Germany Changes in society, 1924 - 1929 Flashcards
Changes in society, 1924 - 1929
How did wages change in the years of recovery?
Hourly wages increased every year between 1924 and 1930. There was a 12% rise in 1928 alone.
The German industrial workforce became the best paid in Europe even as their working conditions also improved.
Lots of factory workers benefited from this increase in wages - there were only 1.4 million Germans out of a 65 million strong workforce out of a job at the start of 1929.
Farmers continued to struggle as farms did not benefit from American investment.
Farmers were faced with an increase in cheap imports from other countries as German prosperity increased. This meant German farmers had to spend money on new machinery to remain competitive, which caused them to lose more money.
Middle-Class resentment increased by 1928 because industrial wages had grown level with those of office workers.
Changes in society, 1924 - 1929
How did the housing situation change in the years of recovery?
2 million new homes were built and homelessness was dramatically reduced by 60%.
Existing homes were renovated.
Changes in society, 1924 - 1929
How did unemployment insurance change in the years of recovery?
Sickness insurance was introduced in 1927 and covered 17 million workers.
The Unemployment Law of 1927 made workers pay into a scheme which would provide Germans with unemployment benefits.
What changes took place for women?
More women than before took on office jobs but the majority were single and under 25.
Overall female employment only increased by 1.7 in 1925 compared to 1905 but this only represented a 1.5% increase.
German women achieved equal voting rights with men.
By 1933, although there were more women in politics, only 4.6% of the Reichstag was female.
The social expectation of the time was still that women should be wives and mothers.
What changes took place in politics?
More female representation than ever before.
Support for extreme Parties fell overall, but there was middle class resentment, and the “farmers revenge” which saw riots and protests in 1928-29.
Communists complained about the capitalist economy and nationalists complained that Weimar culture was a destruction of true German values and culture.
What changes were there in leisure opportunities?
Cafe and bar culture. The jazz age.
Women adopted the flapper style and became more liberated.
Recreational sport and cinema became a much bigger part of German culture.
What were cultural developments in architecture?
Bauhaus style - this emphasised the beauty and simplicity in technology, simple lines and craftsmanship.
What changes were there in art?
New Objectivism - show the world as it is.
Modernism - embrace the future.
Expressionism - reflect thoughts and feelings.
What changes were made in the cinema?
Cinema was full of expressionist films.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari - a horror film based on someone who could predict the future.
The Last Laugh - a film with zero plot, just focuses on the emotions of the characters.
Metropolis - a science-fiction film where the characters live in the future where society has been ruthlessly divided.
