Weimar Germany - Ethnic Minorities Flashcards
Evidence that Ethnic minorities were equal & integrated into Weimar Society in 1925
-languages
-In 1925, there were 500,000 people in Germany who spoke both German & Polish
Evidence that Ethnic minorities were equal & integrated into Weimar Society in 1925
-music
- There was a significant demand for black musicians & singers in jazz clubs
- they would often earn 4 times as much in Germany than in America, having more freedom & higher status
Evidence that gypsies were unequal & segregated in Weimar Society between 1918-32
-legislation
- Despite Article 113, Bavaria passed a series of laws to control the movement of gypsies in 1926 & 27,
- forcing their children into schools & adults into work, forcing them to carry identity cards
Evidence that gypsies were unequal & segregated in Weimar Society between 1918-32
-attitude in economy
It was thought they didn’t contribute to the economy by not paying taxes or working
Evidence that Black minorities were unequal & segregated in Weimar Society between 1918-32
Aid
Former colonies had no right to state aid in times of crisis
or the right to vote,
with land often being taken from them.
Evidence that Black minorities were unequal & segregated in Weimar Society between 1918-32
Literature
- They were viewed as racially inferior, as German literature reinforced this,
- for example George Bucher’s Westfront, celebrated the merciless killing of black soldiers in Africa by German soldiers.
Evidence that Black minorities were unequal & segregated in Weimar Society from 1923
-discrimination
- After 1923, black people faced rising hostility
- From 1923, approximately 500 mixed race children were born and were denounced as “Germany’s shame’’
- The Nazis banned performances by black artists
Evidence that Black minorities were unequal & segregated in Weimar Society from 1923
-war
- Black units from French colonies were mobilised and in Germany during the occupation of the Ruhr
- The German press alleged that the French had deliberately sent black troops to occupy the Rhineland to humiliate the ‘superior white nation’
Evidence that Polish minorities were unequal & segregated in Weimar Society between 1918-32
- There was significant hostility towards Poles because they had fought Germany in the war
- Between 1925 and 1933, 30,000 Poles left the country
Why in particular was there discrimination against Polish minorities following WW1
After World War One, the border between Poland and Germany was redrawn, leaving people from each group on the wrong side of the border
Evidence that Jews were equal & integrated into Weimar Society between 1918-32
Positions in society - marriage
In 1915, approximately one-third of all married Jews were married to non-Jews
Evidence that Jews were equal & integrated into Weimar Society between 1918-32
Positions in society - war
85,000 Jewish soldiers had fought for the German army in World War One, and 12,000 had died.
What was a consequnce of Walter Rathenau’s assassination regarding policy
The government banned many anti-semitic organisations following Walter Rathenau’s Assassination
Evidence that Jews were equal & integrated into Weimar Society between 1918-32
Jobs - cabinet
Five Jews held cabinet to posts in the Weimar Republic, including Walter Rathenau who became foreign minister in 1922.
Evidence that Jews were equal & integrated into Weimar Society between 1918-32
Professional Jobs
- Between 1918 and 1932, 75% of Jewish men had professional jobs such as a doctor or lawyer.
- This compared with 25% of the rest of the population.
Evidence that Jews were equal & integrated into Weimar Society between 1918-32
Jobs - businesses
Almost 80% of department store business was conducted by Jewish-run business.
Evidence that Jews were unequal & segregated into Weimar Society during the Depression - discrimination
- The economic status of Jews declined in the 1920s, as many were hit by hyperinflation, and then the depression,
- which led to an increase in discrimination as Jews (along with communists and the government) were blamed for the collapse of the economy and society’s hardships.
What was set up to fight the rise in anti-semitism during the Depression
Jewish organisations, such as the Reich Federation of Jewish Front Soldiers
Evidence that Jews were unequal & segregated into Weimar Society between 1918-32
Politics
- During the years of the Great Depression, more and more people began to support extreme right and left wing parties.
- Many of which were extremely anti-Semitic.
- Many members of the judiciary made anti-semitic remarks in their judgements
Give evidence of statistsics, that between 1928 and 1932, support for anti-semitic parties rose
May 1928: the Nazis received 2.6% of votes
July 1932: the Nazis received 37.4% of votes
Evidence that Jews were unequal & segregated into Weimar Society between 1918-32
Organisations
- The German Peoples Offensive and Defensive Alliance was an aggressive, anti-Semitic organisation
- They believed the Jews had conspired with the Allies and had lost Germany the war
The German Peoples Offensive and Defensive Alliance membership rose from…………… to ……………between 1919 and 1923
from 25,000 to 170,000
Evidence that Jews were unequal & segregated into Weimar Society between 1918-32
The Protestant Church
The Protestant Church argued that Jews were fundamentally selfish, putting their personal wealth ahead of the German nation.
Evidence that Jews were unequal & segregated in Weimar Society between 1918-32
Pamphlets
- Stereotypes of Jewish people were used in pamphlets to stress the danger that Jews presented to Germany.
- Polack was an offensive term used to describe Jews who had arrived to Germany from Eastern Europe
- Other Jews were seen as radical communists
