Golden Age (1924-28) Flashcards
What percentage of the population did the Jews account for?
8%
How were the Jews important in the Politics and Press?
Well established world of politics and held influence in media
How were the Jews important in Industry, Commerce and Professional?
Achieved considerable wealth and influence in industry and commerce but was exaggerated by propaganda, owned 50% of private banks and held prominence in cloth industry
What was the role of Anti-Semitism?
Prominent part of violent nationalism behind Freikorps and NSDAP but it was pushed back in Golden Age, fierce opposition to influence with frequent accusation of corruption and exploitation by jews
What was the state of Reichstag?
Use of PR frequently led to coalitions, were unstable and were 7 over the period.
What were the four factors led to stale debates?
PR led to lack of constituency links, individually wasn’t allowed in coalitions, no flexibility and parties had vested interests
What were the developments in the SPD?
Largest party and well established, wouldn’t let go of Marxist rhetoric so were firmly favourable of unions and industrialists
What were the developments in the ZP?
Formed to help religious interest, appealed across all classes and occupations, present in every coalition and after 1928 Bruining shifted party to left
What were the developments in the DVP?
Conservative party was believer of democracy, support of academics, Stresseman was leading figure (stepdown caused shift to right), present in all coalitions
What were the developments in the DNVP?
In 1920’s largely supported by industrialist workers, rarely joined coalitions, lost support in 1928, regained support when Hugenburg took them to right, blindly opposed Republic
What were the developments in the Nazi Party?
As a result of Munich, putsch party saw a decline in support and underwent reorganisation until 1927 Hitler and Nazi Party were not able to publicly speak so Hitler established himself as leader, 1928 key decisions were made about party, 150000 members in 1929 and Hitler made moves to appeal to farmers
What were the developments in the KPD?
Majority support came from industrial and port areas, was dedicated to overthrowing republic, members of Comintern (took orders from USSR), 1923 after economic tried to overturn republic, after 1924 chances of revolution slimed so moved to attacking SPD and weakened anti-nazi party forces
What was the need for Dawes Plan?
Needed to stabilise economy and take Germany put off hyperinflation
Why couldn’t Germany collapse?
Fear of communism spreading across Europe
What was the Dawes plan?
5 nations aim was to restore economy so Germany could pay reparations long term, final figure was adjusted but payments were lowered until 1929
What happened as a result of Dawes plan?
Germany had Ruhr returned to them, reparations were restricted to benefits Germany and restructuring of National Bank took place and received large loans from the USA in order to pay loans
When did Hindenburg become president?
February 1925
What was he known and seen as?
Substitute Emporer and seen as step back
How did Hindenburg rule?
By presidential decree because became tired of parties vested interest
What did Weimar give rise too?
Gave rise to era of experimentation and innovation
Where were changes most prominent?
Cities
Who didn’t approve of change?
Conservative didn’t approve and regarded as immoral, decadent and non-German
Why was architecture important?
One of most innovative areas, influenced by Bauhaus movement, 3 key principles functionality, freedom and relations between art and technology
Why was film important?
Berlin was centre of global film, expressionism cheap production without lavish sets, become mass entertainment and symbol of new age, two new genres Film Noir and Gothic Horror
Why was literature important?
Writers were politically right wing, either anti-war or antidemocratic, writing was used to express political opinion, explosion in publishing created best seller lists
Why was art important?
Flourished and developed over period, new media college, expressionism was worked that showed emotion or political stance, key artists Grosz member of Neue Sachlickeit, art should comment on society, Nazi’s labelled period as degrative
Why was music important?
Jazz and cabinet became increasingly popular and gave freedom to those facing inequality, influenced Zeitopera which incorporated modern concept and traditional values, vibrant nightlife in 1920’s with LGBT community and comedians openly criticised values, classical musical also influence expressionism
What change happened in rural areas?
Areas didn’t see significant changes, church and family values still dominated and didn’t experience film and ratio
Attitudes of elites
Strongly hostile to parliamentary democracy and held view Republic was born out of betrayal of Fatherland, Hindenburg’s election gave some reconciliation
Attitudes of industrial
Felt republic failed to deliver on promises, revolt were indication of discontent
Attitudes of middle-class
Half supported political parties which were solid foundation and half welcomed stability but resented republic
What was the extent of disarmament?
100,000 troops but got around by enlisting and training in short spells and no artillery
How did Germany get around?
Agreement with other countries to secretly armoured and driven by army generals approved by politicians
When was Zone 1 of the end of allied occupation?
1926, after proved willingness through Young and Dawes plan
When was Zone 2 of the end of allied occupation?
1929
When was Zone 3 of the end of allied occupation?
1930
What were both USSR and Germany have in common?
Both countries, ‘outcasts’ and suffered punitive peace treaties
Who negotiated Treaty of Rapallo?
Walter Rathenau
What did Treaty of Rapallo state?
Resumed trade, diplomatic relations restored, outstanding compensation claims dropped and Germany able to rearm
When was Treaty of Rapallo?
1922
What was the only change made to Rapallo in the Treaty of Berlin?
Germany remained neutral if USSR engaged in warfare unless was aggressor
When was the Treaty of Berlin?
1926
Why was a relationship with the USSR important?
Key in reestablishing eastern borders because USSR would accept changes didn’t agree with
How long was Stresemann chancellor for?
3 months in 1923
What was Stresemann’s personality?
Strong, pragmatic and persuasive diplomat
What was the policy of fulfilment?
Comply with terms in terms of treaty in order to get a reduction
What did the policy of fulfilment show?
Willingness to comply and lessened suspicion from foreign powers
How did nationalists feel about the policy of fulfilment?
Were not happy
What route did Stresemann take to get change?
Followed route of negotiation and comprise and was aware recovery depended on moderation and maintaining good relations
When was the Locarno Pact?
October 1925 western powers met and Stressman was keen not to force British and French alliance
What is the Locarno Pact formed of?
Rhineland Pact and Arbitration Treaties
What did the Arbitration Treaty state?
Conflicts settled diplomatically and France signed ‘mutual guarantee’ to protect neighbours
What did the Rhineland Pact state?
Respect for western frontier, Germany kept troops out and Britain and Italy promised aid if other countries were attacked
What did Strassmann leave out of the Locarno Pact?
Eastern borders
When did Germany join the League of Nations?
1926
What reform happened in 1924?
Public assistance system provided help for destitute
What reform happened in 1925?
State accident insurance system helped those injured at work
What reform happened in 1927?
National unemployment insurance system benfits for unemployed
What was issues with national unemployment insurance system?
Provided less than delivered and those on system were humiliated
How were unions benefiting?
Enabled supporting of wage rises
Who were the losers of economic recovery?
Lost savings were unable to regain comfortable positions, farmers lost lively hoods and those on welfare were less well off
What was expected of working class children who didn’t get into Gymnasium school?
Supposed to get an apprenticeships or jobs
What made youth unemployment so high?
Cuts and baby boom
What was prevalent in youth?
Gangs because comradeship and lack of adventure
What was a Gymnasium school?
Strict schools that channelled into uni
What is a Realschule?
Providing training for apprenticeships
What occurred as a result of Gymnasium?
A divide between class and religion
What was the Wandervogel?
Established in 1846, non-political but nationalistic and spend most of time outdoors
What was significants of Church Youth Group?
Both Protestant and Catholics promoted religious observation
What is an example of political youth group?
Hitler youth grew in 1930’s
What had changed for woman?
Became free, independent, sexually liberated and visible
What had women gained?
Equal voting rights, equality in education and equality in employment
Why did the new women happen?
Many men died during war meaning that girls couldn’t follow traditional path
Who was opposed to the ‘new women’?
Church and conservatives
What was the most popular women’s group and what did it support?
BDF was most popular and supported traditional views
Why did constitutional changes not do much for women?
Traditional civil code of 1896 remained in place
What were the 3 changes implemented by Stresemann as chancellor?
Ending passive resistance, new currency and balancing budget
Describe ending passive resistance
Move to kerb inflation because government couldn’t afford to pay wages, move angered nationalists and caused Beer Hall Putsch
Describe new currency
Rentnemark introduced as replacement to previously inflated currency, kept under tight control to prevent hyperinflation
Describe balancing budget
Done through cutting spending and raising taxes, meant many weak businesses went bankrupt
What happened after Stresemann’s measures?
Confidence in government restored
When was the Young Plan?
1929
What did Young Plan do?
Move to consolidate reparations plan, obliged to pay reparations till 1988 but amount was significantly reduced and annual payments were increased
How did nationalist feel?
Unhappy because had something to do with armistice and launched nationwide campaign
What happened to industry?
Appeared more stable and stimulated by American loans with close to zero inflation rates and wages rising
What happened to farmers?
Gained little benefit from recovery, many lost lands and despite government, intervention plight was worsening and many peasant farmers were wiped out
What happened to the Middlestand?
Gained little, many were bankrupt and wages didn’t rise like Blue Collar workers
