New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Social and economic change 1924-29

I can describe some of the social and economic changes that took place in Germany between 1924 and 1929.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Social and economic change 1924-29

I can describe some of the social and economic changes that took place in Germany between 1924 and 1929.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Economic stability under Stresemann improved wages, housing and welfare, but left some Germans struggling.
  2. Housing projects and unemployment insurance improved living standards but strained the Republic's finances.
  3. Women gained greater freedoms and equality, but many still embraced traditional roles at home and in society.
  4. The 'New Woman' symbolised independence and embraced leisure, but some saw this freedom as excessive and irresponsible.
  5. Conservatives viewed women’s new workforce roles and social freedoms as threats to family and national recovery.

Keywords

  • Golden Age - a period of time, sometimes imaginary, of peace, prosperity, and happiness

  • Welfare state - a system that allows the government of a country to provide social services such as healthcare, unemployment benefit, etc., to people who need them, paid for by taxes

  • Conservatives - a group who value tradition, social order and inherited wisdom, wishing to preserve institutions that have stood the test of time, while cautiously allowing for change

  • New Woman - a symbol of female independence in 1920s Germany, embracing greater freedom in work, fashion and leisure, while challenging traditional gender roles and societal expectations

Common misconception

The Weimar Republic’s 'Golden Age' benefited all Germans equally.

This period brought economic growth, higher wages and social reforms, but not all Germans benefited equally. Many still faced poverty, unemployment and housing struggles. Conservatives also opposed cultural changes, leading to social tensions.


To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: Social and economic change 1924-29, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Pupils could create a 1928 newspaper front page with articles on rising wages, housing reforms and women’s rights. Include a culture section reviewing clips of 1920s German cabaret music or Weimar-era fashion and art. Pupils could write as optimistic reformers, others as sceptical conservatives.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Who played a key role in Germany’s diplomatic recovery between 1924 and 1929?
Adolf Hitler
Correct answer: Gustav Stresemann
Paul von Hindenburg
Q2.
In the Pact, Germany agreed to respect its western borders with France and Belgium.
Correct Answer: Locarno
Q3.
What strategy did Stresemann use regarding Germany’s eastern borders?
he agreed to respect the eastern borders to maintain peace with Poland
Correct answer: he avoided commitments about the eastern borders to prevent domestic opposition
he proposed a new treaty to reclaim eastern territories lost after the war
Q4.
What was the significance of Germany signing the Kellogg-Briand Pact?
it established Germany as a military superpower
it formally ended the First World War
it reduced reparations payments
Correct answer: it symbolised Germany’s commitment to avoid conflict
Q5.
Match each term to its correct definition:
Correct Answer:diplomacy,the practice of managing international relations through negotiation

the practice of managing international relations through negotiation

Correct Answer:domestic,relating to internal affairs within a country

relating to internal affairs within a country

Correct Answer:pariah,a nation or person rejected or excluded by others

a nation or person rejected or excluded by others

Q6.
How did Stresemann’s diplomacy affect the domestic situation in Germany?
it caused a surge in support for the Nazi Party
it led to a collapse of moderate pro-democratic parties
Correct answer: it reduced reparations payments and began to repair the economy
Correct answer: it weakened extremist parties on the left and right

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is the best definition of the ‘Golden Age’?
Correct answer: a period of economic stability and cultural growth
a phase of complete political unity and lack of opposition to government policy
a time when all people become wealthy and have equal opportunities
Q2.
Which word describes a system that allows the government of a country to provide social services to people who need them?
Correct Answer: welfare state, the welfare state, a welfare state
Q3.
What positive impacts were made by the Weimar Republic's expansion of the welfare state?
eliminated all unemployment in Germany
lowered taxes for all German citizens
Correct answer: offered financial support to groups, such as war widows
Correct answer: provided affordable housing in Germany
Q4.
What negative impacts were made by the Weimar Republic's expansion of the welfare state?
Correct answer: strict eligibility checks and delays made it difficult to receive benefits
the expansion of the welfare state completely eliminated poverty in Germany
Correct answer: the financial burden of welfare programmes led to sharp tax increases
welfare payments were easy to access for all Germans
Q5.
What changes occurred for women in Weimar Germany?
Correct answer: The 'New Woman' emerged, embracing independence and modern fashion.
The Weimar constitution restricted women’s rights within marriage.
Correct answer: Women gained the right to vote and stand for political office.
Women were banned from working in professional fields.
Q6.
believed that women abandoning their roles as homemakers for independence and sexual freedom was causing rising divorce and falling birth rates in Germany.
Correct Answer: Conservatives

Additional material

Download additional material