Culture in Weimar Germany 1924-1929 Aim: To explain (B), or evaluate (A) what the cultural climate was like in Weimar Germany

Overview The Golden age of the Weimar Republic (1924-1929) saw many changes to the cultural life in Germany. There was a resurgence of creative flair that made Berlin the centre of art and culture of the world. Many new movements such as expressionism and modernism shaped the culture of the time and this is represented in, among other things, the architecture of the time. Aim: To explain (B), or evaluate (A) what the cultural climate was like in Weimar Germany

Art Significant changes in the world of art. Expressionists artwork, where the world and reality were interpreted by the artists. The use of new techniques to express feelings and emotions Otto Dix, famous modernists portraits, he sought to capture feeling by depicting his subjects with brutal honesty. Famous artists of the time: Paul Klee, Max Beckmann, Heinrich Zille and Geaorge Grosz who critisesed middle class conservatives. 1920’s Berlin replaced Paris as the world centre of modern art. Aim: To explain (B), or evaluate (A) what the cultural climate was like in Weimar Germany

Literature Flowering of brilliant literature, Thomas Mann won the The Nobel Prize for Literature in in 1929. Much of the literature was effected by the 1st world war, such as the famous Novel by Erich Maria Remarque, All Quite on the Western Front. Aim: To explain (B), or evaluate (A) what the cultural climate was like in Weimar Germany

Architecture New architectural designs brought on by the cultural and societal ideas especially modernism These new designs challenged the traditions of architecture In 1919 Walter Gropius founded the famous Bauhaus School for architecture. At this new school Gropius taught that art should work with the new technology and that there should be an emphasis on functional design in buildings. Aim: To explain (B), or evaluate (A) what the cultural climate was like in Weimar Germany

Theatre Provocative theatre and Cabaret flourished Many works had a satirical edge The playwright Erwin Piscator developed the Proletarian Theatre, which produced plays that challenged the values of the traditional middle class. Another famous playwright of the time was a Marxist called Bertolt Brecht who voiced his communist opinions in his works. Aim: To explain (B), or evaluate (A) what the cultural climate was like in Weimar Germany

Cinema Like in art Berlin became the world leader of Cinema. In fact Germany in the 1920’s produced more films than the rest of Europe put together. This period was the home to many brilliant directors, such as Fritz Lang, Joseph von Sternberg and Ernst Lubitsch. It produced ‘cinematic masterpieces’ such as Metropolis, The Cabinet of DR Caligari, Nosferatu and The Blue Angel. Aim: To explain (B), or evaluate (A) what the cultural climate was like in Weimar Germany

How did the Nazis change Weimar Culture? During the 1920’s After 1933 Why was this change made? Aim: To explain (B), or evaluate (A) what the cultural climate was like in Weimar Germany

Evaluation technique How far did the Nazis change the cultural climate of Germany? What can you tell about the Weimar Republic from it’s culture? Would the culture of Germany have appealed to - men? - women? Aim: To explain (B), or evaluate (A) what the cultural climate was like in Weimar Germany

Examination technique Why was culture important? (4) Why was cinema important? (4) Why was the theatre important? (4) How important was the closing of cabaret bars and nightlife, amongst other factors in helping the Nazis change the cultural climate of the Weimar Republic? (12) Aim: To explain (B), or evaluate (A) what the cultural climate was like in Weimar Germany

Source work What do these sources suggest about the culture of the Weimar Republic (4) How important are these sources in understanding the reasons why the Nazis changed the cultural climate of Weimar? (10) Use the sources and your own knowledge to answer this question Aim: To explain (B), or evaluate (A) what the cultural climate was like in Weimar Germany