Title: PROTOTYPE COLUMN

👣 The road to war

Below you will find an information text and a video about the period before the start of the Second World War. You can use the information to answer the two questions and fill in the timeline.

A chronicle of the escalation

On January 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor and the National Socialists took power in Germany. Soon afterwards, the systematic persecution of political opponents and the synchronization of public and private life began. In terms of foreign policy, Hitler pursued the goal of shaking off the burdens and restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles. On February 3, 1933, he announced to the military leadership his goal of conquering living space in the East.

The military supported Hitler's rearmament plans, which was reinforced by the “Röhm Affair” in the summer of 1934. The SA leadership was murdered and the Reichswehr swore allegiance to Hitler. In January 1938, Hitler dismissed many high-ranking generals and took on the role of Minister of War himself, thereby gaining direct influence over the Wehrmacht.

Hitler's aggressive foreign policy began with Germany's withdrawal from the League of Nations and the reintegration of the Saarland. In March 1935, Hitler announced the establishment of the Wehrmacht and the reintroduction of compulsory military service, which violated the Treaty of Versailles. In 1936, he occupied the demilitarized Rhineland.

The “Berlin-Rome axis” was created through the alliances with Italy and Japan. The “Anschluss” of Austria in March 1938 took place without a fight. In September 1938, the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia was occupied at the Munich Conference. In March 1939, Hitler occupied the “rest of Czechoslovakia”.

France and Great Britain granted Poland declarations of guarantee, whereupon Hitler prepared the attack on Poland. On September 1, 1939, the Second World War began with the German invasion of Poland.

Source: Federal Agency for Civic Education

📋 Work assignment

Complete the two tasks using the information from the text and the video.

Q: Describe the initial steps Hitler took to consolidate power in Germany after becoming Chancellor in 1933.
A: After becoming Chancellor in January 1933, Hitler quickly overthrew the parliamentary system by enacting laws that allowed him to rule by decree. By the summer of 1933, he had outlawed all other political parties and merged all the great offices of state into one, giving him supreme power as Germany's leader.

Q: Explain how the Treaty of Versailles influenced Hitler’s foreign policy actions.
A: The Treaty of Versailles imposed heavy burdens and restrictions on Germany after World War I, which Hitler aimed to shake off. He violated the treaty by reintroducing compulsory military service and rebuilding Germany's armed forces. He also occupied the demilitarized Rhineland and pursued the reintegration of territories like the Saarland into Germany.

🔎 Insight into the war

In the newspaper article, you can find out more about a selected event in the Second World War. Read the article and then answer the questions.

The Soviet Invasion of Bucharest: Turning Point in WWII

In late August 1944, the Soviet Red Army invaded Bucharest, marking a significant turning point in World War II. Romania, initially an ally of Nazi Germany, experienced a dramatic shift in allegiance following the invasion. This move was part of the Soviet's larger strategy to dismantle the Axis powers and secure Eastern Europe under communist influence.

Soviet troops greeted by locals in Bucharest, August 1944. Source: Wikipedia

During the summer of 1944, the tide of war was turning against Germany. The Soviets had launched a massive offensive on the Eastern Front, pushing German forces back. The invasion of Bucharest occurred after Romania's King Michael I orchestrated a coup against the pro-German government, leading to Romania's surrender to the Allies and subsequent cooperation with Soviet forces.

The immediate aftermath of the invasion saw Romania switching sides to support the Allies. Romanian troops joined Soviet forces in the fight against Germany, contributing to the eventual defeat of the Axis powers in Europe. This shift had profound implications for Romania, paving the way for the establishment of a communist regime under Soviet influence.

In the decade following the invasion, Romania underwent significant social, political, and economic changes. The Soviet occupation led to the nationalization of industries and collectivization of agriculture. The communist government suppressed political dissent and established a centralized economy, which impacted the daily lives of Romanians for decades.

📋 Work assignment

Complete the two tasks using the information from the newspaper article.

Q: Outline the key events that led to Romania switching sides in World War II after the Soviet invasion of Bucharest.
A: The key events that led to Romania switching sides in World War II include the Soviet Red Army's invasion of Bucharest in late August 1944 and King Michael I's coup against the pro-German government. Following the coup, Romania surrendered to the Allies and began cooperating with Soviet forces, ultimately joining them in the fight against Germany.

Q: Explain how the Soviet invasion of Bucharest affected Romania's political, social, and economic landscape in the decade following World War II.
A: The Soviet invasion of Bucharest had profound implications for Romania's political, social, and economic landscape. The Soviet occupation led to the nationalization of industries and collectivization of agriculture. The establishment of a communist regime under Soviet influence resulted in the suppression of political dissent and the creation of a centralized economy, significantly impacting the daily lives of Romanians for decades.

⌛ Consequences and repercussions

Three people have left you voicemails about events after the end of the Second World War. Listen to the messages from Jane, John and Lisa and then complete the task. Then fill in the attached timeline by recording all the information. Add the date and event from the newspaper article yourself.

Q: Outline the long-term economic, territorial and political consequences of the Second World War.
A: Die wirtschaftlichen Folgen des Zweiten Weltkriegs waren umfangreich. Europa, insbesondere Deutschland, lag in Trümmern, und es gab weit verbreitete Armut und Obdachlosigkeit. Das Marshall-Plan, eingeführt im Juni 1947, spielte eine entscheidende Rolle beim Wiederaufbau Westeuropas, wobei Deutschland besonders profitierte. Auf der anderen Seite hatte Ostdeutschland unter sowjetischer Kontrolle ein langsameres wirtschaftliches Wachstum. Politisch führte der Krieg zur Bildung der Vereinten Nationen im Oktober 1945 und zur Teilung Deutschlands in West- und Ostdeutschland, was ein Symbol für den Kalten Krieg wurde. Territorial wurden die Grenzen Europas neu gezogen, Deutschland wurde in vier Besatzungszonen aufgeteilt und Polen verschob seine Grenzen westwärts. Japan und Italien verloren ebenfalls Territorien, und die Sowjetunion expandierte erheblich.

[Image: Worksheet Image]