- It would be hard to truly assess the impact of a democratic state without assessing the impact it had on its people for a state is nothing without its citizens. This is exemplified as Walther Rathenau states " We now have a republic but no republicans".
Women in Weimar
- Perhaps one of the groups who benefited most under Weimar Germany were its women. They were afforded a new degree of freedom that was unprecedented, contesting traditional gender roles in a fashion more progressive than even some of the most liberal societies
Facts to prove point:
1. As of 1919 when the Weimar republic came into existence, women were afforded suffrage. It was a result greatly desired by women union's under the kaiser and when it came so easily it was almost an anti-climax.
2. Germany had lost 10% of its population during WWI and most casualties were men. There was a great imbalance as women now outnumbered the men by roughly 2 million people. Hence, women started to occupy more roles in the economy and by 1926, 27.1% of the white collar workforce was female. By 1933 this number was at 35%.
3. There were 32 women in the Reichstag, occupying 6.7% of the parliament as of 1926. This was impressive considering percentages for the equivalent statistic in America and Britain were at 1.1% and 1.2% respectively.
Historiography:
Elsa Hermann, PHD author of "This is the New Woman" said, "The modern lady refuses to lead the life a traditional lady and housewife. She prefers to depart from the preordained path and go her own way."
Education in Weimar
- It is safe to say that in order to build a successful nation, the education system of a nation must also flourish. Upon examination of the Weimar educational system and policies set in place, it is clear to see how Weimar was attempting to use education as a force to unite people, nations cultures....jk. Basically, education was dope in Weimar.
Facts:
1. In 1920, Germany introduced the unified 4 year elementary school that was standardised for all children.
2. School attendance until age 18 was compulsory.
3. Even primary school teachers were required to have passed Germany's equivalent of the IB, the abitur
4. There were 3 types of schools in Weimar germany. The Volksschule(4 years of primary school) then Mittelschule (6 years of middle school) then Gymnasium.
5. An interesting series of ideologies regarding education in Weimar arose during this period, as Weimar underwent constant educational reform. One of the more interesting perspectives is brought to light through swedish educationalist Ellen Key who asserts in her book "The century of the child" that the perfections of a child are already within him and education is a means to ward off negative influences preventing the seed of perfection from germinating.
6. A second interesting set of educational principles was applied to what are known as "experimental schools". These were schools that abandoned notions of grading and corporal punishments altogether and throughout Weimar, it is estimated that 200 such schools existed.