The artisan tradition and its impact

Question 1

Kaiserreich era impact- good and bad

Answer 1

Negative

• Rapid industrialisation negatively affected their trade because factories could mass produce goods much more cheaply
• some artisan industries such as dyeing and weaving closed completely
• from 1882-85 one man artisan industries decline 14% and suffered further decline up until 1907
• they felt under-represented in society due to being overshadowed by the growth of the working class; they didnt have a specific party which represented their views and so they often turned to more extremist parties

Positive- some benefited from the industrialisation because access to new machinery and methods made them more competitive and efficient

Question 2

Weimar Impact good and bad

Answer 2

Good- they representation in society was improved as a result of turning to the extremism of the Nazis

• the Nazis were anti communist and in their 25 point plan manifesto they made a number of references and policies aimed at supporting small traders
• it also said that larger businesses could be shut down and their premises given to smaller traders at a lower rate
• Artisans were given more state support
• skilled workers made up 33% of the Nazi party membership but accounted for only a quarter of the population

Question 3

Nazi Germany good and bad

Answer 3

Good-short term

• Hitler supported the mittelstand from 1933 to thank them for their continued support, with trade unions being banned and large department stores being stopped from expanding their services to include those undertaken by artisans eg butchers and shoe repairing
• from 1931-36 artisan businesses rose by 20% as many were involved in the making of Nazi boots

Bad-long term

• after 1935 artisan businesses fell in importance in comparison to heavy industry owing to the movement towards the war effort by Hitler
• their businesses fell 11% from 1936-39 and department store turnover increased 10% due to employing 90,000 workers
• by the end of the 1930s the Nazis began to restrict artisan business because there was deemed to be too many, with many being closed if they became economically unviable

Question 4

West germany good and bad

Answer 4

Good-

• following the marshall plan and the recovery of the economy, artisans were given special status which meant they could oversee the training and organisation of skilled workers
• by 1955, 3.5 million were employed in artisan industries, a 1 million increase from 1939
• many focused on trade that supported big industry such as skilled metal working rather than stuff like textiles, increasing their prosperity
• the co operatives created during the war (due to the decline in nazi support) expanded and meant even small businesses could enjoy in the prosperity of the west
• they was increased co-operation between the big industries and artisans which helped to build a strong reputation for west German exports

Question 5

Conclusion

Answer 5

The artisans began by being largely under-represented under Bismarck and adversely affected by the industrial revolution. However under the Nazis from weimar through until 1935 they saw increased representation and support for their business, which was only overshadowed by the war effort and drive towards heavy industry, which was the same for almost any industry. after the war they played an important role in society through helping to rebuild Germany and increase the value of their exports, meaning they largely enjoyed in the prosperity of the west and had improved lives over the period