GOLDEN AGE Flashcards
What was one of the key reforms implemented by Stresemann?
End passive resistance
This reform aimed to stabilize the German economy by ceasing non-cooperation with the Allied forces.
What new currency was created during Stresemann’s reforms?
Rentenmark
The Rentenmark was introduced to address hyperinflation and restore confidence in the German economy.
What was a significant goal of Stresemann’s reforms?
Balance the budget
This aimed to create a sustainable financial environment in post-World War I Germany.
What was one of the terms of the Dawes Plan?
Temporary reduction of annual repayments
This provided immediate financial relief to Germany while restructuring reparations payments.
What loan amount was included in the Dawes Plan?
800m mark loan
This loan was intended to help stabilize the German economy and facilitate reparations payments.
What was a key aspect of the Dawes Plan regarding supervision?
Allied supervision of German State Bank
This aimed to ensure financial stability and proper management of reparations.
What was a significant outcome of the Dawes Plan in relation to foreign troops?
French/Belgian troops leave the Ruhr
This withdrawal was part of the agreement to ease tensions and stabilize the region.
Why were interest rates kept high in Germany even after the introduction of the new currancy?
By 1925: Germany appeared more stable and prosperous
Combination of the new currency, the Dawes Plan and Schat’s work at the Reichsbank (where interest rates were kept high to attract foreign investment), helped improve Germany’s situation enormously
What is compulsory arbitration?
industrial disputes are often settled by arbitration in which both sides agree to allow an independent figure (known as the arbitrator) decide on a solution
Why were interest rates kept high in Germany even after the introduction of the new currency and Schat’s work in the Reichbank ?
By 1925 interest rates were kept high to attract foreign investment), helped improve Germany’s situation enormously. American loans stimulated economy which made Germany more prosperous.
What is rationalisation and cartelisation ?
rationalisation (making industry more efficient) and cartelisation (merging large firms into giant cartels) e.g. I.G. Farben, Krupp A.G.
How did rationalisation improve the economy?
Extensive ‘rationalisation’: New management and production techniques were introduced. Old machinery was replaced with new machinery. With American finance and Industrial output grew (but slowly)
Strikes decreased due to compulsory arbitration
Which industries improved because of economic growth in Germany?
Car and aeroplane industries developed, although cars were still expensive for the ordinary German.
Loans financed: schools, housing, road and public works
Strikes decreased due to compulsory arbitration
Why did compulsory arbitration impact the country?
decreased number of strikes
1924 = 1973
1930 = 353
What is a cartel?
groups of industries which combined together to fix prices and protect profits
How did cartelisation work in Germany?
Big industries bought out/made agreements with smaller firms to make cartels as Germany had to hand over many of its materials as reparations at the end of the war.
In 1925 how much of which industry did Germany’s cartel control?
And how many cartel’s where there?
1925: 3000 cartel arrangements (90% of Germany’s coal and steel production)
How did Stresemann’s acknowledge Germany’s financial state?
‘The economic position is only flourishing on the surface. Germany is dancing on a volcano. If the short term-loans are called in, a large section of our economy would collapse’.
- he knew Germany’s was in a fragile financial position
How did cartels improve Germany’s economy?
Fixed prices
Protected profits
Reduced competition
Allowed profits to be reinvested (eg. research)
How many dwellings were built in 1925 & 1926?
1925: 178,930 dwellings built
1926: 205,793 dwellings built
How did the Golden Age improve the lives of the regular people?
Money spent on welfare payments and health improvements
Improvements in living standards for those represented by trade unions
How much did real wages increase in 1927 & 1928?
1927: real wages increased by 9%
1928: real wages increased by 12%
Who are some people who did not benefit from the Weimar Golden Age’s economic recovery?
People in agriculture
white collar workers (middle class)
When was the farming crisis and what was the cause?
1920
commonly believed to be a result of high production for military needs in World War I. At the onset of the crisis, there was high market supply, high prices, and available credit for both the producer and consumer.
Why were farmers struggling financially?
Worldwide agricultural depression kept food prices low
Easier for farmers to borrow money but led to foreclosures from banks when loans could not be repaid
When did grain prices slump for farmers and what effect did it have on production ?
1925/26: global grain surplus and price slump
1928: small-scale riots in protest against foreclosures and low market prices
1929: production less than 75% of pre-war levels
In 1926 how much did unemployment rise to?
Dec 1925: unemployment = 1 million
Mar 1926: unemployment = 3 million+
Why did unemployment rise in Germany in 1926?
More job-seekers
Public spending cuts
Companies reducing workforces to save
How much did the mining population decrease to in 1922-1925 and 1925 - 1929?
1922-1925: mining population reduced by 136,000
1925-1929: mining population reduced by 56,000
Why did the mittlestand not get benefit from Weimar economic recovery?
Weimar ‘economic miracle’ did not benefit everyone. The Mittlesland
Middle-class managers, clerks and bureaucrats did not benefit
White-collar workers got no pay rise
What was the young plan?
Stresemann agreed to the Young Plan in 1929. This cut the amount Germany had to pay in reparations by ¼ and lengthened the amount of time Germany had to pay. This made payments easier for Germany to make
What did stresemann do in terms of reparations?
Stresemann (now foreign minister) wanted an international committee to settle the issue
Headed by American businessman Owen Young
Met in Paris in 1929
Schacht represented Germany
Final settlement on the reparations issue
What were some of the fine details of the young plan?
Continue reparations payments until 1988
Bill reduced to £1.8 billion (rather than £6.5 billion)
Annual payments increased
Foreign control over reparations ceased (Germany’s responsibility)
Britain and France to withdraw all troops from the Rhineland by June 1930 (if reparations were paid on time)
What was the right wings’s reaction to the Young plan?
They were against the TOV and this acknowledged the TOV
Lots of people where against it - it can be seen in the referendum ( a vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct decision ) lots of people 413500 signatures for the freedom law ( execution of anyone who signed the TOV and immediate evacuation of occupied areas
What was the great coalition?
Replaced by Gustav Stresemann’s ‘Great Coalition’
This coalition was the first to include parties from the left and right - DVP/Centre/DDP/SPD
What was stresemannn’s aims when stabilising the economy?
End passive resistance
Issue a new currency
Balance the budget
How did the end of passive resistance improve the economy?
Called off in September 1923
Unpopular and risky move (led to Munich Putsch)
Stresemann believed there was no alternative
Stopping paying resisting workers would help with govt. saving
How did issuing a new economy improve the economy?
November 1923: Rentenmark introduced to replace Reichsmark
1 Rentenmark = 1 trillion Reichsmarks
Supported by mortgage on all industrial and agricultural land (due to no gold to back it up)
Govt. controlled how much in circulation
Old marks gradually collected
August 1924: Rentenmark becomes new Reichsmark – now backed by gold reserve (30% of RM value to
guarantee stability)
All monitored by Hjalmar Schacht (German economist)
Those who lost savings with the collapse of the old Reichsmark gained nothing from the new currency
How did balancing the budget improve the economy?
Cut spending and raised taxes (for people and companies)
Govt. employee salaries cut
300,000 civil servants lost jobs
Confidence grew as govt. debt fell
Well-managed companies were careful not to build up too much debt and so prospered
Weaker companies that relied on credit crumbled
No. of bankrupt companies: 1923 = 233, 1924 = 6000+
Who was Hjalmar Schacht?
Director of the National Bank from 1916
Co-founder of the DDP Party in Nov 1918
1923: Reich Currency Commissioner and head of the Reichsbank, introduced the Rentenmark
Helped negotiate the Dawes and Young Plans
Nazi Economics Minister: 1934-1937
Removed from the Reichsbank in 1939
How did the Daws plan help improve the reparations issue?
The stablisation of Germany’s economy came down to settling the reparations issue. Nov, 1923: Stresemann asked the Reparations Committee to set up a group of financial experts to examine Germany’s situation
American banker Charles Dawes chosen to head the new committee
Apr, 1924: Dawes established a plan to help get Germany’s economy back up on her feet and thus fulfil her payments to France (which then went to the US due to loan agreements)
Stresemann (now foreign secretary) took much credit for the plan
Who was Charles Daws?
American banker and politician
US Vice-President in 1924
Helped resolve the reparations issue
Creator of the Dawes Plan
He and Stresemann won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1925
What were some terms of the daws plan?
A temporary reduction in the annual reparations repayments to £50 million.
US banks and businesses offered loans worth 800 million marks to German industries and businesses.
The German State Bank, the Reichsbank, should be reorganised and supervised by the Allies.
French and Belgian troops would evacuate the Ruhr
What were some of the clauses in the Daws plan?
German economic rebuilt
France left the Ruhr once it became clear that Germany was going to restart paying reparations and the occupation could no longer be justified
Led to German optimism that the country was once again its own master
What were some of the impacts of the Daws plan?
Heated debate in the Reichstag
Privately, Stresemann believed it to be an economic armistice
Nationalists believed it only fuelled the Treaty of Versailles
Allies accepted Germany had reparations problems
Loans were guaranteed
New machinery, factories, houses and jobs could allow economic rebirth
French gradually left the Ruhr (1924-1925)
How did the the right react to Stresemann’s reforms?
Mainly DVP and Nazi party were against it- believed that Germany should defy TofV all together and refuse to pay for reparations
What was the percentage of the vote for pro-Republican parties in May 1924?
61%
What was the percentage of the vote for pro-Republican parties in December 1924?
67%
What was the percentage of the Nazi vote in May 1924?
6.5%
What was the percentage of the Nazi vote in December 1924?
3%
What trend was observed in communist support on the left from 1924 onwards?
Decline in communist support
What trend was observed in right-wing support from 1924 onwards?
Right wing support also on the slide
Which party joined a coalition government in 1925?
DNVP
Fill in the blank: In May 1924, pro-Republican parties received _____ of the vote.
61%
True or False: The pro-Republican parties received a higher percentage of the vote in December 1924 than in May 1924.
True
Fill in the blank: The Nazi vote decreased from 6.5% in May 1924 to _____ in December 1924.
3%
What was the Nazi vote percentage in 1928?
2.6%
This resulted in 12 seats for the Nazis.
Which parties overtook Nazism in 1928?
Bavarian People’s Party and Reich Party of the German Middle Class.
Which party caught up to the Nazis?
Christian National Peasants’ and Farmers’ Party with 9 seats.
What was the trend for the KPD in 1928?
The KPD were on the rise again.
What economic changes occurred in Germany after 1923?
The introduction of a new currency and the Dawes Plan helped to turn Weimar’s economy around, leading to increased prosperity for Germans.
What financial support did America provide to Germany as part of the Dawes Plan?
America agreed to loan 800 million marks to Germany, although this would later cause problems.
How did the Dawes Plan affect Germany’s political stability?
Germany became more politically stable, with Germans voting for moderate parties that supported the Republic instead of extreme parties like the Nazis.
What was the public response to Nazi messages during the period of stability?
The Nazis’ messages about the dangers posed by Jews and the need to abolish democracy largely fell on deaf ears.
What happened to Hitler after the Munich Putsch?
Hitler was jailed and then banned from speaking in public until 1927, which prevented the Nazi Party from campaigning effectively.
What pressure did the Nazi Party face after the Munich Putsch?
The Nazi Party was under constant pressure from the Weimar authorities and was banned nationally or in certain parts of Germany several times.
How many coalition cabinets were there between November 1923 and March 1930?
There were 7 coalition cabinets between November 1923 and March 1930.
What made forming governments easier during this period?
It was easier due to a lack of extremist party support.
What was a major issue faced by the governments?
Governments couldn’t plan for the long term and had to muddle issue to issue.
What could destroy cabinets during this time?
Little issues, even something as minor as flags, could destroy cabinets.
What flag was adopted in 1919, and what was the issue with it?
A new flag was adopted in 1919, but anti-Weimar nationalist groups continued to use the old imperial flag.
Which two parties refused to work together?
The SPD and DNVP refused to work together.
What was the issue with moderate parties?
Moderate parties didn’t have enough seats to command a Reichstag majority.
What was the Grand Coalition of 1928?
The Grand Coalition of 1928 was formed by Müller’s SPD and offered some stability.
Why did the Grand Coalition survive?
It only survived because of the Müller-Stresemann relationship.
What were the disputes within the Grand Coalition?
There were disputes over foreign policy and the budget.
What was the German Communist Party (KPD) in relation to Russia?
The KPD was the largest communist party outside of Russia, but it never became a mass party.
In which areas did the KPD have support?
The KPD had support in important industrial and port areas such as the Ruhr, Saxony, Hamburg, and Berlin.
What dictated the policies and tactics of the KPD?
The policies and tactics of the KPD were dictated by the communist party of the Soviet Union as a member of Comitern.
What event led to KPD leadership being summoned to Moscow?
KPD leadership was summoned to Moscow during the height of the political and economic crisis caused by hyperinflation and the occupation of the Ruhr.
What were the orders 23 from Moscow ?
In ‘23, the order was to launch an uprising due to hyperinflation, which was suppressed by the army.
What were orders 24 from Moscow?
In ‘24, rather than revolt, it was suggested that the SPD had betrayed the working classes.
How did the KPD label the SPD?
The KPD started to label the SPD as ‘social fascists’.
What was the focus of the KPD’s attacks?
The KPD focused attacks on the SPD rather than the Nazis, dividing the Left against fascism.
Between 1924 and 28 what was the largest party in the Reichstag
and in the golden age how many governments were they in?
SPD Still largest Reichstag party between 1924-28
Only in 1 of 6 Golden Age govts.
What is meant by the fact that the SPD still held some Marxist rhetoric?
Still held on to some Marxist rhetoric (inflexible, struggled to compromise)
Why was the SPD not that successful in government?
Thrived in opposition, rather than in government
Support: Trade Unions and workers in industrial revolution
Limited appeal: youth, women, farmers, Mittelstand
Was liberal socialism declining in a liberal time?
Yes
Academics and professional groups (lack of political experience)
Internal disputes- difficulty in conveying a clear message of what it stood for.
Fractured within (mixed-messages)
In all Golden Age govts. Committed to the success of parliamentary democracy
What was the reason for the creation of the centre party?
Had been established to defined the interests of the Roman Catholic Church in the German Empire- this was its priority in the Weimar Republic. broad-based appeal due to religion
Flexible but divided over social/economics issues
In all Golden Age govts. No coalition was formed without the centre party.
In 1928 who was the centre parties new leader and what side of the political spectrum was he on?
1928: new leader Heinrich Brüning (conservative) replaced Wilhelm Marx (republican). (Drift to the Right)
What side of the political spectrum was the DVP?
Democratic but conservative
All Golden Age govts.
Academic supported but more from industrialists
1929: Stresemann’s death pushed the party to the Right, became a pressure group promoting big business
What was the outcome of the Munich Putsch?
The Nazi party entered a period of decline.
What happened after Hitler’s early release from prison?
He was not permitted to speak publicly until 1927, leading to reorganisation.
What was the membership of the Nazi party in December 1927?
Only 75,000 members and 7 Reichstag deputies.
What key decision did the Nazis make in 1928?
To broaden their appeal.
What was the result of the 1928 election for the Nazis?
They appealed to farmers and led to 18% of the vote, capitalising on farmers’ discontent.
How many votes did the Nazis lose overall in the 1928 election?
They lost 100,000 votes overall.
What was the membership of the Nazi party in October 1929?
150,000 members and their first town council, indicating signs of revival.
Negatives in German democracy
Reichstag deputies didn’t represent a particular constituency – more a designated area
Party committees controlled the deputies (they decided which area they were assigned to) and thus their behaviour
Reichstag debate was not close to what the voters wanted it to be
Factional rivalries threatened the survival of pro-democracy parties
Ministers in coalition cabinets were restricted by the controlling party committees (denying them individuality)
Party leaders prioritised party interests over Germany’s
When did Fredrick Ebert die and what was the result of this?
28th February 1925: Ebert dies aged 54
the next president had to be elected
by the people (Ebert, National Assembly)
What were the rules for the election of the new president?
Candidate had to get 50%+ of the vote or there
would be another round (where new candidates
could then run) - candidates would need a plurality
of the votes, rather than majority in the 2nd round
Who were the 5 presidential candidates?
Ernst Thälmann - KPD
Otto Braun - SPD
Wilhelm Marx - Centre
Karl Jarres -DVP & DNVP
Erich Ludendorf - NSDAP
In the first round of the presidential campaign who were the top two candidates?
1) Karl Jarres -DVP & DNVP
2) Otto Braun - SPD
But, they dropped out
Why did Jarres and Braun withdraw from the presidential election in the second round
Jarres withdrew in favour of Hindenburg (who
asked the ex-Kaiser’s permission before running)
SPD withdrew Braun as they knew Marx was more
likely to beat Hindenburg (encouraged voters to
back Marx)
The NSDAP didn’t try again
Who were the three main candidates in the 2nd round in the presidential election and who won ?
Ernst Thälmann -KPD
Wilhelm Marx -Centre
Paul von Hindenburg- DVP & DNVP
Hindenurg won with 48.3% majority
Who was hindenburg?
He appealed because it was thought he would unite the parties in the reichstag and he would not abuse the power of the weimar constitution
He was also 77 years old ( but didn’t look it) a glorified war hero, he was a military general under the Kaiser
Paved the way for some anti-democratic parties
(DNVP) to cooperate more and make parliamentary
democracy a success
In reality how was Hindenburg’s presidency?
Cooperation between parties was to achieve some form
of advantage
Hindenburg became annoyed and impatient – especially
during economic crises
Ruling by decree became almost routine
Hindenburg’s anti-democracy, pro-monarchy tendencies
started to show
Evidence suggests the collapse of democracy was not a
worry to him
After 1925, presidential power was in the hands of a
man who did not believe in democracy and was not
prepared to defend it against its enemies.
What was industrial workers views on the Weimar republic?
Republic had not
delivered
Politicians using army
and police as a weapon
against the people
Democracy was failing
What did some people believe hindenburg could be?
Ersatzkaiser
what was the middle stands attitude to the republic?
Support for moderate
parties vital for Weimar’s
success
Variations in wealth,
religion and political
ideology
Some supported
democracy
Others angry at
democracy due to
hyperinflation
Stability from
Stresemann and
Hindenburg helped
slightly
What was the elites attitude to the republic?
Believed the republic
was a traitorous
institution
Hindenburg’s election
helped ease hostility (but
only because they
thought he would return
Germany to
authoritarian rule)
.What were attitudes regarding Judaism historically?
From the 16th century there has been anti Jewish sentiment especially in eastern Europe and Russia stemming from the 14 points pinned by Marin Luther in Germany?.
What was the Volkisch movement ?
From 1808 and it was a combination of Christianity and Patriotism and a rejection of industrialisation and urbanisation, and evolved to include anti-Semitism.
changed ideas about Jews away from them simply being, ‘Christ killers’ and an alien religion to one of race.
How was the Versaii disarmament clause enforced?
It had been decided in the TOV that army was limited to 100,000 men No submarines or large battleships and no air force
Rhineland: fortifications dismantled and no troops there
To force Germany to comply the allied forces occupied the Rhineland
Inter-Allied Control Commission (IMCC)-commission established under TofV - It was staffed by German and French forces.
They checked if no new weapons were being created and that existing weapons were being destroyed
What kind of attitudes did German’s have towards Jews?
Anti-Semitism was ubiquitous and common sense
Obsessive preoccupation with Jews.
Jews identified with anything wrong with German society
Jews were central to causes of any ills in Germany. There could be no peace on earth until they were destroyed.
Cultural idea of the Jew moved to one of race and blood, instead of religion.
Anti-Semitism had violent imagery and tended towards violence.
Promoted the elimination of the Jews by any means.
What is an alternate view on attitudes that the German people had towards Jews?
vast majority of Germans saw violence against Jews as uncivilised
In WW1 how many Jews served in the German Army and how many were killed?
100,000 Jews served in the German army, 80% of them on the front line. 12,000 were killed and 18,000 were awarded the Iron Cross.
How many Jews become officers in Germany 1918?
3,000 Jews became officers but they were legally only to become reserve officers, not regular officers.
What was the Jewish Census and what did it show?
1916 the German High Command conducted the Judenzahlung (Jewish Census) to try and confirm rumours about a lack of patriotism amongst Jews. IT showed that Jews were serving in a higher proportion than others in the German army.
What was the Jewish Situation in Germany?
More than half a million living in Germany
80% (approx. 400,000) lived in cities and had a good education
Many identified more as German than Jewish
Extreme sense of patriotism
1% of the entire German population
What areas of society were jews successful in?
24% of the wealthiest men in Prussia were Jews, and Jews made up 8% of all university students.
16% of all lawyers were Jewish and 11% of all doctors.
ALL AREAS
POLITICS , PRESS< BUISNESS< BANKING
PROMINENT JEWISH FIGURES !
ALBERT EINSTEIN - Physicist
ARTHUR ROSENBURG - HISTORIAN/POLITITION
Hugo Stinnes, a major industrialist considered one of the most influential entrepreneurs in Europe
Jewish Bolhevism
Jewish Bolshevism= Jews and communists were closely associated and werea danger to German values
What is the status of Jews in German politics?
Well established within German politics.
Prominent in liberal parties as well as KPD and SPD. Rathenau, Haase, Luxembourg all from Jewish backgrounds.
What influence do Jews have in the media?
Powerful influence in the media.
Often promoted liberal political views.
What is the economic status of Jews in Germany?
Jews achieved considerable wealth - exaggerated.
Dominated Silesia industry.
What was the role of Jewish banking families in Germany?
Major Jewish banking families owned about 50% of private banks.
By 1920s, Jewish role was declining.
What percentage of Germany’s Nobel prizes were won by Jews?
24% of Germany’s Nobel prizes won by Jews.
Leader in Physics - Albert Einstein.
What parts of society did German Jews adopt?
Language
Dress
Lifestyle
Marriage
Religious conversion / denouncement
What were some driving forces behind anti-semitism?
Communism
Right Wing Nationalism
Hyperinflation
What was the barmat scandal?
was a political scandal in Germany in the 1920s that involved corruption, bribery, and war profiteering. The scandal was centered on the Barmat brothers, who were Jewish businessmen. The scandal was used by the right-wing to attack the Social Democratic Party and the Weimar Republic.
By 1930, the Jews had become fully assimilated into German society
”
FOR
Evidence for
-jews felt intensely patriotic
majority wanted to integrate into German society. They spoke German and followed trends
Jews fought in WW1
Directors of many of the new wave of films were Jewish
Many leading political roles and positions were held by Jews
By 1930, the Jews had become fully assimilated into German society
”
AGAINST
AGAINST
Jews accounted for only 1% pop
80% lived in cities – they were not fully integrated into rural life
MAny wanted to preserve unique identity
Came to dominate particular sectors such as the economy
MAny germans regarded Jews as alien and being involved in Communist plots
Anti semitsm become widespread after wall street crash as people resented the economic success of the Jews
What was considered the New woman?
Was a symbol of symbolised modernity and progress – the emancipation of women socially, economically and politically – while for others she represented the dangerous threat of transgression. and that men and women have the same fundamental rights and duties as citizens, including the right to vote and to hold office.
Who was clara zetkin
Social Democratic Party of Germany. a German Marxist theorist, communist activist, and advocate for women’s rights
Who was Marianne Weber
German sociologist and women’s rights activist She was married to Max Weber, a prominent sociologist
She was a leader in German women’s movements JOINed the DDP
What were the positives for employment for Women?
Constitution gave women Greater equality in employment
1925: 36% of workforce was female
1933: 100,000 female teachers, 3000 female doctors
What were the Negitives for employment for Women?
Women forced to leave jobs so ex-servicemen could have them, ‘demobilisation laws’.
Some women forced to give up work when married
Gender pay gap for doing the same work
Married working women dubbed ‘double-earners’ – blamed for male unemployment
What were some advances in sexual freedom for women in the weimar golden age?
Contraception widely available
Birth rate decreased
Divorce rate increased
Rise in abortions (1m a year by ‘30)
What were some drawbacks for sexual freedom for women in the weimar golden age?
Abortion was illegal (performed by unqualified-personnel). In 1930, there was an estimated 10-12,000 deaths each year from abortions
Decline in birth rate was attacked by conservative press and politicians ‘Birth strike’ attacked by the Right - existence of the race
The Church (both Catholic and Protestant) was anti-abortion
What were some advances for women in terms of politics and public life?
Women gained equal voting rights
Voting and Reichstag deputies
Reichstag had more female deputies than British House of Commons (41 in 1919)
Very active in local government
What were some drawbacks for women in terms of politics and public life?
None in Reichsrat
None in the Cabinet
No female party leaders
Only the communists pushed for gender equality in politics
Rare for parties with female voters (Centre, DNVP, DVP) to support feminist issues
What does breaking free refer to in the context of social revolution?
Breaking free refers to the constraints of family, school, and religion.
What was the educational path for working-class children who did not attend Gymnasium schools?
They left school at 14 and began employment or apprenticeship.
What was the unemployment rate for the 14-21 age group in 1925-26?
17% of the unemployed were in the 14-21 age group.
What demographic trend contributed to youth unemployment after 1924?
The baby boom from 1900-1910 led to too many youths and not enough jobs.
authord What role did day centres play for youths?
Day centres helped with skills development.
What was the rise in youth culture during this period?
There was a rise in gang membership, known as ‘youth cliques’.
What were Ringvereine?
Ringvereine were organizations that only allowed men to join, with membership candidates needing to be 21 or 24 years old.
What types of criminal activities were involved with youth gangs?
Involved activities included prostitution, extortion, illegal gambling, drug trafficking, receiving stolen goods, illegal labor brokerage, burglary, arms smuggling, currency counterfeiting, and sophisticated forms of begging.
What is the Wandervogel?
The Wandervogel, meaning ‘wandering birds’, was established in 1896 by a schoolteacher. It primarily consisted of middle-class boys, with some girls joining. They were non-political but nationalistic, holding a romanticised view of Germany’s past.
What activities did the Wandervogel engage in?
Their activities included hiking in forests, swimming in natural waters, and sleeping in the wild. They rejected middle-class social conventions and sought freedom in wild spaces.
What was the stance of the Wandervogel on industrialisation?
They held a negative view of industrialisation and big cities.
Did any members of the Wandervogel practice vegetarianism or nudism?
Yes, some members were vegetarian and a few practiced nudism.
What youth groups were associated with the Catholic Church?
The Catholic youth group was New Germany, founded in 1919, aimed at the middle-classes.
How did Protestant youth groups compare to Catholic ones?
Protestants did not prioritize youth groups, leading to lower membership numbers.
What was the focus of both Catholic and Protestant youth groups?
Both ensured the promotion of religious observance and instilled respect for the church, family, and school.
What was the Social Democratic Youth movement?
Founded in 1925, it had the highest membership of any political youth group during the Weimar period.
What was the Young Communist League?
Founded in 1925 for the children of KPD members.
What was the Bismarck Youth?
Founded in 1922 by the DNVP, it reached a membership of 42,000 by 1928, appealing to middle and upper-class youths in Protestant areas, as well as having a strong working-class following in Berlin.
What was the status of the Hitler Youth in the 1920s?
The Hitler Youth had slow growth in the 1920s, with only 13,000 members in 1929.
What was the painting style for Germany?
Expressionism - painting, music, or drama in which the artist or writer seeks to express the inner world of emotion rather than external reality.
started in Germany in the aftermath of World War One. It challenged its predecessor, Expressionism, which was a more idealistic and romantic movement.
LIKE VANN GOEFF
What was music like under the Weimar Republic?
Expressionism also influenced music especially classical composers.
Schoenberg attempted to convey powerful emotions through his music. He was associated with ‘atonal’ music, which lacks a key, and sounds harsh and lacking in harmony to traditionalists.
What was literature like under the Weimar Republic ?
Character’s mental state rather than external social reality
Revolt against parental authority was a common theme in literature
Thomas Mann – Nobel Prize for Literature in 1929
Presented a bleak look at the world and the failure of politics and society through literature
Also publications of Gay work like authors KLaus Mann
What was architecture like under the Weimar Republic?
Architectural school- break down barriers between art and technology
Steel, glass and concrete
Functionality over ornamentation
Architects during the Weimar Republic were influenced by the Bauhaus design college which promoted modern and future looking buildings
German for building house
Modern architecture
What was Theatre like under the Weimar republic?
Left-wing political messages
Unlikely characters became heroes
Brecht, Weill: The Threepenny Opera (1928)-left-wing satire that treated respectable middle classes as villains, while making heroes out of criminals and prostitutes. they were attacked by the right as ‘cultural bolsheviks’.
What was film like under the weimar republic?
Development of modern techniques- later exploited by Nazi propaganda
Fritz Lang, Billy Wilder- important figures of Jewish descent
Josef von Sternberg: The Blue Angel (1930)- Marlene Dietrich as lola. singer in a cabaret who seduces an innocent old professor.
explored much darker themes than Hollywood: crime, immorality, social decay and the destructive powers of money and technology.
What was night life like under the Wemar republic?
)Weimar cabaret became known for its colour, freedom and decadence. Cabaret performances often contained political ideas or undertones.
Gay men, lesbians and transvestites, who before 1918 were forced to conceal their sexuality, now felt free to display it openly
Jazz music was played by Black American musicians
Comedians attacked politicians and authoritarian attitudes
Many hated this new American influence - felt that German society was becoming morally degenerate
How were the German films Neferatu and METROPOLIS progressive?
M - Ambitious costed 5 million marks and wasn’t popular at box office
N- first film of a now-common genre: the vampire movie. It is ostensibly a retelling of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, though the characters’ names were changed.
What treaty established agreements with Russia?
Treaty of Rapallo
Which country was involved in building submarines?
Spain
Which country was involved in building tanks and artillery?
Sweden
What was built along the Polish frontier?
New fortifications (defensive wall)
What was the enlistment strategy for army recruits?
Enlisted for short periods to maintain well-trained reservists
What type of groups were sponsored as a potential military reserve?
Paramilitary groups (similar to Freikorps)
Who moved towards a military alliance with the USSR?
Seeckt
What was the aim of the military alliance with the USSR?
To restore Germany’s military might and aimed to destroy Poland
Which politicians were involved in the Rapallo and Berlin treaties with the USSR?
Rathenau and Stresemann
What was the politicians’ stance on military cooperation with the USSR?
They turned a blind eye to the extent of military cooperation
Tell me how the occupation of the Rhineland was ended by allied forces?
Done by 1930
French most reluctant to go (security and suspicious)
Step-by-step
Dawes and Locarno showed German willingness (Young reinforced this)
Rhineland Zone 1: 1926
IMCC withdrawn from Germany: 1926
Rhineland Z2: 1929
Rhineland Z3: 1930 (5 years before Versailles stated)
Give me a few facts about the USSR?
Officially established in 1922 (revolution in 1917) by leader Lenin.
A “Communist” state
Unofficial ideology of Marxist-Leninism
Rights of the individual subordinated to those of the state
Leaders: Vladimir Lenin (1917-1924), Joseph Stalin (1924-1953)
What were some similarities between Germany and Russia after WW1?
Defeat in WWI (humiliating peace treaties)
Independent Poland threatened security
Minorities of both in Poland
“Outcast” nations
Not allowed to join the League of Nations (Germany later would in 1926)
What was the treaty of Brest-Litovsk?
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk- russia had to give up ukraine, polish and baltic regions including finland
Revolutions in 1917 and 1918- although took different paths
What could some German motivations be for working with Russia?
What to deal with the Polish Problem
Wanted protection
Wanted stronger trade connections
What could some Russian motivation be for working with Germany?
Implementing communism in Germany
End of Isolation from global affairs
Who negotiated the treaty of Rapollo?
Resuming of trade and cooperation
Restoration of diplomatic relations
Outstanding claims for war damage compensation were dropped
Germany allowed to develop new weapons and train pilots in Russia
Krupp: soon after in south of USSR
German’s reaction to the Treaty Of Rapollo?
Germany
- Step away from post-war isolation
- Better rather than bitter relations with Russia
- New alliances in an age of rejection
- An ally in the anger over Poland
Far right - dislike
Slightly right leaning - ok
Soviet Union reaction to the Treaty Of Rapollo?
Soviet Union
- Greater acknowledgement of the new state
- Better relations with a well-established European nation
- An ally in the anger over Poland
The allies reaction to the Treaty Of Rapollo?
he Allies
- Believed Germany were trying to get around disarmament
- Believed Germany was refusing to accept the eastern frontier
- Worried German-Soviet relations would lead to the communisation of Germany
What was the Treaty of Berlin - April 1926?
Treaty: renewal of Rapallo, Treaty of Berlin
Germany would be neutral in a war involving the USSR (if the latter was not the aggressor)
Suggested Stresemann still desired a revision of the Eastern Frontier
Soviet Union crucial to any changes in Eastern Europe because the USSR would resist any border changes it did not agree with
What was the Kellogg - Briand pact?
To not use aggression (war) means of settling disputes. It was signed in 1928 by 95 countries including the United States, France, Germany. The pact was also known as the Pact of Paris because it was signed in that city.
Purpose To prevent another World War and To solve disputes peacefully.
Who was Kellogg and Briand?
United States Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg and French foreign minister Aristide Briand. The pact was concluded outside the League of Nations and remains in effect.
When was the Kellogg - Briand pact?
August 27, 1928
What were some suggested strengths and weaknesses of the kellogg - Briand pact?
Strengths - , another clause was a reduced armed forces and armament, which prevents war
Weakness - there was nobody to enforce it and the USA wasn’t in the league of Nations and they were a huge world power at the time
What did Germans agree on after 1919 regarding the Treaty of Versailles?
Germans agreed that the Treaty of Versailles was unjust and a dictated peace.
What was the stance of the Nationalistic Right towards the Treaty of Versailles?
The Nationalistic Right rejected the treaty, aimed to build up military strength, and sought to take back what belonged to them.
What was the foreign policy goal regarding the Treaty of Versailles?
The foreign policy was to revise the aims of the Treaty of Versailles.
What was Stresemann’s policy regarding reparations and occupation?
Stresemann implemented a policy of fulfilment, cooperating with the Allies on reparations and occupation.
What economic issue did Gustav address?
Gustav brought hyperinflation under control, ended passive resistance, and negotiated the Dawes Plan.
Which country did Stresemann focus on for good relations?
Stresemann focused on good relations with France.
What impact did the Treaty of Versailles have on German-speaking populations?
The Treaty placed millions of German-speaking people outside of the republic, including the separation of East Prussia and the Polish corridor.
What was a significant obstacle in securing revisions to the Treaty of Versailles?
French suspicion of Germany was the biggest obstacle to securing revisions.
What did Stresemann do to reassure France of Germany’s intentions?
Stresemann reassured France of Germany’s peaceful intentions, which was formalized in the Locarno Pact.
When was the first meeting for the Locarno pact?
October 1925
When was the Locarno pact signed ?
December 1st 1925
What were the two main parts of the Locarno pact?
The arbitration treaties
Rhineland pact
Who was originally resistant to attending the Locarno pact talks?
France
What were the terms of the Rhineland pact?
Germany, France and Belgium to respect the western frontier
Germany to keep troops out of the Rhineland
Britain and Italy to aid Germany, France or Belgium if any are attacked by neighbours
What were the Arbitration treaties?
Germany agreed with France, Belgium, Poland and Czechoslovakia that disputes between them should be settled by a conciliation committee
France signed treaties of ‘mutual guarantee’ with Poland and Czechoslovakia, ensuring Germany would not break the conciliation committee agreement
What were the positives and negatives of the Locarno pact?
Germany recognised Versailles-inflicted borders
No repeat of the Ruhr occupation
Allied withdrawal
Eastern borders not recognised
League of Nations permanent council member in 1926
What was agreed when it came to solving disputes regarding Germany and the Eastern countries like Poland and Czechoslovakia
It was also agreed that any conflict regarding the Western borders should be referred to the League of Nations. In addition, France would not be permitted to cross into Germany should there be any dispute between Germany, Poland or Czechoslovakia.
True or False
Germany had recognised the western border imposed at Versailles and accepted the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to France and Belgium.
True in the Locarno pact
What part of the Locarno pact made France feel more secure regarding it’s border with Germany?
For the French, there was a guarantee of support from the British should there ever be a German attack, while fpr the Germans it meant the 1923 occupation of the Ruhr could never be repeated.
French agreed to withdraw the forces occupying the Rhineland
Why an you say that stressmann had a secret nationalist agenda and why?
Through Arbitration Treaties with Poland and Czechoslovakia offered some guarantees, the eastern borders were not recognised in the same way. For Germany, this left open the possibility of further revision of the eastern borders at some stage in the future.
What led to Stressman winning the noble peace prize?
Stresemann regarded Locarno as his greatest achievement- led to the acceptance of Germany into the League of Nations and Stresemann won a nobel peace prize for his work.
What year was the policy of fulfillment?
1923
How many countries where in the kellogg brand pact?
62
What was the league of nations?
It was created in 1920 with the goal for World peace?
When did Germany join the league of nations?
Sep 1926 after signing the Locarno pact and the policy of fulfillment in December 1925
