, which began in June 1941, was intended to expand Germany’s territory.
Q6. What were the promises made by Hitler to the people of Germany?
Ans: Promises made by Hitler to the people of Germany:
- Build a strong nation and restore the dignity of the German people.
- Undo the injustices of the Versailles Treaty.
- Provide employment for those seeking work.
- Ensure a secure future for the youth.
- Eliminate foreign influences and resist foreign conspiracies against Germany.
Q7. What were the ideas of Hitler on racial state?
Ans: Hitler’s ideas on a racial state were based on a strict hierarchy among people:
- The Aryan race, characterised by blond hair and blue eyes, was deemed the most superior.
- Jews were considered the most inferior and were labelled as ‘undesirable’.
- Hitler advocated for lebensraum, or living space, to expand German territory.
He believed that:
- Only a society of pure Nordic Aryans should exist.
- All others, including those deemed impure, had no right to live.
- New territories were necessary to enhance resources and power for Germany.
Hitler aimed to consolidate Germans in one area, particularly targeting eastern expansion, with Poland as a key focus.
Q8. Write a short note on Tripartite Pact.
Ans:
In September 1940, the Tripartite Pact was signed by Germany, Italy, and Japan. This agreement aimed to strengthen Hitler’s influence on the global stage.
- Puppet regimes supporting Nazi Germany were established across much of Europe.
- By the end of 1940, Hitler had reached the height of his power.
Hitler sought to conquer Eastern Europe to secure food and living space for Germans. In June 1941, he attacked the Soviet Union, which led to significant military challenges:
- Germany faced British aerial bombings on the western front.
- The Soviet Red Army dealt a severe defeat to German forces.
Ultimately, Hitler’s regime ended with his suicide in April 1945, and the subsequent Nuremberg Trials prosecuted Nazi war criminals for their actions during the war.
Q9. “Politically, the Weimer Republic was fragile”. Explain.
Ans: Politically, the Weimar Republic was fragile due to several inherent defects in its constitution that made it unstable and susceptible to dictatorship:
- Proportional representation made it nearly impossible for any single party to achieve a majority, resulting in a reliance on coalition governments.
- Article 48 granted the President the authority to impose emergency measures, suspend civil rights, and rule by decree.
- During its brief existence, the Weimar Republic experienced twenty different cabinets, averaging just 239 days in office, alongside frequent use of Article 48.
As crises mounted, public confidence in the democratic parliamentary system eroded, as it appeared unable to provide effective solutions.
Q10. Explain any five features of Hitler’s foreign policy.
Ans:
Hitler’s foreign policy was marked by several significant features:
- Withdrawal from the League of Nations: In 1933, Hitler pulled Germany out of the League, signalling a rejection of international cooperation.
- Reoccupation of the Rhineland: In 1936, he reoccupied this demilitarised zone, defying the Treaty of Versailles.
- Annexation of Austria: In 1938, he integrated Austria into Germany, promoting the idea of “one people, one empire, one leader.”
- Seizure of Sudetenland: Hitler claimed the German-speaking Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia and subsequently took over the entire country.
- Support from England: Throughout these actions, Hitler enjoyed unspoken support from Britain, which viewed the Versailles Treaty as excessively punitive.
These rapid successes helped to transform Germany’s international standing and reversed its post-World War I decline.
Q11. Highlight the different provisions which were made by Nazis for German Youth to enter the Nazi organizations.
Ans: Nazi Provisions for German Youth
- Youth organisations were tasked with educating German youth in the spirit of National Socialism.
- At age ten, children were required to join Jungvolk.
- By age 14, all boys had to join the Hitler Youth, where they were taught to:
- worship war
- glorify aggression and violence
- condemn democracy
- hate Jews, communists, Gypsies, and others deemed undesirable
- After rigorous ideological and physical training, they typically joined the Labour Service at 18.
- Following this, they were obligated to serve in the armed forces and join one of the Nazi organisations.
- The Youth League of the Nazis was founded in 1922 and later renamed Hitler Youth to unify youth movements under Nazi control, leading to the dissolution of other youth organisations.
Q12. Highlight the effects of the recession of 1930 on the German economy.
Ans: The German economy was severely affected by the recession of the 1930s:
- By 1932, industrial production dropped to 40% of the 1929 level.
- Millions of workers lost their jobs or faced reduced wages.
- The number of unemployed reached an unprecedented 6 million.
- Many men took to the streets with placards stating, “Willing to do any work.”
- Unemployed youths often gathered at street corners or queued at local employment exchanges.
- As job opportunities vanished, some youths turned to criminal activities.
- The economic crisis caused widespread anxiety and fear among the population.
- The middle class, including salaried employees and pensioners, saw their savings diminish due to currency devaluation.
- Small business owners and retailers suffered as their businesses collapsed.