education in the Weimar Republic; cultural experimentation, 1918-32 Flashcards
LO: idelogical influences, education system, curriculum, Weimar culture, political ideology, freedom of expression, entertainment, influence of the past
what was the main ideological purpose of education in the Weimar Republic according to the Weimar Constitution?
education was intended to encourage civil responsibility and personal development
what was the stance of the Weimar Republic on religious education?
the republic was committed to secular education, and parents could remove their children from religious education at the primary level
what was the result of the 1927 bill on confessional and secular schools in the Weimar Republic?
the bill proposing equal status for confessional, common, and secular schools was never made law due to religious opposition
what variety of secondary education existed in the Weimar Republic?
there were Protestant schools, Catholic schools, and common state schools, with around 20,000 Protestant schools, over 15,000 Catholic schools, and nearly 9,000 common schools by 1931
what were the main types of secondary schools in the Weimar Republic?
Hauptschule (leading to apprenticeships), Realschule (leading to business or technical training), and Gymnasium (leading to university)
how did the Weimar educational system address access to univerty?
university access remained limited, with a 1928 survey showing that 45% of university students’ fathers were civil servants, and only 2.3% were from working-class backgrounds
what educational reform was introduced in the Weimar Republic?
the Aufbauschule was introduced, offering a Gymnasium-style education to bright children from poor backgrounds
what subjects were emphasised in the curriculum of Gymnasium schools?
traditional subjects like Latin, Greek, and History
what was Rudolf Steiner’s education reform?
Steiner developed a more liberal and experimental type of schooling, emphasising a balanced relationship between teachers and students and learning through music and pictures
what new cultural movements emerged during the Weimar Republic?
the Weimar period saw an explosion of both high culture (e.g. painting, literature, music), and newly developing mass culture, which challenged traditional values
what were the key political ideologies influencing Weimar culture?
anti-militarism, anti-capitalism, nationalism, and liberalism
how did Weimar culture reflect freedom of expression?
the Weimar Constitution guaranteed free speech, leading to a more liberal culture, esp. in Berlin, with vibrant nightlife, tolerance for homosexuality, and developments for women
what was the relationship between Weimar culture and traditional German values?
many conservatives and nationalist Germans viewed Weimar culture as decadent and a threat to traditional values, while others embraced it as a sign of progress
how did the Weimar Republic contribute to cultural experimentation?
the Weimar Republic saw significant cultural developments, inc. modernist art, expressionism, and the Bauhaus movement in architecture
what role did cinema play in Weimar culture?
cinema became increasingly popular in the 1920s, with a rise in the number of theatres and served as a form of entertainment and escapism during difficult times like the aftermath of WW1
how did the influence of the past manifest in Weimar culture?
German cinema and literature often romanticised the past, such as in films like The Holy Mountain (1926), and novels like Storm of Steel (1920), celebrating traditional values and the German Empire
what was the New Objectivity movement in Weimar culture?
it was an art movement that depicted real life, often showing the squalor of poverty and critiquing the German elite, such as in George Grosz’ painting The Pillars of Society (1926)
what censorship was there for freedom of expression?
the Criminal Code allowed the banning of ‘obcene’ films, art, literature etc
