1.2.1 German Political Culture

• People were concerned about democracy because:

  1. It gave power to uneducated people
  2. It gave power to poor people
  3. It was weak and indecisive
• Respect for the army was based on the view that it was an extremely effective organisation that protected and advanced the interests of the nation
• Respect for the army was expressed in the formation of undemocratic groups such as the Navy League
• The German military was very hierarchical and dominated by the aristocracy
• Jews were blamed for spreading plague, poisoning children and corrupting German culture
• Social Darwinism taught that humans were naturally unequal and that strong humans had a duty to dominate the weak
• When was Walther Rathenau assassinated?

  1922
• The Stab in the Back Myth emerged because:

  1. German propaganda promised certain victory
  2. It was widely known that Germany had occupied French territory
  3. Many Germans had lots of faith in the army, believing it would never surrender