Culture In Weimar Germany

Question 1

What did the German people turn to for affordable entertainment after the economic hardships of war?

Answer 1

Cinema

Cinema was seen as a solution for the German people looking for accessible forms of entertainment.

Question 2

By the end of the 1920s, how many cinemas were present in the German republic?

Answer 2

Over 500 cinemas

This indicates the popularity and accessibility of cinema during that time.

Question 3

What was the main focus of early cinema due to limitations like the absence of sound?

Answer 3

Simple expressionism

Early films included horror and physical comedy, emphasizing visual storytelling.

Question 4

Who directed the film ‘Metropolis’ and in what year was it released?

Answer 4

Fritz Lang in 1927

‘Metropolis’ is recognized for its dark social commentary.

Question 5

What social issue did ‘Metropolis’ critique?

Answer 5

Exploitation of the lower class by the elitist class

The film depicted privileged men exploiting overworked laborers.

Question 6

What concept did ‘Metropolis’ introduce regarding cinema?

Answer 6

Propagandising cinema

This concept was later utilized for nationalist and patriotic films.

Question 7

When was radio introduced to Germany?

Answer 7

1923

Radio quickly became a popular form of mass communication thereafter.

Question 8

How many radio sets were in use across Germany by 1930?

Answer 8

4 million sets

This illustrates the rapid adoption of radio technology.

Question 9

What was the government’s role in radio broadcasting in Germany?

Answer 9

Controlled all channels

The government used radio to promote Germany’s growing democratic culture.

Question 10

What types of content were developed specifically for radio in Germany?

Answer 10

New music and plays

This reflects the cultural expansion facilitated by radio.

Question 11

What barriers prevented many poor individuals from owning a radio?

Answer 11

High cost and monthly fees

These factors limited radio access primarily to middle and upper-class families.

Question 12

What infrastructure issue limited radio use outside urbanized areas in Germany?

Answer 12

Lack of electricity

This restricted radio access to families in cities like Berlin and Munich.

Question 13

How many theatres were there in Berlin?

Answer 13

40 theatres

Question 14

How many newspapers and magazines were present in Berlin?

Answer 14

120 newspapers and magazines

Question 15

Which city was Berlin beginning to challenge for the center of culture in Europe?

Answer 15

Paris

Question 16

What type of performances were notorious in Berlin’s nightclubs?

Answer 16

Naked dancing, subversive songs, and open homosexuality

Question 17

What popular dance reflected the mechanisation and democratisation of life?

Answer 17

The Charleston

Question 18

What is Weimar Cabaret?

Answer 18

Restaurants or nightclubs where patrons could watch singers, dancers, and comedians

Question 19

What is cabaret primarily used for?

Answer 19

Theatrical entertainment

Question 20

What percentage of households in cities could receive a radio in 1932?

Answer 20

46 per cent

Question 21

What percentage of households in villages could receive a radio in 1932?

Answer 21

10 per cent

Question 22

What types of events were Germans attending instead of plays and cabaret?

Answer 22

Traditional church festivals, choral societies, and beer halls

Question 23

True or False: Weimar culture reinforced many people’s support for the regime.

Answer 23

False

Question 24

Fill in the blank: Cabaret in Berlin became notorious for its ________ songs.

Answer 24

subversive

Question 25

What characterizes the music of Weimar Germany?

Answer 25

Experimental with the use of atonality ## Footnote Atonality is music that lacks a tonal center.

Question 26

What is Gebrauchsmusik?

Answer 26

Music with a practical purpose, meant for talented amateurs rather than virtuosos.

Question 27

What new forms of media emerged in Weimar Germany that allowed music to reach the masses?

Answer 27

* Sound films * Radio * Gramophone

Question 28

What does Zeitoper mean?

Answer 28

'Opera of the time', reflecting social and political issues in contemporary Germany.

Question 29

What perspective did Zeitoper typically reflect?

Answer 29

The radical left's perspective on social and political issues.

Question 30

How did Zeitoper incorporate technology?

Answer 30

Embedded into the musical sound and used as gimmicks or props on stage.

Question 31

What was a notable venue for Zeitoper performances?

Answer 31

Kroll Opera in Berlin.

Question 32

What is Zeittheater?

Answer 32

Theatre of the time, developed in Weimar Germany.

Question 33

What techniques did Zeittheater employ?

Answer 33

Realistic techniques and everyday situations.

Question 34

What was the goal of Zeittheater?

Answer 34

To convey a critical message of middle class society.

Question 35

How did street theatre function in Weimar Germany?

Answer 35

It took political drama to a wider audience.

Question 36

What art form became the most explicitly political in Weimar Germany?

Answer 36

Drama.

Question 37

Who believed that a 'theatre that makes no contact with the public is nonsense'?

Answer 37

Bertolt Brecht.

Question 38

What was the slogan of the Bauhaus movement?

Answer 38

Art and technology - a new unity ## Footnote This slogan encapsulated the philosophy of bringing together art and industry.

Question 39

Who founded the Bauhaus School?

Answer 39

Walter Gropius ## Footnote The Bauhaus School was established in Weimar in 1919.

Question 40

What is the primary focus of Bauhaus architecture?

Answer 40

Functionalism ## Footnote Bauhaus emphasized practical design and usability in architecture.

Question 41

Which famous building was designed by Erich Mendelsohn in 1921?

Answer 41

Einstein Tower ## Footnote The Einstein Tower is located in Potsdam.

Question 42

What was Walter Gropius known for aside from founding the Bauhaus?

Answer 42

Iconic door handles and public buildings ## Footnote His contributions to design extended beyond architecture.

Question 43

What was the impact of the Bauhaus movement on German architecture before 1933?

Answer 43

Limited due to focus on architecture post-1927 and suppression by the Nazis ## Footnote After 1933, many followers fled abroad.

Question 44

What was Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's contribution to the Bauhaus School?

Answer 44

He was one of the three architect-directors ## Footnote Mies influenced the 'New Objectivity' movement.

Question 45

What did Mies van der Rohe believe about good design?

Answer 45

It should be functional, not decorative ## Footnote He emphasized rationality and cleanliness in design.

Question 46

What was the Weissenhof Siedlung?

Answer 46

An exhibition on modern housing ## Footnote It featured designs from 17 architects from 5 countries.

Question 47

What was a key characteristic of the homes created in the Weissenhof Siedlung?

Answer 47

Basic shape and pure geometric forms ## Footnote The designs avoided ornamentation and were prototypes for modern living.

Question 48

Which political groups criticized the Bauhaus?

Answer 48

Right wing and left wing ## Footnote The Bauhaus faced opposition from various political factions.

Question 49

Fill in the blank: Bauhaus aimed to reunify all aspects of art into a new form of architecture to add ______ and equality to all.

Answer 49

beauty

Question 50

What was the purpose of the model homes in the Weissenhof Siedlung?

Answer 50

To solve the housing shortage after the war ## Footnote The designs primarily addressed the needs of the working and middle classes.

Question 51

True or False: The Bauhaus School was established in Berlin.

Answer 51

False ## Footnote The Bauhaus School was founded in Weimar.

Question 52

what is visual arts and expressionism

Answer 52

Trying to find the inner world of emotion rather than external reality

Question 53

How was painting publicised and found

Answer 53

through the radio, gramophone, and cinema

Question 54

What is new objectivity

Answer 54

urged the harsh reality of war to be expressed, both Otto Dix and George Grosz were involved.

Question 55

Otto Dix paintings

Answer 55

satirised the wealthy and depicted both war and prostitution

Question 56

What changed after Hitler ?

Answer 56

stopped experimentation and rejected modern art as corrupt.