From the Second Empire to the Third Reich: Weimar Germany 1914-1933

Wedi cwblhau'r modiwl dylai'r myfyrwyr fedru:

1. Demonstrate familiarity with historical knowledge in the field of German history between 1914 and 1933.
2. Use primary evidence to account for developments in politics, culture and society in the Weimar Republic.
3. Read, analyse and reflect critically on secondary and primary texts, in particular the work of D. J. K. Peukert and his critics.
4. Develop the ability to evaluate strengths and weaknesses of historical arguments relating to the crises of the Weimar Republic.

The Third Reich and Second World War are key themes in the history of the twentieth century Europe. This module examines Germany’s path from monarchy to republic and finally to dictatorship covering the period 1914-1933. Drawing on a range of historical interpretations the module will explore Germany’s route from war to revolution to stability and then to crisis again. It will cover key historical events such as the collapse of the German Empire, the crisis of 1918-1923 and the rise of the Nazis. It will also provide a thematic approach by focusing on political milieus, gender, youth, the arts and popular culture. The historian Detlef Peukert argued that the collapse of the Weimar Republic was due to a ‘crisis of classic modernity.’ The evaluation of this interpretation is a key theme running through the module. It will explore the extent to which the contradictions brought about by Germany’s experience of modernity were instrumental in the rise of Nazism.

This module is intended to provide students with an introduction to German history during the period 1914-1933. It will also explore key themes in the politics, culture and society of the Weimar Republic. Beginning with World War One, this module will trace the history of the crises experienced during the Weimar Republic and explain the rise of Nazism. Through a range of primary and secondary literature students will be acquainted with developments in the politics, society and culture of the period. The module will provide an additional element of choice for second year students and is particularly important to students interested in European History, as well as modern History more generally.

Lectures
1. Introduction: Themes in the History of the Weimar Republic
2. Germany and the First World War
3. The German Revolution, November 1918 to March 1919
4. The Weimar Republic in Crisis, 1919-1923
5. The Period of Relative Stability, 1924-1928
6. Return to Crisis, 1930-1933
7. Political Culture and Milieus
8. The Nazi Party: Ideology and Propaganda
9. Who voted Nazi?
10. Gender and Sexuality
11. Youth and Generational Conflict
12. Berlin and Bartenstein: Urban and Rural Germany
13. Culture I: Jazz and Metropolis
14. Culture II: Dadaism and Bauhaus
15. The Modern State: Crime, Order and Policing
16. The Modern State: Welfare and Medicine
17. The Nazi Seizure of Power, 1932-1933
18. Conclusions: The Weimar Republic in History and Memory

Workshops
1. Revolution and Crisis
2. The ‘Golden Years’
3. The Rise of Nazism
4. A Crisis of Classical Modernity?

Mae'r modiwl hwn yn cydymffurfio a FfCChC Lefel 5