Nazi Germany 1933–39 in Edexcel IGCSE History (4HI1)
Who this is for: Edexcel IGCSE History (4HI1) students studying Germany: Development Of Dictatorship, 1918–45 who need to turn Nazi Germany 1933–39 into reliable “Describe two features” and “Explain why” marks. What query it owns: how to understand and revise Nazi Germany 1933–39 in Edexcel IGCSE History. Why this is safe: this page owns the revision-guide angle, while Tutopiya’s Nazi Germany 1933–39 subtopic page owns the learning resource and the free Nazi Germany 1933–39 quiz owns the practice.
Once in power, Hitler swiftly turned Germany into a one-party dictatorship and reshaped society through terror and propaganda.
Key takeaways
- The Reichstag Fire (1933) and Enabling Act (1933) let Hitler rule by decree.
- The Night of the Long Knives (1934) removed rivals within the party.
- After Hindenburg’s death Hitler became Führer; terror and propaganda controlled Germany.
- Jews were persecuted, including the Nuremberg Laws (1935) and Kristallnacht (1938).
What you need to know about Nazi Germany 1933–39
Between 1933 and 1939 Hitler created a Nazi dictatorship: the Reichstag Fire and Enabling Act gave him power, the Night of the Long Knives removed rivals, and propaganda, terror and persecution controlled society. You can read the full explanation, dates and examples on the Nazi Germany 1933–39 subtopic page before you attempt questions.
The key points you must master
| Key point | Significance |
|---|---|
| Reichstag Fire & Enabling Act (1933) | Gave Hitler dictatorial powers |
| Night of the Long Knives (1934) | Removed rivals in the SA |
| Propaganda and terror | Controlled society; SS and Gestapo |
| Persecution of Jews | Nuremberg Laws (1935); Kristallnacht (1938) |
How to revise Nazi Germany 1933–39 — step by step
- Learn the timeline — fix the key dates and their order in your memory.
- Link cause and effect — for each development, know what caused it and what it led to.
- Practise short answers — “Describe two features” before extended “Explain why” essays.
- Use the quiz to find gaps — Nazi Germany 1933–39 quiz.
- Review mistakes and re-test the weak spots.
Nazi Germany 1933–39 in exam wording
| Command word / stem | What the question wants |
|---|---|
| Describe two features of… | Two supported points of knowledge, each developed |
| Explain why… | Linked reasons showing cause and effect |
| How far do you agree… | A balanced judgement with evidence on both sides, then a clear decision |
Worked exam-style stems
- “Describe two features of how Hitler consolidated his power in 1933–34.” Give one feature with a supporting detail, then a second feature with its own detail — two developed points, no narrative.
- “Explain why Germany became a one-party dictatorship after 1933.” Build two or three linked reasons into a chain of cause and effect. Reward: developed causation, not a list.
Test yourself with the free Nazi Germany 1933–39 quiz and, when ready, the The Establishment of the Weimar Republic and Its Early Problems quiz.
How Nazi Germany 1933–39 links to the rest of the depth study
Revise Nazi Germany 1933–39 alongside the The Establishment of the Weimar Republic and Its Early Problems subtopic, then move between subtopics using the Edexcel IGCSE History resource hub.
Common mistakes students make
- Writing a narrative instead of answering the command word.
- Forgetting precise dates — they anchor “describe” and “explain” answers.
- Giving one side only in a “How far do you agree” essay.
- Skipping the subtopic quiz before attempting full papers.
When you need more support
Work through the Nazi Germany 1933–39 subtopic page and the The Establishment of the Weimar Republic and Its Early Problems quiz, then get targeted help from an Edexcel IGCSE History tutor.
Frequently asked questions
How did Hitler create a dictatorship?
Using the Reichstag Fire, the Enabling Act, the Night of the Long Knives and control of the army after Hindenburg’s death, Hitler removed opposition and became absolute leader (Führer).
How were Jews persecuted before the war?
Nazi policy escalated from boycotts to the Nuremberg Laws (1935), which stripped Jews of rights, and Kristallnacht (1938), a night of violence against Jewish people and property.
How do I revise Nazi Germany 1933–39 for Edexcel IGCSE History (4HI1)?
Learn the key dates, people and developments, practise “Describe two features” and “Explain why” questions, then use the free Nazi Germany 1933–39 quiz to find and fix gaps before attempting full papers.
Ready to master Nazi Germany 1933–39?
Open the Nazi Germany 1933–39 subtopic page, explore the Edexcel IGCSE History hub, book a free trial, and try the free quiz.
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