2 of 4

Write now Article Tools

Page 3 of 3

by 1929, Stresemann's policy of revision seemed to halt, and even he admitted it. The popular belief was more direct and dynamic action was necessary. The Great Depression brought about the complete collapse of the Weimar, as people felt that they were right in wanting stronger action. Layton says that Stresemann's "achievement was indeed considerable though by 1929 his policy had not lasted long enough or gone far enough to establish a momentum that could survive the very different circumstances of the 1930s".

The culture in the Weimar Republic was highly influenced by the American way of life and by Russian modernism. Art, architecture, philosophy and cinema were all moving in modernist directions, and soon became popular among the general population. George Grosz was the leading figure in Dadaism while Fritz Lang was a very famous modernist movie director. A cultural revolution was happening. This meant free speech, either artistic or direct, people felt free, liberated. Weimar Germany began to be recognised as one of the most fertile grounds for modern arts and sciences.

But some saw this new art as decadent, as a threat to civilization. The strong representation of Jews in the new artistic currents gave way to criticism of a "Judaized Republic" and also arguments about the moral laxity of the new Republic. In truth, it was a great advancement since the Kaiser system, as people were allowed to express themselves as they wished.

In conclusion, Germany grew and grew with the help of external money inputs and hard work. But by 1929 it all reached a dead end, as both the political and economical systems become clearly unstable. Because the democratic parties had not learnt to work together and sustain each other, the public was starting to look towards extremist parties. Stresemann's death in 1929 meant the end of good foreign affairs and therefore the Weimar was already unstable by 1929. Better political progress and unity could have presumably made the Weimar strong enough to withstand world pressures as the depression hit.

Learn more about this author, Andrew Bucur.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3

Add your voice

Know something about Germany during the period between the World Wars: 1919-1923?
We want to hear your view. Write now!