Culture and Politics: 1918-45

Germany - Weimar and Nazi Culture, 1918-45

In this course, Professor David Imhoof (Susquehanna University) explores German culture between the years 1918-45. In the first module, we think about the relationship between culture and politics in this period, focusing in particular upon the impact of the First World War and the Great Depression. In the second module, we take a closer look at culture in the Weimar Republic, before turning in the third module to think about the elements of change and continuity in German culture during the Nazis’ rise to power. In the fourth module, we consider the conservatism of culture during the Third Reich, before in the fifth module finally outlining how the Nazis restricted and politicised culture during the Second World War.

Culture and Politics: 1918-45

In this module, we provide an introduction to culture in Germany between the end of the First World War and the end of the Second World War, focusing in particular on: (i) the foundation of the Weimar Republic and the legacy of war; (ii) the impact of the German Depression and hyperinflation on German cultural activity; (iii) the rise of the Nazis and their influence upon German culture; and (iv) the restriction and censorship of German cultural activity during the Third Reich.