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Berlin: From Dynamic To Draconian How Berlin went from the capital of freedom and vibrancy to one of oppression and totalitarianism. By Harry Griffiths Yes, we all remember just how absolute the Nazis were with German society; we all make connotations to the Nazis as ruthless and authoritarian as we compare it to both modern society and the society we had in Britain in the 30’s; but imagine living, particularly as a teen/young adult, in Berlin between 1920 and 1940. The reality was that the society of Berlin in the ‘20’s was astoundingly free. Beyond the belief of many across Europe: bear in mind prejudice towards minorities in society was prevalent, and religion still vastly influential. One ground-breaking occurrence was the rise in openly homosexual members of society. Berlin shared this feature with other ‘roaring’ cities worldwide, including
the likes of Chicago. For the overwhelming majority, this was unheard of to have people being permitted to be homosexual, never mind openly, and Berlin was exceptionally out ahead of the rest: the homosexual community flourished through a decade of freedom and German Expressionism. Moreover, prior to the collapse of the Kaiser’s reign and the beginning of the Weimar Republic, music was strictly monitored: no black/afro influenced music existed in German society. Now, under Weimar, suddenly jazz became the most revered genre in Berlin and its freedom in musical terms mirrored the society that now existed in Berlin: where German Expressionism blossomed and people took advantage of the liberties they felt they had under the lack of guidance and legislation under Weimar. Dance halls were now filled with the sounds of saxophones, trumpets and trombones, and new, exciting dances took a stronghold: the Charleston wiped the dance-floor with traditional waltzes.