Politics, society and culture in Weimar Germany (1918-1933)
The course offers a broad survey of the political, economic, social and cultural history of the Weimar Republic from the revolution of 1918 to the advent of the Third Reich in 1933.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
In spite of its short and troubled existence the Weimar Republic remains one of the most fascinating periods of German history. Born of defeat in the First World War, but also the culmination of a long struggle for freedom and democracy; a beacon of modern culture and the object of passionate opposition – the history of the Weimar Republic combines a range of wildly contradictory features. Periods of progress and hope alternated with setbacks and days of despair, while the glamour of the “Golden Twenties” was overshadowed by economic crises, social disparities and political polarisation. As everybody knows, the Weimar Republic did fail in the end, but what this course will seek to show is that it was by no means doomed to failure from the start.
What will we cover?
Focusing on its protracted struggle for consolidation and its survival almost against all odds, the first three lessons will cover the constitutional framework and political processes of the Weimar Republic; the challenges it faced from both left and right plus the international setting and economic conditions of the period between 1918 and 1923. Four lessons will cover the years of “relative stabilisation” from 1924 to 1929, in particular issues like currency reform and economic recovery; Germany’s diplomatic rehabilitation and integration into the League of Nations; trends and movements regarding the position of women in German society and the status of social and ethnic minority groups; and finally, Berlin’s attraction as a cultural hub of global renown. The last three sessions will deal with the disintegration of the Weimar Republic between 1930 and 1933 under the impact of the great depression, with special emphasis on the political effects of austerity economics; the attempted transition from parliamentary democracy to presidential rule; and the rise and eventual triumph of the Nazi movement.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Identify the achievements of the Weimar Republic as well as the reasons for its fragility; understand the international context and economic parameters under which it operated; distinguish the ideology and social constitutency of the main political parties and movements; demonstrate familiarity with significant cultural currents of the period.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
PowerPoint-supported interactive lecture
Students will be advised on supplementary reading and plenty of online material will be provided for individual study.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Other courses in German or European history starting in September/October. Please see the City Lit website.
Dr. Rudolf Muhs, Emeritus Reader in Modern European History at Royal Holloway, University of London, studied at the universities of Freiburg and Edinburgh and has been teaching German history in England since 1987.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/history-culture-and-writing/politics-society-and-culture-in-weimar-germany-1918-1933221747Politics, society and culture in Weimar Germany (1918-1933)https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/j/pjimage_86_.jpg259259GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history/Courses/vm/Courses in democracy, rights and representation22851177117811821368112285117711781653<p>The course offers a broad survey of the political, economic, social and cultural history of the Weimar Republic from the revolution of 1918 to the advent of the Third Reich in 1933. </p>002816403Politics, society and culture in Weimar Germany (1918-1933)259259https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/j/pjimage_86__7.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-05-01T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHEH48259259Politics, society and culture in Weimar Germany (1918-1933)207168259Rudolf Muhspolitics-society-and-culture-in-weimar-germany-1918-1933/heh48-2526<p>The course offers a broad survey of the political, economic, social and cultural history of the Weimar Republic from the revolution of 1918 to the advent of the Third Reich in 1933. </p>0000-Available|2026-05-01 00:00:00<p>In spite of its short and troubled existence the Weimar Republic remains one of the most fascinating periods of German history. Born of defeat in the First World War, but also the culmination of a long struggle for freedom and democracy; a beacon of modern culture and the object of passionate opposition – the history of the Weimar Republic combines a range of wildly contradictory features. Periods of progress and hope alternated with setbacks and days of despair, while the glamour of the “Golden Twenties” was overshadowed by economic crises, social disparities and political polarisation. As everybody knows, the Weimar Republic did fail in the end, but what this course will seek to show is that it was by no means doomed to failure from the start. </p><p>The course offers a broad survey of the political, economic, social and cultural history of the Weimar Republic from the revolution of 1918 to the advent of the Third Reich in 1933. </p><p>Focusing on its protracted struggle for consolidation and its survival almost against all odds, the first three lessons will cover the constitutional framework and political processes of the Weimar Republic; the challenges it faced from both left and right plus the international setting and economic conditions of the period between 1918 and 1923. Four lessons will cover the years of “relative stabilisation” from 1924 to 1929, in particular issues like currency reform and economic recovery; Germany’s diplomatic rehabilitation and integration into the League of Nations; trends and movements regarding the position of women in German society and the status of social and ethnic minority groups; and finally, Berlin’s attraction as a cultural hub of global renown. The last three sessions will deal with the disintegration of the Weimar Republic between 1930 and 1933 under the impact of the great depression, with special emphasis on the political effects of austerity economics; the attempted transition from parliamentary democracy to presidential rule; and the rise and eventual triumph of the Nazi movement.</p><p>Identify the achievements of the Weimar Republic as well as the reasons for its fragility; understand the international context and economic parameters under which it operated; distinguish the ideology and social constitutency of the main political parties and movements; demonstrate familiarity with significant cultural currents of the period. </p><p>PowerPoint-supported interactive lecture</p><p><strong>Students will be advised on supplementary reading and plenty of online material will be provided for individual study.</strong></p>.<p>Other courses in German or European history starting in September/October. Please see the City Lit website. </p>HistoryEuropean historyvirtual207259168HEH48NONEFri01/05/26 - 10/07/2615:00 - 17:0015:0017:0010 sessions (over 11 weeks)105-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetRudolf MuhsAvailable courses2026-05-01T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities259259Politics, society and culture in Weimar Germany (1918-1933)politics-society-and-culture-in-weimar-germany-1918-1933/heh48-2526<p>The course offers a broad survey of the political, economic, social and cultural history of the Weimar Republic from the revolution of 1918 to the advent of the Third Reich in 1933. </p>0000-Available|2026-05-01 00:00:00<p>In spite of its short and troubled existence the Weimar Republic remains one of the most fascinating periods of German history. Born of defeat in the First World War, but also the culmination of a long struggle for freedom and democracy; a beacon of modern culture and the object of passionate opposition – the history of the Weimar Republic combines a range of wildly contradictory features. Periods of progress and hope alternated with setbacks and days of despair, while the glamour of the “Golden Twenties” was overshadowed by economic crises, social disparities and political polarisation. As everybody knows, the Weimar Republic did fail in the end, but what this course will seek to show is that it was by no means doomed to failure from the start. </p><p>The course offers a broad survey of the political, economic, social and cultural history of the Weimar Republic from the revolution of 1918 to the advent of the Third Reich in 1933. </p><p>Focusing on its protracted struggle for consolidation and its survival almost against all odds, the first three lessons will cover the constitutional framework and political processes of the Weimar Republic; the challenges it faced from both left and right plus the international setting and economic conditions of the period between 1918 and 1923. Four lessons will cover the years of “relative stabilisation” from 1924 to 1929, in particular issues like currency reform and economic recovery; Germany’s diplomatic rehabilitation and integration into the League of Nations; trends and movements regarding the position of women in German society and the status of social and ethnic minority groups; and finally, Berlin’s attraction as a cultural hub of global renown. The last three sessions will deal with the disintegration of the Weimar Republic between 1930 and 1933 under the impact of the great depression, with special emphasis on the political effects of austerity economics; the attempted transition from parliamentary democracy to presidential rule; and the rise and eventual triumph of the Nazi movement.</p><p>Identify the achievements of the Weimar Republic as well as the reasons for its fragility; understand the international context and economic parameters under which it operated; distinguish the ideology and social constitutency of the main political parties and movements; demonstrate familiarity with significant cultural currents of the period. </p><p>PowerPoint-supported interactive lecture</p><p><strong>Students will be advised on supplementary reading and plenty of online material will be provided for individual study.</strong></p>.<p>Other courses in German or European history starting in September/October. Please see the City Lit website. </p>HistoryEuropean historyconfigurable
11821178European historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/european-history1/2/285/1177/1178/11821/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history
