Social and cultural developments in Germany, 1924-28 Flashcards
Social welfare reform, living standards and lifestyle, the development of arts and culture in the Weimar Republic
Why was the German social welfare reform very expensive?
It supported over 2 million war widows, orphans and war disabled.
Why did the position of women in Germany improve due to WW1?
Over 2 million German soldiers had been killed in the war and there were less opportunities for young women to get marriage.
-The war had brought many more women into paid employment- many wanted to stay in work.
What was the viewpoint of the League of German women (BDF), which was the most popular women’s group in the 1920s?
The group, who had 900,000 members promoted traditional family values and maternal responsibilities.
evidence to demonstrate there were more rights for Weimar women, one for each topic:
-employment
-sexual freedom
-politics and public life.
Employment -36% of the Weimar German workforce were women
-By 1933, there were 100,000 women teachers and 3,000 women doctors
Sexual Freedom -Birth control was more widely available
-Divorce rates increased
-There was a rise in the number of abortions
Politics and public life -Women gained equal voting rights
-41 women were elected to the new Reichstag
evidence to demonstrate Weimar women’s rights were NOT as perfect as often thought, one for each topic:
-employment
-sexual freedom
-politics and public life.
Employment -Women were required to give up their employment when they married
-Women were paid less than me doing the same work
-Married women who continued to have paid jobs were blamed for male unemployment
Sexual Freedom -Abortion was still a criminal offence and was performed unsafely
-Catholic and Protestant churches vigorously opposed birth control, divorce and abortion
Politics and public life -No woman became a cabinet member during the Weimar Republic
-Only the KPD made gender equality a key element in its programme
Name two popular German youth groups in the Golden Age.
-Wandervogel: Highly nationalistic and enjoying the outdoors
-Church Youth Groups: Both for Catholic and Protestant children.
How many Jewish people lived in Germany under the Weimar Republic?
More than 500,000 (but less than 1% of the population). Over 80% of the Jews were well educated.
What percentage of banks did Jewish families own?
50%. They also owned 18% of the whole banking sector in Germany.
How did Berlin’s nightclubs change during this time period?
They adopted American styles of jazz music and liberation. Nudity was featured strongly and individuals did not need to conceal their sexuality any longer.
What is the name of the predominant movement in German art, music and literature?
Expressionism. Many believed that forms of art should express meaning or emotion rather than reality.
What is Jewish Bolshevism?
A term used by anti-Semites in the Weimar period to imply that Jews and communists were closely associated
What is the name of the best-known film of the Weimar Era which happens to be directed by a Jewish director?
The Blue Angel
Name and date the 3 Social Welfare Reforms that were extended or modified between 1924-27
1924 Public Assistance
1925 State Accident
1927 National Unemployment
The welfare system was expensive to administer and sustain, leading to the introduction of a means test. Define a means test.
A means test is a test to see whether or not someone is
eligible for benefits, its a check on financial circumstances, this was often a very humiliating process for those who had to go through it.
Name 2 groups that experienced a rise in living standard
- Business owners
- Salaried employees (in trade unions)
- Those on benefits
- Women in employment
