To what extent did economic developments in Germany in the period 1900-1914 pose a threat to the power of the elites? For Germany, the years leading up to the First World War were filled with extreme levels of progress. A lot of their main industries thrived such as the coal, iron, steel and chemical industry. The urbanisation of Germany stimulated a population boom and changed the structure of German society. The rapid growth of old and new industries led to a population migration from rural to urban areas.
This enabled Germany to make regular easy payments. Eventually, this led to massive foreign investment in Germany. As a positive multiplier effect, factories were set up, jobs increased, unemployment declined, wealth was created and standard of living improved. Germany had begun to establish it’s stability as a nation. In addition to economic improvements, changes were made internationally, regarding foreign relations resulting in reclaiming their pride and status.
The invasion of the Ruhr and resultant hyperinflation also had a hugely detriment effect. Finally, the destruction of the Depression in 1929 dealt a huge blow. It s clearly evident that, while it had a substantial impact on the Weimar Republic to 1929, a string of separate factors were also responsible for it’s issues. Before the Treaty of Versailles was even signed, Germany’s fledgling republic experienced many problems. This proves that, while the treaty had a significant impact on the Weimar Republic, it was in no way the sole cause of its issues.
In 1926, Calvin Coolidge said to they American Association of Advertising that they are engaged in “the great work of regeneration and redemption of mankind. It is the most potent influence in adapting and changing the habits and modes of life, affecting what we eat, what we wear, and the work and play of a whole nation”. [1] Advertisements stressed the idea that anyone could live a more modern, freer life, filled with opportunities. In the 1920’s, a combination of the people’s positive attitude toward business and the stylish and new advertising used in the century marked a high point of advertising’s influence on America. In the 1920’s there were several social and cultural changes.
Aftermath of World War 1 unleashed the red scare. Nativism rose and led to the passing of many anti-immigration laws. The original Ku Klux Klan had died, but during this time period a new one had emerged. The movement to ban alcohol caused became a national policy and upset many Americans. The technological and cultural changes ushered in the modern world.
Different Decades American has changed dramatically since the revolution. Every decade marks a different society represented by our growth as a society. Even though the 1920s was a great shift for socialist as well as the 1960s, both decades marked a new era of change. The lifestyle during the roaring 20s was a lot more conservative than the 60s, but also very liberal from the decade before. Dating became more common, but the divorce rates were still very rare.
However, with widespread political unrest and a crippling economic crisis, was the constitution simply lucky to have survived her infancy years? It is widely believed that the foundations of the Weimar Republic were perilous to the strength of the new government. When the armistice was signed in 1918, the Germany people were shocked and disgraced as they had been led to believe by propaganda that they were winning the war. Ebert had become a hated and disrespected political figure. Not only did the people of Germany feel betrayed by a man of their own country but consequently, had no faith in the new democratic system.
The treaty of Versailles greatly humiliated Germany forcing it to accept soul responsibility for the war. Another fault in this treaty was that it did not work as intended. The idea that Germany could ever afford to pay the reparations to full amount was ludicrous as it was already suffering from the defeat of war. These reparations caused runaway inflation throughout Germany. But perhaps the biggest problem of all was that those who created it themselves did not enforce
The Treaty caused humiliation and shock amongst the citizens of the country, much of the political backlash was due to the fact that the Allies were dictating to Germany the harsh terms of the war reparations, which was seen as absurd by many citizens as they did not feel as if they were responsible for starting the war nor did they feel as though they had lost. As Germany had to pay reparations, they were told to issue a blank cheque which allies would cash when it suited them; the figure that was demanded was well
At this point in time, roads got improved and underwent repair on a larger extent; the production of railways skyrocketed in the German States. The expansion of railways increased industrialization and provided many raw materials, which could only be accessed to industries from far sources. Just like Zollverein, this made connections with one another (the German States) easier and promoted freedom, independence and prosperity. Germans began to see unity in factors other than language.