Weimar Germany - Culture Flashcards
In what ways did Weimar Culture reach out to ordinary people
radio
mass culture
film
cabaret
What was the radio used as
a medium for mass communication
How many Germans owned a radio by 1932
despite the depression, 1 in 4 people
What emerged in Weimar Germany, and what was this?
a mainstream culture, which spread via different methods of mass media
What were the international influences on Weimar culture
consumer culture (consumerism)
advertising
jazz music from the USA
What happened to the film industry
Became most advanced in Europe
German filmmakers - highly respected for high quality work
What was the UFA
- government organised film company
- made up of the biggest film studios which dominated the German film market
Who ran the UFA
Alfred Hugenberg
Name 3 examples of films in Weimar Germany
Metropolis, 1926
Gold Rush, 1925
Blue Angel, 1930
Where did clubs open
In cities which mocked the conventions of Germany
e.g Berlin had a vibrant night-life
What happened in Cabaret clubs
satirical comedy
jazz music
female dancers
What themes were covered in Cabaret performances
Since censorship was lifted following WW1, they showcased social themes (e.g sex) & political developments at the time
What cultural developments took place in Weimar Germany
Art
Architecture & design
Theatre
Literature
What artistic movement developed in Weimar Germany
‘New objectivity movement’
What did the artists aim to do in their work in the ‘New objectivity movement’
to understand ordinary people in everyday life
Name 2 famous artists in Weimar Germany
Georg Grosz
Ottox Dix
What messages were focused on in the ‘New objectivity movement’
the state of society via paintings & caricatures with strong political & social messages
What architectural movement was developed in Weimar Germany
The ‘Bauhaus design’ movement
Who led the ‘Bauhaus design’ movement
Walter Gropius
What was the approach of the ‘Bauhaus design’ movement
functional & simple designs, emphasised close relations between art & technology
What theatre movement developed in Weimar Germany
‘new objectivity’ - ‘Zei theatre’ meaning theatre of the time
Name 2 playwrights in Weimar Germany
Bertroit Brecht
Erwin Piscator
What techniques were used in theatre in Weimar Germany
innovative techniques
such as barriers, slogans & film
which introduced protest & politics into theatre
What was the Threpenny Opera, 1928
A musical influenced by jazz music, which criticised the musical world
What 2 different writing styles were present in literature in Weimar Germany
Traditional, nostalgic literature (very popular)
also
Social issues were explored (emerged from distress & misery)
Name a famous war time book
All quiet on the western front, 1928, written by Erich Maria
Where were cultural movements largely based
cities
What did the majority of Germans, especially male govt members, and rural citizens, think about the cultural developments of the Weimar period
horrified by the decline in established moral & cultural standards
What did the freedom of expression in Weimar Germany encourage people to do
- Allowed different ideas to flourish
- Allowed criticisms of both cultural developments & the government
- The expressing of views
What did the right-wing sympathisers criticise about new Weimar culture
- the increase in Jewish workers, intellectuals & artists
- the americanisation of German culture (‘new women’ & jazz music)
- more artists involved with left wing ideologies
What happened to Weimar society in the years before 1929
Became increasingly polarised before the onset of the political & economic crises from 1929
