Weimar Republic Golden Years - Young People

• Translates to "wandering birds". Set up in 1896 by a Berlin school teacher.
• The movement quickly spread and groups consisted of mainly middle-class boys.
• They were non-political - but very nationalistic and romanticised Germany's past.
• Hatred for industrialisation and big cities and much of their time was spent hiking or swimming.
• they rejected middle-class social conventions and sought freedom of wild spaces.

• Catholic and Protestant churches had groups. Catholics had different groups aim at different people.
• New Germany was found in 1919 and aimed at middle-class.
• The tasks of the youth was the promote religions and instil respect for church, family and school.

• All groups had youth sections.
• Social Democratic Youth (SPD) was founded in 1925. Had the most members of any political group.
• Young Communist League founded in 1925 for children of the KPD.
• Dismark Youth (DNVP) was founded in 1922 and reached membership 42,000 by 1928.
• Hitler Youth was linked to the Nazi Party. Growth was slow in 1920s and only reached 13,000 by 1929.

Why did young people suffer?

Fewer apprenticeships for youth and more unemployment. Young people were seeking work when emplyers were decreasing their workforce.

Did the education system help? Who gained and who didn't?

State education was divided via class and many were upper/middle. Also divided along religion. Working class families and children turned to crime and anti-social behavoiur.

Did education help to create am more cohesive (integratred) society?

Reformers tried to break down divides and provide comprehensive educatioon that was free for all children. Introduction of elementary school.