Social Developments 2

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Contemporary reactions to Weimar Culture

Weimar culture was more liberal and influenced by Western countries such as America. Whilst many embraced this, there was also a strong conservative reaction against it.

Democratisation of culture

High arts, such as literature, Opera and theatre were greatly democratised.
Film and music were so more readily accessible due to technology.

Conservative response to Weimar Culture

Conservative Germans saw cultural changes reinforcing their fears of a world in decay. They were concerned by ‘filth and trash’ damaging the young especially.
The Zentrum and Nationalist parties spoke of morality, family values and traditional German culture as being under threat.
Many Jewish artists and performers were involved. The extreme right saw this as further proof of the damage being done to Germany by the Weimar Republic.

Censorship in Weimar Germany

In 1926 a Law To Protect Youth From Pulp Fiction And Pornography was passed. State governments made lists of books not to be sold to under 18’s.
The 1926 Law went against article 118 of the Weimar Constitution, which said there would be no censorship. This caused controversy.
Thomas Mann said:
- ‘[Protecting our young] is nothing more than a pretext. The law’s drafters want to use the law…against freedom, against intellect itself.’

Living Standards and Lifestyles in Weimar Germany

In evaluation the living standards for many did improve in Weimar Germany. The position of women also arguably improved but this was contentious.

Workers

While real wages rose for those in work, unemployment remained over 6%.
With unemployment high, trade unions did not use strikes or press for more workers’ rights. Nevertheless many welfare provisions were brought in.
However, overall living standards did improve.

Housing

Good quality, healthy housing was written into the Weimar Constitution in article 155.
Between 1924 and 1931 over two million new homes were built and almost 200,000 improved.
The government made low interest loans available, as well as tax breaks and land grants for housing and its own direct investment in housing.
Homelessness was drastically reduced.
State governments also improved housing, schools, hospitals, roads and electricity supplies.

Positive changes for women

The ideal 'New Woman' was sexually liberated and independent, with short hair and make up.
The Weimar Constitution gave women equal voting rights to men.
Women were active in local politics and in 1919 41 women were elected as representatives in the Reichstag.
As many women worked during the First World War, attitudes to employment had changed. In 1925, 36% of German workers were women.

Lack of change for women?

Many opposed the 'New Woman'.
Socially:
- Conservatives believed she was an attack on social morals.
- The Church opposed the sexual liberation of women through contraception.
Economically:
- Following the war, many men returned to their jobs and ousted women.
Politically:
- No women were part of the Reichsrat.
- Only the KPD had an agenda which included feminism. Other parties did not campaign for women's rights.

Historical assessment

Kathy Peiss (2008) argues that the "new woman" of the 1920s was a global phenomenon. Her development in Germany was linked particularly strongly to the US. Often business people who had travelled to the US brought back cultural ideas with them.
- In later 1920s and 1930s in Germany the idea of the "modern girl" became part of the political and racial struggle of the Nazis. They 'rejected the sexualised flapper girl', preffering 'her healthy and athletic sister' who was said to represent the strong Aryan race and the German nation.

1The Weimar Republic 1918-1933

1.1Establishment Of The Weimar Republic 1918-1924

1.1.1Post WW1

1.1.2Weimar Constitution

1.1.3Peace Settlement

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Germany Post WW1

1.1.5Economic Issues

1.1.6Economic Issues 2

1.1.7Social Issues

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Economic & Social Issues

1.1.9Extremist Threats

1.1.10Extremist Threats 2

1.1.11End of Topic Test - Extremist Threats

1.1.12Political Instability & The Invasion of the Ruhr

1.1.13Weimar Government by 1924

1.1.14End of Topic Test - Weimar Government by 1924

1.1.15A-A* (AO3/4) - Germany Post WW1

1.2The 'Golden Age' Of The Weimar Republic 1924-1928

1.2.1Economic Developments

1.2.2Industry & Agriculture

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Economic Developments

1.2.4Social Developments

1.2.5Social Developments 2

1.2.6End of Topic Test - Social Developments

1.2.7Political Parties

1.2.8Political Stability

1.2.9End of Topic Test - Weimar Politics

1.2.10Germany's International Position

1.2.11Germany's International Position 2

1.2.12End of Topic Test - International Position

1.2.13A-A* (AO3/4) - The Weimar 'Golden Age'

1.3The Collapse of Democracy 1928-1933

1.3.1The Impact Of The Depression

1.3.2Politics After The Depression

1.3.3The Appeal Of Extremism

1.3.4End of Topic Test - The Depression & Politics

1.3.5'Backstairs Intrigue'

1.3.6'Backstairs Intrigue' 2

1.3.7End of Topic Test - Backstairs Intrigue

1.3.8Political Developments

1.3.9The State by March 1933

1.3.10End of Topic Test - Political Developments

1.3.11A-A* (AO3/4) - The Collapse of Democracy

2Nazi Germany 1933-1945

2.1The Nazi Dictatorship 1933-1939

2.1.1Hitler's Consolidation Of Power

2.1.2The Terror State

2.1.3End of Topic Test - Consolidation of Power

2.1.4Opposition

2.1.5Propaganda

2.1.6A-A* (AO3/4) - Terror State & Propaganda

2.1.7End of Topic Test - Propaganda

2.1.8Economic Policies

2.1.9Economic Policies 2

2.1.10Impact Of Economic Policies

2.1.11Impact Of Economic Policies 2

2.1.12End of Topic Test - Economic Policies

2.1.13Social Policies

2.1.14Social Policies 2

2.1.15Volksgemeinschaft

2.1.16End of Topic Test - Social Policies

2.1.17A-A* (AO3/4) - Economic & Social Policies

2.2The Racial State 1933-1941

2.2.1The Radicalisation Of The State

2.2.2Anti-Semitism

2.2.3Development Of Anti-Semitic Policies

2.2.4Development Of Anti-Semitic Policies 2

2.2.5End of Topic Test - Anti-Semitism

2.2.6Treatment of the Jews in the Early Years of War

2.2.7Deportation & Anti-Semitism Evaluation

2.2.8End of Topic Test - Early Treatment of the Jews

2.2.9A-A* (AO3/4) - The Racial State

2.3The Impact Of War 1939-1945

2.3.1Home Front

2.3.2Impact On Society

2.3.3Impact On Society 2

2.3.4End of Topic Test - Impact of the War

2.3.5War Economy

2.3.6War Economy 2

2.3.7Policies Towards The Jews & Untermenschen

2.3.8A-A* (AO3/4) - Impact of the War

2.3.9End of Topic Test - War Economy

2.3.10Opposition

2.3.11Opposition 2

2.3.12Nazi State by 1945

2.3.13End of Topic Test - Opposition

2.3.14A-A* (AO3/4) - Opposition & The State in 1945

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