Politics, society and culture in Weimar Germany (1918-1933)
- Course Code: HEH48
- Dates: 03/05/24 - 05/07/24
- Time: 14:45 - 16:45
- Taught: Fri, Daytime
- Duration: 10 sessions (over 10 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Rudolf Muhs
Course Code: HEH48
Duration: 10 sessions (over 10 weeks)
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.
What is the course about?
In the turmoil at the end of the First World War, various factions in Germany sought to create a republic and this was first proclaimed on November 9, 1918. In many ways the Weimar Republic was a genuine attempt to create a perfect democratic country, but by 1923 it was already looking fragile. This course explores the reasons for the establishment of the republic, its ambitions and achievements, its mishaps and its eventual overthrow by the Nazis.
What will we cover?
How and why Germany became a republic in 1918
- The challenges facing the Weimar Republic in its early days and attempts to overcome these
- The crisis of 1923: occupation, hyperinflation and long term consequences
- Reconciliation with France and Germany: the Stresemann years
- German cultural and scientific achievements during the Weimar Republic
- Economic crisis in late 1920s and the growth of anti-republican forces on the right and left
- The triumph of the Nazis and the death of the republic.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
Explain the nature of the Weimar republic,
discuss its achievements
suggest why it only lasted 12 years.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an introductory course and does not assume any previous study or reading although you will need a good
grasp of English to keep up with the course. You will gain more from the course, in terms of enjoyment and
learning, if you are able and willing to do some supplementary reading. A short book list will be supplied at the first class. As with most of our history courses, intellectual curiosity and an open mind are more important than specific previous knowledge.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor presentation, group discussion, tutor-guided analysis of documents, images and video clips. You will be
given a short reading list in case you would like to do some additional reading, but this is not necessary to
participation in class discussion. In case you would like to do some preparatory reading, we suggest ‘The Weimar
Republic’ by Stephen J. Lee (Routledge, 2007).
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs. If you would like to take any notes, do bring a notebook or other means to record key points. All handouts and prentations will be put on the Google Classroom webpage for this course.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Other courses in German and European history. 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.
