Change to German Life

• What was the impact of the Treaty of Versailles on the German people's living standards between 1918 and 1923?

  People's living standards suffered due to reparation payments and economic problems.
• Why did the improvement in living standards make the Weimar government more popular?

  Because the improvement was funded by the Weimar government.
• What was the condition of middle-class families during the improvement of living standards?

  Many middle-class families had lost their savings and felt resentment.
• What was the unemployment rate in Germany in 1924?

  Over 40% of the workforce were unemployed.
• How did unemployment levels change from 1924 to 1928?

  Unemployment reduced from over 40% to 1.3 million by 1928.
• What was the purpose of the Unemployment Insurance Act introduced in 1927?

  To provide unemployment and sickness benefits to workers.
• How much unemployment benefit did workers receive under the Unemployment Insurance Act?

  60 marks a week.
• What was the impact of the Unemployment Insurance Act on families?

  It removed the stress of unemployment and reduced poverty.
• How many students were in higher education before WWI?

  70,000 students.
• What was the number of students in higher education by 1928?

  120,000 students.
• What was the legal working week reduced to by 1927?

  48 hours per week.
• By how much did wages increase from 1925 to 1928?

  Roughly 20%.
• What was the housing situation in Germany by 1923?

  There was a shortage of over 1 million homes.
• How many new homes were built from 1925 to 1928?

  37,000 new homes.
• How many war veterans received pensions after WWI?

  Roughly 750,000 war veterans.
• What was the impact of pensions on war veterans?

  It gave soldiers back their dignity and showed government support.
• What did the Weimar government guarantee in their new constitution regarding women's rights?

  Women had equal rights to men.
• What percentage of women were in work by 1918 due to WWI?

  73% of women were in work.
• What happened to women's employment after WWI?

  Only 36% of women held the same jobs they had during the war.
• What new opportunities for work emerged for women in the Weimar Republic?

  Part-time work in shops and offices increased.
• How many more female doctors were there by 1932?

  Over 2,500 more female doctors.
• How did women's leisure activities change during the Weimar Republic?

  Women became more independent and bought make-up and revealing clothes.
• What societal pressures did women face despite the changes in the Weimar Republic?

  Women were still judged by society and expected to focus on motherhood.
• How many divorces occurred per 100,000 people in 1913?

  27 divorces per 100,000 people.
• What was the divorce rate by the 1920s?

  It rose to 100 divorces per 100,000 people.
• What percentage of German politicians were women by 1925?

  10% of German politicians were women.
• How many women were elected to the Reichstag in 1912?

  112 women were elected.
• What were the main causes of changes in the role of women during the Weimar Republic?

  The impact of WWI, the Weimar Constitution, and new ideas from America.
• What were some of the main opportunities for work for women during the Weimar Republic?

  Part-time work in shops and offices, jobs previously done by men, and growing numbers of women doctors.
• What were some of the changes in women's leisure during the Weimar Republic?

  Use of make-up, wearing more revealing clothes, and independence from family control.
• What were some arguments against the changes in women's roles during the Weimar Republic?

  Women should focus on being mothers, fears about the increasing divorce rate, and concerns that the economy would suffer with inexperienced workers.
• What were the factors that caused cultural change in the Weimar Republic?

  Greater freedom, government support, public support, influence from the USA, and new technology.
• What are the new styles of German culture during the Weimar Republic?

  • Modernism
  • Expressionism
  • New Objectivity