Junkers & Peasants Flashcards
What was a key characteristic of the German artisan tradition?
Family-owned businesses that prided themselves on skilled labour and hand-crafted goods
These businesses were often hundreds of years old and organized into guilds.
How did industrialisation impact the artisan tradition in Germany?
Undermined the tradition by introducing mechanised factories that produced cheaper goods
Artisan businesses, particularly in dyes and weaving, faced severe decline.
What was the decline percentage of one-man artisan businesses from 1882 to 1895?
13.5 percent
Further decline occurred from 1897 to 1907.
What symbol did artisans represent for many Germans during rapid change?
A powerful symbol of historical continuity
They were seen as a living link to traditional craftsmanship.
What adaptations allowed some artisans to survive in industrialised Germany by 1900?
New methods and better tools
These adaptations helped them cope with increasing competition.
What feelings did artisans experience due to rapid changes after 1871?
Anger and challenge against political elites and the power of Socialists and trade unionism
They lacked specific political parties to represent their views.
What protectionist measures did the government introduce in 1897?
Protectionist craft laws
These laws were intended to gain the support of the artisans.
Why did many artisans embrace radical political parties?
Fear of modernisation and accelerating industrialisation
This led them to reject Germany’s social direction.
Who provided the first solid basis of support for the Nazi Party in the early 1920s?
Skilled craftsmen, shopkeepers, and small business owners
Their support stemmed from the Nazis’ anti-Communist stance and policies favoring small traders.
What percentage of Nazi Party members in the 1920s were skilled workers?
33 percent
This was despite them making up only 27 percent of German society.
What did the original Nazi programme (Twenty-Five Points) include for small traders?
Policies meant to assist small traders
This included giving small traders cheaper lease rates on premises.
Fill in the blank: The artisan tradition in Germany was often organized into _______.
[guilds]
True or False: The artisan tradition completely disappeared after industrialisation.
False
Although reduced, the artisan tradition was able to survive.
What was one major consequence of the rise of consumerism for artisans?
Threatened their positions due to the construction of large shops
This contributed to their feelings of insecurity.
What did the Nazi Party promise to protect in Weimar Germany?
The artisan tradition
Artisans were attracted to the Nazi Party due to promises of protection for their trades.
What measures did the Nazis introduce to help Germany’s artisans after 1933?
Several measures including:
* Crushing trade unions
* Restricting department stores
* Protecting skilled artisans from competition
* Requiring official permission for new artisan shops
* Mandatory Master’s Examination for new artisans
These measures aimed to maintain high skill levels and protect artisan trades.
What was the impact on artisan businesses from 1931 to 1936?
The number of artisan businesses rose by one-fifth
This growth occurred despite the Nazis prioritizing big industry over artisan interests.
What happened to the number of artisan businesses from 1936 to 1939?
The number of artisan businesses began to decline, decreasing by 11 percent
This decline coincided with the growth of department stores, which increased their turnover by ten percent.
How did the Nazis view artisan trades as the war approached?
They declared that artisan trades such as bakers, butchers, shoemakers, and tailors were too numerous and began to close shops deemed not economically justified
This was part of a broader strategy to prioritize larger businesses.
What strategies did surviving artisans employ during the war?
They formed co-operatives with other small businesses and used slave labor, particularly Jewish prisoners
This allowed them to pool resources and share costs.
What role did artisans play in West Germany’s economic growth post-World War II?
Artisans were given special status and played a key role in organizing and overseeing training of skilled workers
This ensured their importance in the highly industrialized economy.
By 1955, how many Germans were employed in artisan trades?
Over 3.5 million
This represented a growth of one million since 1939.
What types of crafts were artisans in West Germany primarily linked to?
Skilled metalworking and fewer in clothing or textiles
This reflects the industrial focus of the economy.
What was a unique aspect of the West German economy regarding artisans?
Cooperation between big industry and smaller skilled trades
This combination helped build a reputation for West German exports.
True or False: The artisan tradition lost its importance in the West German economy from 1945 to 1990.
False
The artisan tradition maintained a very important place in the economy.
Who were the Prussian land owning elite?
The Junkers
The Junkers were a hereditary aristocracy in Prussia, known for their political power and dominance in society.
What role did the Junkers play in the Prussian government?
They were leaders of the government and army that unified Germany
The Junkers maintained dominant positions in social, political, and administrative elements of the new nation.
How did the constitution affect the power of the Prussian elite?
It allowed the Prussian elite to veto constitutional changes
The chancellor, appointed from the Prussian elite, did not have to consult with parliament.
What was the voting system in the Prussian parliament?
An unequal voting system that ensured Junker majority
This system allowed the Junkers to maintain control over military and bureaucracy.
What does the term ‘Junker’ translate to?
‘Young nobleman’
The term is associated with the Prussian nobility and their social status.
How did the Junkers acquire their massive agricultural estates?
Through government protection
This led to the peasantry working under repressive conditions.
What was the social structure in Prussia during the Junkers’ dominance?
A two-tiered class system
The wealthy Junkers ruled over the majority peasantry.
Who was Otto von Bismarck?
The leading Prussian minister who united Germany
Bismarck’s actions solidified Junker power in the newly unified nation.
What was the significance of the House of Hohenzollern?
It was the ruling royal family of Prussia
The Junkers held privileged positions under this royal family.
Until when did the Junkers play a critical role in German politics?
Up to the end of the Second World War
Despite gradual changes, their influence persisted for decades.
What economic changes undermined Junker control?
Industrialisation and urbanisation
These changes diminished reliance on agricultural production.
What was the primary economic basis of the Junkers’ power in Germany?
An agrarian-based economy
The Junkers relied on peasantry working on their land for economic support.
What two key aspects undermined Junker power after 1871?
- Decline of the peasantry
- Changing political habits of the peasantry
How did rapid urbanization affect the peasantry’s political organization?
It disrupted their traditional way of life, leading them to pursue their own political organization.
Which two parties formed an alliance to maintain parliamentary majority?
Conservative Junker-based party and National Liberals
What did the alliance between the Junkers and industrialists aim to achieve?
To maintain dominance and lessen the possibility of political change.
What was the outcome of the coalition between traditional Conservatives and National Liberals?
Contributed to the slow decline of the land-owning elite.
What challenge did the Junkers face regarding the federalized structure of Germany?
Political dominance was challenged by other states, particularly Baden and Bavaria.
What is the definition of federalism?
A type of government where power is shared between a central government and political units.
What powers were controlled by the central government and the states in Germany’s federal system?
- Central government: foreign policy
- States: education
By the early 20th century, what was the key political issue in Germany?
The power of the Junkers.
What significant political event occurred after the 1908 state election in Prussia?
Riots occurred due to the SPD’s limited representation despite a significant share of the vote.
What was the outcome for the SPD in the 1912 election?
Became the largest party in the Reichstag with over four million votes and 110 seats.
What was the SPD’s approach to political change during this period?
Pursued gradual political change within the existing political framework.
What state of political affairs did Germany reach by the time of the First World War?
A point of political standstill.
Who continued to hold dominant positions within the military and government before WWI?
Members of the Prussian landowning elite.
True or False: The SPD aimed to appear revolutionary during this period.
False
What reform of the Prussian constitution was called for by Barth?
A reform of the Prussian constitution was called for by Barth in 1900
This was part of an ongoing effort to address issues of governance in Prussia.
What was the outcome of Barth’s reform proposals in the Landtag?
Barth’s reform proposals were promptly defeated but reintroduced annually
This focused public attention on the constitutional issues.
What significant political change occurred in Wurttemberg in 1905-1906?
Wurttemberg decided to elect all members of its lower house on the basis of universal suffrage
This marked a shift towards democratization in South German states.
In what year did Socialists participate in Prussian elections for the first time?
The Socialists participated in Prussian elections for the first time in 1900
Their participation highlighted the disparities in electoral representation.
How many seats did Socialists obtain in the local elections of 1908?
The Socialists obtained seven seats with twenty-three percent of the poll in 1908
This was despite their significant share of the vote.
What was the number of seats held by Conservatives in the same 1908 elections?
Conservatives held 212 seats with sixteen percent of the poll in 1908
This illustrated the inequities in the electoral system.
What type of demonstrations occurred in Prussian cities?
There were working class demonstrations in Prussian cities
These ended in clashes with the police, prompting the emperor to agree to constitutional changes.
What was the outcome of the emperor’s agreement to constitutional changes?
Nothing came of the emperor’s agreement to constitutional changes
This reflects the challenges of implementing reforms in the political climate.
What was the situation in Germany by August 1918?
It was clear that Germany was losing the war
This led to increasing political and social opposition.
What actions were taken by the public in response to the war by September 1918?
There were mass demonstrations and strikes in the streets of Germany
These actions indicated widespread discontent with the war.
Who was the Prussian military leader mentioned in the context of the war in September 1918?
Lieutenant General Erich Ludendorff
His leadership was significant during the final stages of the war.
What reform of the Prussian constitution was called for by Barth?
A reform of the Prussian constitution was called for by Barth in 1900
This was part of an ongoing effort to address issues of governance in Prussia.
What was the outcome of Barth’s reform proposals in the Landtag?
Barth’s reform proposals were promptly defeated but reintroduced annually
This focused public attention on the constitutional issues.
What significant political change occurred in Wurttemberg in 1905-1906?
Wurttemberg decided to elect all members of its lower house on the basis of universal suffrage
This marked a shift towards democratization in South German states.
In what year did Socialists participate in Prussian elections for the first time?
The Socialists participated in Prussian elections for the first time in 1900
Their participation highlighted the disparities in electoral representation.
How many seats did Socialists obtain in the local elections of 1908?
The Socialists obtained seven seats with twenty-three percent of the poll in 1908
This was despite their significant share of the vote.
What was the number of seats held by Conservatives in the same 1908 elections?
Conservatives held 212 seats with sixteen percent of the poll in 1908
This illustrated the inequities in the electoral system.
What type of demonstrations occurred in Prussian cities?
There were working class demonstrations in Prussian cities
These ended in clashes with the police, prompting the emperor to agree to constitutional changes.
What was the outcome of the emperor’s agreement to constitutional changes?
Nothing came of the emperor’s agreement to constitutional changes
This reflects the challenges of implementing reforms in the political climate.
What was the situation in Germany by August 1918?
It was clear that Germany was losing the war
This led to increasing political and social opposition.
What actions were taken by the public in response to the war by September 1918?
There were mass demonstrations and strikes in the streets of Germany
These actions indicated widespread discontent with the war.
Who was the Prussian military leader mentioned in the context of the war in September 1918?
Lieutenant General Erich Ludendorff
His leadership was significant during the final stages of the war.
Who recommended that Germany approach President Wilson for an immediate truce?
General Paul von Hindenburg
Hindenburg was the Chief of General Staff during World War I.
What type of government did General Ludendorff recommend for Germany?
Parliamentary democracy
This was suggested to align with President Wilson’s vision for lasting peace.
What significant political reforms were pushed through on 28 October?
Abolition of the Prussian elite’s dominance in military and government
This reform was initiated by Chancellor Prince Max of Baden.
What event forced the Kaiser to abdicate on 9 November?
Revolution swept through Germany
What was established after the abdication of the Kaiser?
The first civilian government in Germany under the SPD
SPD stands for Social Democratic Party of Germany.
What was the Ebert-Groener Pact?
An agreement for military support in exchange for maintaining military leadership
Ebert was the leader of the SPD and Groener was Ludendorff’s successor.
Who were some key military leaders still holding power in the Weimar Republic?
- Hans von Seeckt
- Franz von Papen
- Paul von Hindenburg
What was the Kapp Putsch?
A right-wing coup attempt in 1920 that was defeated by workers’ resistance
Seeckt refused to fire on the coup, demonstrating military loyalty to the Junkers.
What was the outcome of political scheming by Papen and Hindenburg?
The appointment of Adolf Hitler as Chancellor in 1933
What major event occurred on 30 June 1934?
Hitler crushed the Nazi SA
This action gained him support from the military leadership.
What happened to Junker power after Hindenburg’s death in 1934?
It considerably declined with Hitler assuming control of the army
What was the outcome of the July 1944 assassination attempt on Hitler?
Failure of the plot led to the execution of around 5,000 people
This event marked the final destruction of Junker power in Germany.
How did the end of World War II affect the Junker class in Germany?
They were forced to give up their properties and land holdings were redistributed
Many Junker lands in East Germany became part of Poland.
What happened to large Junker land holdings in Communist East Germany?
They were split up into smaller farms and run by the state
By what year had the power of the Prussian land owning elite finally come to an end?
1952
What was the percentage of agriculture in the German national product in 1900?
30 percent
What was the percentage of agriculture in the German national product in 1989?
barely two percent
What class relied on its massive farm holdings for wealth during the Kaiserreich?
Junker class
What did Junker pressure lead Bismarck to introduce in 1879?
protective tariffs
What was the purpose of the protective tariffs introduced in 1879?
to stop the import of cheaper grain from Russia and the United States
What organization was formed in 1893 to protect agricultural tariffs?
Agrarian League
What major event during the First World War affected Germany’s agricultural production?
loss of workers
What was prioritized for the war effort that affected agriculture?
fertiliser and fuel
What agricultural challenge did Germany face in the 1920s?
growing competition from world markets
What economic event began in 1929 that exacerbated the agricultural crisis in Germany?
worldwide economic depression
How did the Nazis view rural Germany?
as the real heart of German tradition and culture
What year did the Nazis introduce laws to protect farms from forced sales?
1933
What was the impact of the Second World War on German farms?
increased pressure to raise production
What happened to the agricultural workforce between 1950 and 1960 in West Germany?
lost 50 percent of its workers
What led to greater efficiency in the West German agricultural sector post-1945?
better farming practices and mechanisation
What was the trend in the importance of agriculture in the German national product during the 1970s?
further reduction in importance
Fill in the blank: The agricultural population in West Germany continued to decline due to economic opportunities in the _______.
industrial growth
True or False: The Nazi Party was able to stop the decline of the peasantry.
False
What was the percentage of agriculture in the German national product in 1900?
30 percent
What was the percentage of agriculture in the German national product in 1989?
barely two percent
What class relied on its massive farm holdings for wealth during the Kaiserreich?
Junker class
What did Junker pressure lead Bismarck to introduce in 1879?
protective tariffs
What was the purpose of the protective tariffs introduced in 1879?
to stop the import of cheaper grain from Russia and the United States
What organization was formed in 1893 to protect agricultural tariffs?
Agrarian League
What major event during the First World War affected Germany’s agricultural production?
loss of workers
What was prioritized for the war effort that affected agriculture?
fertiliser and fuel
What agricultural challenge did Germany face in the 1920s?
growing competition from world markets
What economic event began in 1929 that exacerbated the agricultural crisis in Germany?
worldwide economic depression
How did the Nazis view rural Germany?
as the real heart of German tradition and culture
What year did the Nazis introduce laws to protect farms from forced sales?
1933
What was the impact of the Second World War on German farms?
increased pressure to raise production
What happened to the agricultural workforce between 1950 and 1960 in West Germany?
lost 50 percent of its workers
What led to greater efficiency in the West German agricultural sector post-1945?
better farming practices and mechanisation
What was the trend in the importance of agriculture in the German national product during the 1970s?
further reduction in importance
Fill in the blank: The agricultural population in West Germany continued to decline due to economic opportunities in the _______.
industrial growth
True or False: The Nazi Party was able to stop the decline of the peasantry.
False
