To what extent was German culture shaped by political ideology in the years
1918–89?
Political ideology can be defined as a set of beliefs that forms the basis of how an
individual, a group, or a social class views the world and the proper role of
government; such sets of beliefs circulating in Germany varied greatly throughout the
period 1918 to 1989. From 1918, liberal left leaning ideologies were widespread in
Germany, however these progressive political sympathies ground to a halt in the
early 30s upon the ascendency of fascist ideology which tyrannised German politics
until 1945. Throughout the period of 1949 to 1989, the country embarked upon
restoring democracy and saw both the reemergence of liberalism and the surfacing
of unequivocally left wing ideologies such as socialism and communism. These
drastic fluctuations in political ideologies dominating German society inevitably
shaped the nation’s culture, a term which, in the context of this essay, I am using
mainly in reference to various branches of creative activity, such as art, music,
literature, and cinema.
I would argue that the fact that German culture was shaped by the country’s political
ideology to a considerably large extent in the years 1918 to 1989 is undeniably true.
This can first be evidenced by looking at the Weimar era of Germany, a period in
which the liberal left leaning political ideology of the government was reflected in the
country’s constitution, making Germany one of the most socially progressive
countries of the early twentieth century. It is clear to see that this shift in ideology
shaped German culture by reflecting on the speed with which new and innovative
artistic movements emerged, with Expressionism and, in response, New objectivity
massively influencing German visual art, music and literature. By protecting freedom
of speech and removing restrictions on the arts and culture that the Kaiser had
imposed, the Weimar government enabled artists to express themselves without fear
of recrimination which sparked a flourishing of culture across the nation.
When Hitler came to power in 1933 and Germany was thoroughly immersed in
Nazism, we can once again see a transformation in the country’s culture that is
undeniably owed to the dominant political ideology of the time. While watching the
Nazi’s celebratory procession through Berlin following Hitler’s induction as
chancellor, impressionist painter Max Liebermann commented ‘I just can’t eat as
much as I would like to puke’. I would consider this bitter comment from Libermann
as essential to understanding the remoulding of culture the proliferation of Nazi
ideology induced, as here we can see how German creatives were conscious of the
toll Nazi beliefs were inevitably going to take on the dynamic and imaginative nature
of the arts. Throughout Hitler’s time as chancellor, the influence of Nazi ideology on
German culture can be seen in the popularity of art imitating that of ancient Greece
and Rome, for example the sculptures of Arno Breker, which perpetuated the Nazi
racial ideal. Hitler declared that there would be no place for cultural modernist
experimentation in the Reich and as a result in the years 1933-1945 the German arts
were dominated by Romantic Realism, reflecting Fascist ideology.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller lfgarton. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $7.37. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
