Reading Quiz: Causes of German Expansion, 1919-1939

What punishments did the Treaty of Versailles place on Germany?

• Lost territory, reparations, and reduced military

• Kept Alsace-Lorraine and added new territories

• Signed peace treaties with France and the Soviets

• Gained colonies, expanded army, and no payments

Answer explanation

The Treaty of Versailles imposed significant penalties on Germany, including loss of territory, the obligation to pay reparations, and restrictions on its military size, making the first answer choice correct.

Why did reparations contribute to hyperinflation in 1923?

• Government reduced taxes to increase popularity

• Government borrowed and printed more currency

• Government banned trade with France and Britain

• Government rejected all foreign loans and credits

Answer explanation

Reparations forced the German government to borrow and print more currency to meet payment demands, leading to an oversupply of money. This excessive printing devalued the currency, causing hyperinflation in 1923.

What was the “Stab in the Back” myth?

• Claim that Britain refused to honor its treaties

• Claim that the U.S. secretly controlled the economy

• Claim that France invaded without any declaration

• Claim that politicians betrayed the German army

Answer explanation

The "Stab in the Back" myth claimed that German politicians betrayed the army during World War I, suggesting that the military could have won if not for political interference. This narrative fueled resentment and conspiracy theories.

Why was the Weimar Republic seen as weak?

• Blamed for Versailles, unstable, and failed in crises

• Rebuilt a strong military against treaty restrictions

• Restored jobs and reduced unemployment quickly

• Allied with Britain and France to strengthen security

Answer explanation

The Weimar Republic was seen as weak because it was blamed for the Treaty of Versailles, faced political instability, and struggled to effectively manage economic and social crises, leading to a loss of public confidence.

How did the Great Depression help the Nazis?

• Economic hardship made Nazi promises appealing

• Reparations ended and prosperity returned in Germany

• Foreign trade increased and wages grew rapidly

• Economic recovery created more support for Weimar

Answer explanation

The Great Depression caused severe economic hardship in Germany, making the Nazis' promises of recovery and stability more appealing to the desperate population, which helped them gain support.

Why did many Germans fear communism?

• Belief that communism would protect private business

• Acceptance that communism was already the system

• Fear of a revolution like the Bolsheviks in Russia

• Desire to form a close alliance with the Soviets

Answer explanation

Many Germans feared communism due to the potential for a revolution similar to the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, which had led to significant social and political upheaval. This fear influenced their perception of communism.

What happened during Hitler’s Beer Hall Putsch in 1923?

• Hitler gained power through elections and became chancellor

• Hitler signed a peace deal with France and Britain

• Hitler attempted a coup, failed, and was arrested

• Hitler received direct support from Italy and Japan

Answer explanation

During the Beer Hall Putsch in 1923, Hitler attempted a coup to overthrow the Weimar government. The attempt failed, leading to his arrest and a subsequent trial, which gained him national attention.

Why was Hitler’s appointment in 1933 more significant than the putsch?

• He forced Germany to surrender to the Allies

• He ended the Depression and restored prosperity

• He reopened negotiations over the Versailles Treaty

• He gained legal power, giving him legitimacy

Answer explanation

Hitler's appointment in 1933 was significant because he gained legal power, which provided him with legitimacy. Unlike the failed putsch, this allowed him to implement his policies and consolidate control over Germany.

Why did many Germans support Hitler by the early 1930s?

• Versailles anger, crisis, weak Weimar, Nazi promises

• Peaceful policies, smaller army, and stronger democracy

• Allied aid, new jobs, strong wages, and prosperity

• WWI victory, rising trade, strong support for Weimar

Answer explanation

Many Germans supported Hitler due to anger over the Treaty of Versailles, the economic crisis, the weaknesses of the Weimar Republic, and the promises made by the Nazis to restore national pride and stability.

What were Hitler’s main foreign policy goals?

• Gain colonies in Africa, ally with France, restore monarchy

• Overturn Versailles, unite Germans, and gain Lebensraum

• Trade with Britain, repay reparations, and limit the army

• Support democracy, protect Weimar, and avoid conflicts

Answer explanation

Hitler aimed to overturn the Treaty of Versailles, unite all Germans under one Reich, and acquire Lebensraum (living space) for Germany, which aligns with his aggressive expansionist policies.