Dirk Schumann Books

The 20th century, declared at its start to be the "Century of the Child" by Swedish author Ellen Key, saw an unprecedented expansion of state activity in and expert knowledge on child-rearing on both sides of the Atlantic. Children were seen as a crucial national resource whose care could not be left to families alone. However, the exact scope and degree of state intervention and expert influence as well as the rights and roles of mothers and fathers remained subjects of heated debates throughout the century. While there is a growing scholarly interest in the history of childhood, research in the field remains focused on national narratives. This volume compares the impact of state intervention and expert influence on theories and practices of raising children in the U.S. and German Central Europe. In particular, the contributors focus on institutions such as kindergartens and schools where the private and the public spheres intersected, on notions of "race" and "ethnicity," "normality" and "deviance," and on the impact of wars and changes in political regimes.

The circumscribed civil war, 1919-1921 -- Symbolic fighting and the struggle for territory, 1921-1923 -- Years of calm--political violence, 1924-1929 -- The escalation of violence, 1929/30-1933

Focusing on the political culture of Weimar Germany, this analysis delves into the roots and manifestations of political violence during this tumultuous period. It examines the social, economic, and ideological factors that contributed to the rise of violence, offering insights into the broader implications for German society and politics. Through a detailed exploration, the book sheds light on how these dynamics shaped the historical landscape of the era.