Germany: Change & Continuety Flashcards
What was a defining characteristic of cultural expression in the Weimar Republic?
Increased freedom of expression due to Article 118 of the Weimar Constitution, which entitled every German to express their opinion freely without censorship
Name some prominent developments in the arts during the Weimar Republic.
Popularity of Jazz music and cabaret1 …. Cabaret was adult-oriented and underground.
Rise of Expressionism in visual arts with key figures like Otto Dix, George Grosz, and Jeanne Mammen1 …. This art distorted reality to express inner feelings and could be shocking
Experimental literature and theatre, including Bertolt Brecht’s controversial plays like “The Threepenny Opera”1 … and Erich Remarque’s anti-war novel “All Quiet on the Western Front”
Revolutionary architecture and design of the Bauhaus movement, founded by Walter Gropius, merging geometric shapes with new materials
What was the concept of the “New Woman” in Weimar Germany?
Symbolised modernity and progress, including the social, economic, and political emancipation of women
Were there any continuities with pre-Weimar culture?
Yes, the continuation of traditional culture such as choral singing and folk dancing, especially in rural areas1 …. Developments like Expressionist art and modernist building also began before Weimar
How was the ideal of legal equality for ethnic minorities reflected in Weimar society?
While the constitution protected ethnic minorities under human rights acts, this equality in law was not fully mirrored in society, and many still faced disadvantage12 .
Nazi Era (1933-1945)
What was the dominant characteristic of Nazi cultural policy?
Strict control and censorship aimed at achieving Gleichschaltung, totalitarian control over all aspects of German society
How did the Nazis view the culture of the Weimar Republic?
They rejected Weimar and modern culture as “degenerate” and believed Germany had been led astray by its “over-intellectual, Jewish-led, corrupt culture”
What kind of art and culture did the Nazis promote? What was prohibited?
Promoted traditional German values, an idealised simple rural life, Aryan superiority, and extreme nationalism13 …. Art considered “degenerate” (like Expressionism) was prohibited14 …. Architecture became neo-classical
How was culture used by the Nazi regime? Who was central to this?
Culture was actively used for propaganda to create unity and support for Nazi ideology13 …. Goebbels, as the Minister of Propaganda, controlled media, arts, and education to disseminate Nazi ideology
How did the Nazis control education? What was the primary aim?
Through curriculum changes, textbook revisions, mandatory membership in the Hitler Youth (HJ) and League of German Girls (BDM), and teacher indoctrination13 …. The aim was to indoctrinate youth into Nazi ideology, emphasising racial superiority, anti-Semitism, nationalism, militarism, and obedience
What happened to artistic and intellectual freedom during the Nazi era?
Strict control and censorship were imposed14 …. Many artists and intellectuals were banned, dismissed, and forbidden to exhibit or sell their work1 . Libraries were purged of “undesirable” books13 ….
Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) (1949-1989)
What was a key initial shift in culture in the FRG after World War II?
Rejection of Nazi ideology and a revival of democratic and liberal values24 .
What foreign cultural influence was particularly strong in the FRG?
Foreign (especially US) lifestyles, products, and culture13 …, including Hollywood films and rock ‘n’ roll, a process known as Americanisation
How did the FRG address the nationalistic aspects of Nazi culture?
There was a removal of ‘nationalistic’ culture as part of denazification
What was a significant cultural tension in the FRG regarding the past?
Stronger generational tensions emerged over the Nazi past13 …. The older generation often maintained “The Great Silence”25 , while the younger generation confronted the past through movements like New German Cinema
What is “The Great Silence” in the context of FRG culture?
The older generation’s widespread reluctance to openly discuss or confront the Nazi past
Name some distinct cultural developments in the FRG.
The development of unique cultural expressions like Krautrock (experimental rock music)25 …, Heimat films (depicting rural life)25 …, and New German Cinema (exploring contemporary social issues and the past)
How did the arrival of guest workers affect FRG culture?
It led to increased multiculturalism
How did cultural values sometimes differ within the FRG?
There were divides between conservative and liberal cultural values and tensions between traditional German culture and influences from guest workers and international trends
How did the societal focus on the Nazi past evolve over time in the FRG?
Over time, tensions related to the past gradually reduced
