What is the Germany in Transition option in WJEC GCSE History?

Germany in Transition 1919 to 1939 is a Unit 2 study in depth with a European or world focus, a 1-hour written exam worth 25 percent. It examines the unstable early Weimar Republic, the Stresemann recovery, the rise of the Nazis during the Depression, Hitler's consolidation of power, and the Nazi police state, propaganda and persecution to 1939.

Why was the early Weimar Republic so unstable?

It was born in defeat and blamed for the hated Treaty of Versailles, with nationalists pushing the 'stab in the back' myth. It was attacked from both extremes (the Spartacist uprising on the left and the Kapp Putsch on the right), and in 1923 the French occupation of the Ruhr and the resulting hyperinflation pushed it to the brink, wiping out savings.

How far did Germany recover under Stresemann?

The recovery was real but fragile. Stresemann ended hyperinflation with the Rentenmark, the Dawes and Young Plans brought American loans, and Locarno and League membership restored Germany's standing, alongside a cultural flourishing. But the recovery rested on short-term American loans, farming stayed depressed, unemployment remained and extremists survived, so it collapsed after the Wall Street Crash of 1929.

Why did the Nazis rise to power between 1929 and 1933?

Above all because of the Depression: the Wall Street Crash brought mass unemployment, and desperate voters turned to the extremes. The Nazis offered powerful propaganda, the promise of 'work and bread', a strong leader and the SA, while blaming Jews and communists. Weimar democracy was weak, and in January 1933 conservative politicians persuaded Hindenburg to appoint Hitler chancellor, wrongly thinking they could control him.

How did Hitler consolidate power by 1934?

He used the Reichstag Fire to attack the communists and pass an emergency decree, then the Enabling Act of March 1933 to make laws without parliament. Gleichschaltung banned other parties and unions, the Night of the Long Knives in June 1934 removed the SA threat and won the army, and when Hindenburg died in August 1934 Hitler became Fuhrer, with the army swearing loyalty to him personally.

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Germany in Transition 1919 to 1939: a complete overview for WJEC GCSE History (Unit 2)

A complete overview of Germany in Transition 1919 to 1939 for WJEC GCSE History Unit 2, covering the unstable Weimar Republic, the Stresemann recovery, the rise of the Nazis, Hitler's consolidation of power, and the Nazi police state and persecution.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.815 min read3100-unit-2Updated 2026-06-14

Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed

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What this covers
The unstable Weimar Republic
The Stresemann recovery
The rise of the Nazis and Hitler's dictatorship
The Nazi police state and persecution
Check your knowledge

What this covers

Germany in Transition 1919 to 1939 is a Unit 2 study in depth with a European or world focus. This overview ties the dot points together: the unstable Weimar Republic, the Stresemann recovery, the rise of the Nazis, Hitler's consolidation of power and the Nazi police state and persecution. The unit is examined by knowledge, source and interpretation questions, so revise both the content and the exam skills.

The unstable Weimar Republic

The Republic was born in defeat in 1919, blamed for the Treaty of Versailles and the "stab in the back", and attacked from both extremes (the Spartacists and the Kapp Putsch). The 1923 crisis of the Ruhr occupation and hyperinflation nearly destroyed it.

The Stresemann recovery

Under Stresemann, Germany recovered: the Rentenmark ended hyperinflation, the Dawes and Young Plans brought American loans, and Locarno and the League restored Germany's standing, with a cultural flourishing. But the recovery was fragile, resting on short-term loans.

The rise of the Nazis and Hitler's dictatorship

The Depression after the Wall Street Crash brought mass unemployment, and the Nazis rose through propaganda, the SA and the scheming of conservatives, with Hitler made chancellor in January 1933. He consolidated power through the Reichstag Fire, the Enabling Act, Gleichschaltung, the Night of the Long Knives and becoming Fuhrer in August 1934.

The Nazi police state and persecution

The regime controlled Germany through terror (the SS, Gestapo and camps), propaganda (Goebbels), and the control of the young and women, and persecuted the Jews through the Nuremberg Laws (1935) and Kristallnacht (1938).

Germany in Transition 1919 to 1939 is a WJEC Unit 2 world depth study. The Weimar Republic was born in defeat, blamed for the Treaty of Versailles and the "stab in the back", attacked from both extremes, and nearly destroyed by the 1923 Ruhr crisis and hyperinflation. Under Stresemann it recovered through the Rentenmark, the Dawes and Young Plans, Locarno and the League, with a cultural flourishing, but the recovery was fragile and collapsed after the Wall Street Crash of 1929. The Depression brought the Nazis to power through propaganda, the SA and the scheming of conservatives, and Hitler consolidated power through the Reichstag Fire, the Enabling Act, Gleichschaltung, the Night of the Long Knives and becoming Fuhrer in 1934. The regime then controlled Germany through terror, propaganda and the control of the young and women, and persecuted the Jews through the Nuremberg Laws and Kristallnacht.

Check your knowledge

Why was the early Weimar Republic unstable? (3 marks)
What caused the hyperinflation of 1923? (2 marks)
How did Stresemann end hyperinflation? (2 marks)
Why was Germany's recovery under Stresemann fragile? (2 marks)
Why did the Nazis rise to power after 1929? (3 marks)
What did the Enabling Act do? (2 marks)
How did Hitler become Fuhrer in 1934? (2 marks)
How did Nazi persecution of the Jews escalate? (3 marks)

Solutions

Q1: It was blamed for the hated Treaty of Versailles and the "stab in the back", attacked from both extremes (Spartacists, Kapp Putsch), and pushed to the brink by the 1923 crisis.
Q2: The French occupation of the Ruhr over reparations led to passive resistance, and the government printed money to pay the strikers, triggering hyperinflation.
Q3: He replaced the worthless mark with the Rentenmark in late 1923 and ended the passive resistance in the Ruhr, restoring confidence in money.
Q4: It rested on short-term American loans, while farming stayed depressed, unemployment remained and extremists survived, so it collapsed after 1929.
Q5: The Depression brought mass unemployment; the Nazis offered propaganda, "work and bread" and a strong leader, while Weimar weakness and conservative scheming made Hitler chancellor.
Q6: It let Hitler make laws without the Reichstag for four years, giving him a legal dictatorship.
Q7: The Night of the Long Knives removed the SA threat and won the army, and when Hindenburg died Hitler combined chancellor and president as Fuhrer.
Q8: From the boycott of Jewish businesses (1933), to the Nuremberg Laws (1935) stripping citizenship, to the violence of Kristallnacht (1938).

Sources & how we know this

WJEC GCSE History (Wales) specification (3100) — WJEC (2017)