The Decline of The Peasantry

Question 1

How much percentage wise did agriculture decline in Germany from 1900 to 1989?

Answer 1

From 30% of German national income to under 2% in 1989

Question 2

In 1871, the number of Germans employed in agricultural jobs was 49%. What was it in 1989?

Answer 2

2%

Question 3

Who persuaded Bismark in 1879 to introduce tariffs to stop the import of cheap grain from Russia and the USA?

Answer 3

The Junkers

Question 4

In 1893 why was the Junker backed Agrarian League formed to do?

Answer 4

Fight attempts by the governments to weaken tariffs on foreign imported food

Question 5

What were the issues faced by German farmers in Weimar, Germany in the 1920s?

Answer 5

1) Holland and Denmarks farming practices
2) Competition from world markets
3) Wall Street Crash
4) The Depression
5) Major slump in the value of their goods resulted in widespread bankruptcy and the closure of several farms

Question 6

Name two things that were introduced in Nazi, Germany in 1933 to help protect farms?

Answer 6

1) Laws to protect farms from being forcibly sold - due to debt and takeovers by Jewish banks
2) Guarantees of a high price for German produce

Question 7

In West Germany after WW2, give some factors that led to a further decline in agriculture workers

Answer 7

1) Increase in mechanisation
2) Improved farming practices
3) Farming machinery was subsidised by the Government
4) Demand for German produce was high

Question 8

In West Germany between 1950-1960 how much of the rural economy’s workforce was lost?

Answer 8

50%