Jazz in the Culture of Nazi Germany

Different Drummers: Jazz in the Culture of national socialist Germany by Michael Kater There has only been one moment in accounting when recognize was synonymous with popular music in the pastoral of its origin. During the years of, and immediately prior to World War II, a subgenre of jazz commonly referred to as swing was playing on both American radio stations and attracting throngs of young population to dancehalls for live shows. But it wasnt only popular amongst Americans; historian Michael H. Kater, in his book Different Drummers: Jazz in the Culture of Nazi Germany, has turned his eye away from the United States in graze to examine the effects jazz had on German grow during the years of swing popularity. In his introduction, Kater explains the state of Jazz in Germany during the Weimar Republic, prior the rise of National Socialism. The Republican years in the country have gained a reputation as world a time of hedonistic excess (especially in legitimate cities, i.e. Berlin), including sexual promiscuity and the tolerance of homosexuality. Along with the socially unsubtle values found within the dense urban centers, came the pulsating and syncopate sexual rhythms of a new music called jazz. Kater argues that the source Germans to strike jazz were probably prisoners of war being held in France during the first World War.

Jazz had already crossed the Atlantic and gained a fan base in both France and England. The postwar Germans were clear in need of some sort of entertaining amusement in order to take their minds off of the massive casualties and embarrassing defeat that their country had just endured. One cure for their joint ennui manifested itself in the form of dance fever. The foxtrot, the tango, and the Charleston all had bright and shining moments on the German dance floors. It is no wonder that Jazz caught on so quickly in such an atmosphere considering how jazz lends it self to dancing. But jazz also had its many detractors. As with its critics in... If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay

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