Unit+3+-+The+Weimar+Republic-Rise+of+the+Nazis

=Unit 3 - The Weimar Republic-Rise of the Nazis =

Background:
"Democracy is becoming rather than being. It can easily be lost, but never is fully won. Its essence is eternal struggle." --William H. Hastie The case study of the Weimar Republic in post World War I Germany (1919-1933) and the rise of the Nazis illuminates basic issues in 20th century history that are integral parts of the scope and sequence of events in the development of Anti-Seminism that ultimately led to the Holocaust. The Weimar Republic is an example of societal conditions that put democracy at risk and contributed to its failure. The roles of individuals at every level were critical in the delivery of messages of hatred, racism and antisemitism that eventually penetrated and dominated mainstream thinking in Germany.

The 1920s was a time of change everywhere in the world including Weimar Germany. It was a time of innovation in the sciences and arts. As divisions in the Weimar Republic widened Nazism rose to fill the void.

This unit will use a variety of resources to evaluate the failures of Weimer Republic that fueled the development of Nazism. Students will build historical skills by reading an overview of the Wiemar Republic, examining a timeline of key events, and analyzing primary sources on cultural, economic, and political issues. This unit will help students to make connections to explore parallels amongst nations of the world today and warning signs that should be noted for the building and sustaining of current and future democracies.

// Examining strengths and weaknesses of the Weimar Republic // = =

Essential Questions:

 * What factors influenced the choices individuals and groups made during the Weimar Republic?
 * What was the appeal of the Nazi party?
 * What puts democracy at risk?
 * How did music reflect the culture of the Weimar Republic?
 * How can a democracy maintain order without destroying freedom?

 Key Content The me s

 * The fragility of democracy
 * Culture as a political instrument
 * The use of simple solutions to difficult societal problems

**Materials and Resources: **
The Facing History online module, __“The Weimar Republic: The Fragility of Democracy”__

Overview: Why study Weimar Germany [] Timeline of Weimar Republic [] //Use log in as "**student"** or **"guest"**// Cabaret Song: “It’s All a Swindle, Mischa Spoliansky and Marcellus Schiffer (1931) [] // Use log in as "**student"** or // **// "guest" //**

Personal Accounts of Inflation Years with picture of inflation of the mark
 * Primary Sources, Economy

[] //Use log in as "**student"** or// **//"guest"//**

Nazi Political Platform of 1920

The following reading is from Chapter Three of the book, __Holocaust and Human Behavior:__ Reading 12, “ Creating the Enemy.”




 * Benchmark Activity[[image:Cabaret_Song_cover.JPG align="right"]] **

**//Question: How does this song reflect the culture of the Weimar Republic?//**

Next click the link below to:

 * listen to the song.
 * **while** you are listening, record significant information in the **"I Hear"** column.

[]

**Think/Write/Pair/Share:**

 * complete the "**It Means"** column by yourself
 * with your partner pair/share your responses
 * revise as needed
 * open the lyrics below and revise your notes as needed
 * complete the "**Summary"** by yourself


 * Class Discussion:** Pairs will share summary with the entire class and revise as needed.


 * Assessment:** In paragraph form, use your notes to answer the question:


 * //How does this song reflect the culture of the Weimar Republic?//**

**Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks**:
USI.12: Explain and provide examples of different forms of government, including democracy, monarchy, oligarchy, theocracy, and autocracy. (H, C) WHII.18: Summarize the major events and consequences of World War I. (H, E) WHII.20: Describe the various causes and consequences of the global depression of the 1930s, and analyze how governments responded to the Great Depression. (H, E)
 * 1) physical and economic destruction
 * 2) the League of Nations and attempts at disarmament
 * 3) the collapse of the Romanov dynasty and the subsequent Bolshevik Revolution and Civil War in Russia
 * 4) post-war economic and political instability in Germany
 * 5) the Armenian genocide in Turkey
 * 6) the unprecedented loss of life from prolonged trench warfare
 * 1) restrictive monetary policies
 * 2) unemployment and inflation
 * 3) political instability