1.6 Flashcards
Welfare: How did the Welfare State develop between 1924-1927?
-In 1924, the Public Assistance system, which provided help to the poor & destitute, was modernised.
-In 1925, state accident insurance was extended to include occupational diseases.
-In 1927, a national unemployment insurance system was set up to provide benefits to the unemployed, financed by contributions from workers & employers.
Welfare: What is some evidence that welfare had a positive impact on Germany?
-The highest income tax was increased from 4% to 60% (could be bad, but shows that there was more revenue for the state to be reinvested in the economy).
->2 million houses were built between 1924 & 1931, with a further 200,000 renovated.
-Homelessness reduced by 60% over the decade.
Welfare: What is some evidence that welfare had a negative impact on Germany?
-Welfare needed large expenses & bureaucracy to administer it.
-Tax increases after 1924 meant that tests had to be tightened up & many benefits were delayed. This implies that they weren’t actually fulfilling their purpose.
-Economic growth was uneven, and in 1926, production fell.
-Unemployment never fell below 1.3 million. In 1929, there was an average of 19 million unemployed workers.
-Gov finances raided concern. By 1928, public expenditure reached 26% GNP (double pre-war figures).
-Unemployment benefits were ridiculous. (75% for 9 months).
-it was very expensive. In 1926, 800,000 disabled war vets, 360000 war widows & >900000 orphans were supported by the state.
Youth: What was their role in Germany prior to the golden age?
-Since 1920, there had been a national board of youth organisations, the Reichsausschuss der Jungendverbande.
-They represented 8 groups of youth associations: evangelic, catholic, socialist, occupational, political, civic, sport associations, and Bundische Jugend.
-Before WW1, there had been 40-50,0000 young people who joined various unions.
-The baby boom between 1900-10 meant that there was a large youth population by the 20s.
Youth: What is some evidence that they did not experience a golden age?
-Youth left school at 14, and fewer apprenticeships meant that young people suffered with homelessness disproportionally (17% of homeless), particularly working class families.
-1925-6, 17% of the unemployed were between 14-21 years old.
-Many joined gangs like the Wandervogel.
-Protestants wouldn’t give youth work as a high priority, and lacked youth memberships.
Youth: What is some evidence that they experienced a golden age?
-Germany had the best state education system in all of Europe. Education was comprehensive & non-sectarian, which breaks down some social divides.
-Youth organisations allowed them to become involved in politics (Bismarck Youth, linked to DNVP had 42,000 members).
-Church youth groups promoted religious values.
-New forms of art, music, etc, in cities improved culture.
Women: Name some women involved in politics.
-Clara Zetkin: KPD member of the Reichstag from 1920-33, who organised the first international women’s day in 1911.
-Marianne Weber: Joined DDP in 1919, & was the first women in state legislature. Published feminist books.
-Marie Juchaz: Member of SPD, became the first woman to make a speech in a German legislative body in 1919.
Women: What was life like for women before the golden age?
-Young women lived under the economic authority of their fathers until they were married.
-By 1918, there were 11 million women in work (36% of the workforce)
-By 1919, they held 10% of seats in the Reichstag.
-Due to ‘demobilisation’ laws, many had to give back the jobs they had earned during the war.
Women: What is some evidence that they experience a golden age?
-The number of women in work was 1.7 million higher in 1925 than it had been in 1907.
-They were relevant in politics, 8% of representative in the Prussian Landtag (the most powerful regional parliament).
-Women made up 75% of cinema audiences.
-Agriculture gave employment to 29% of women, but only 13% of men.
Women: What is some evidence that they did not experience a golden age?
-The Traditional Civil Code of 1896 was still enforced, meaning the husband had the right to decide all matters related to the family, including his wife’s employment.
-Abortion was still a criminal offence. By 1930, 10-12,000 died via abortion.
-Catholic & Protestant churches banned contraception.
-No women held cabinet posts & none sat in Reichsrat.
Jews: How many Jews were living in Germany? Show how they were experiencing a golden age.
-500,000 lived in Germany.
-50& of private banks were owned by Jewish families like the Rothschilds.
-More than half the doctors in Berlin were Jewish, & of the 3400 lawyers, 1835 were Jewish.
-24% of German Nobel Prizes were won by jews.
-Figures like Hugo Hasse & Rosa Luxemburg, and Walter Rathenau (Foreign Minister, 1922) were involved in politics.
Jews: Show how they weren’t experiencing a golden age.
-Jews only made up 18% of the whole banking sector (a great reduction since 1914). People also attributed blame for the hyperinflation crisis on them.
-There were 321 court cases prosecuting antisemites (though out of 500,000 jews, this doesn’t seem that high a number.
-Many of the Jewish political figures were assassinated or executed, could be suggested that this played a factor.
-Accusations of ‘Jewish Bolshevism’ from Friekorps.
Arts & Culture: How did art change? Who were some key figures?
-Expressionism & Neue Sachlichkeit movements placed an emphasis on social commentary.
-George Grosz & Otto Dix were key figures.
Arts & Culture: How did music change? Who were some key figures?
-Music became more experimental, with a particular use of atonality.
-Mass audiences were exposed through radio & cinema.
-Grebauchmusik was promoted (music with a purpose).
-Schoenberg & Kroll Opera were key.
Arts & Culture: How did literature change? Who were some key figures?
-Utilitarianism Movement was prominent. Writing had social & political commentary.
-Publishing exploded, books were accessible.
-Gottfried Benn, Arnold Zweig, and Hermann Hesse were key.
-Erich Remarque’s ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’, an anti-war novel, sold 1/2 million copies in 3 months.
