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Germany 1925–1955: The People and the State

Defeat, occupation and the two Germanys 1945–1955

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 1

Overview

Germany's defeat in 1945, the four occupation zones, the Nuremberg Trials and faltering de-Nazification, the Berlin Blockade, the two states of 1949, Adenauer and the economic miracle, the eastern economy and the Stasi, the rising of 1953 and living standards by 1955.

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Key term

How did the two German states founded in 1949 differ in leadership and economic organisation?

Key term

What was the Berlin Blockade of 1948–49?

Key term

Which two separate German states came into being in 1949?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    How did the war in Europe end for Germany in 1945?

    Model answer

    Hitler killed himself on 30 April as Soviet troops fought their way into Berlin, and Germany surrendered unconditionally on 8 May.

  2. 2

    How was Germany governed immediately after the surrender?

    Model answer

    It was split into four occupation zones under the United States, Britain, France and the Soviet Union, with Berlin divided the same way.

  3. 3

    What were the Nuremberg Trials of 1945–46?

    Model answer

    Trials of leading Nazis before an Allied court for war crimes and crimes against humanity, which passed twelve death sentences.

  4. 4

    Why did the removal of Nazis from public life lose momentum by the late 1940s?

    Model answer

    There were far too many former party members to replace, and the occupiers needed their skills as the Cold War began.

  5. 5

    What was the Berlin Blockade of 1948–49?

    Model answer

    The Soviet closure of road, rail and canal routes into the western half of the city, defeated by an airlift of supplies lasting almost a year.

  6. 6

    Which two separate German states came into being in 1949?

    Model answer

    The Federal Republic in the west in May, and the German Democratic Republic in the east in October.

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AFactories switched from consumer goods to weapons.
BCar plants turned out tanks, aircraft and jeeps.
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