Way of life 1900 up to 1950

Teachers and pastors founded Low German associations and, in 1906, the Mecklenburg Heritage Association. “Traditional events” became popular.

The “Turnip Winter” of 1916/17 led to spontaneous hunger riots during the First World War in the summer of 1917.

In the Weimar Republic cinemas, jazz and dance reflected the liberal minded atmosphere in the towns. Heritage societies operated among a sense of loyalty to the rulers, nationalistic spiritualism, excessive pride in the homeland and academic folklore.

Despite the existence of a dictatorship, job security was a critical factor in maintaining a positive attitude towards National Socialism. “Germanic desire for clarity” was mystified.

Casualties of war and the evacuation of people from the bombed cities of Hamburg and Berliner to Mecklenburg led to demoralisation. Disinformation, fear and the hope that the war would end were mixed with panic and violence in 1945. Attacks and lootings by the Red Army were traumatising in spite of the heavy penalties.

Catholic orphanages for illegitimate children born to young harvesters are built in Stralsund and Greifswald.­ Health resorts for children on the Baltic Sea become a new trend. The 'Emperor Wilhelm Children's Home' for pupils of Berlin's schools opens in 1913. A Catholic rest home is established in Zinnowitz.

Food is rationed during the First World War. Children become malnourished. Children's homes with space for 600 are built on Rügen and Usedom after 1918 to counteract this trend.

In the Weimar Republic cinemas, jazz and dance reflected the liberal minded atmosphere in the towns. Heritage societies operated among a sense of loyalty to the rulers, nationalistic spiritualism, excessive pride in the homeland and academic folklore.

Despite the existence of a dictatorship, job security was a critical factor in maintaining a positive attitude towards National Socialism. The seaside resort of Prora becomes the jewel in the crown of the National Socialist organisation 'Kraft durch Freude' (Strength through Joy). War weariness spreads as the dead pile up and the Allies bombard Stettin, Stralsund, Anklam and Peenemünde. Disinformation, fear and the hope that the war would end were mixed with panic and violence in 1945. Attacks and lootings by the Red Army were traumatising in spite of the heavy penalties.