Social and economic change 1924-29
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe some of the social and economic changes that took place in Germany between 1924 and 1929.
Key learning points
- Economic stability under Stresemann improved wages, housing and welfare, but left some Germans struggling.
- Housing projects and unemployment insurance improved living standards but strained the Republic's finances.
- Women gained greater freedoms and equality, but many still embraced traditional roles at home and in society.
- The 'New Woman' symbolised independence and embraced leisure, but some saw this freedom as excessive and irresponsible.
- 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.
Teacher tip
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.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who played a key role in Germany’s diplomatic recovery between 1924 and 1929?
Q2.In the Pact, Germany agreed to respect its western borders with France and Belgium.
Q3.What strategy did Stresemann use regarding Germany’s eastern borders?
Q4.What was the significance of Germany signing the Kellogg-Briand Pact?
Q5.Match each term to its correct definition:
the practice of managing international relations through negotiation
relating to internal affairs within a country
a nation or person rejected or excluded by others
Q6.How did Stresemann’s diplomacy affect the domestic situation in Germany?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the best definition of the ‘Golden Age’?
Q2.Which word describes a system that allows the government of a country to provide social services to people who need them?
Q3.What positive impacts were made by the Weimar Republic's expansion of the welfare state?
Q4.What negative impacts were made by the Weimar Republic's expansion of the welfare state?
Q5.What changes occurred for women in Weimar Germany?
Q6. believed that women abandoning their roles as homemakers for independence and sexual freedom was causing rising divorce and falling birth rates in Germany.
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Social and economic change 1924-29, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Social and economic change 1924-29, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.