The Dismissal of Democracy in Liberal Jena: Historical Lecture at TaF

How Jena Became Democratic – and how quickly the tide could turn

The event at TaF – Meeting Point at Fichteplatz invites you on November 4, 2026, to a historical analysis of Jena's political development during the crisis years 1929 to 1933. The focus is on public sentiment, voter migration, and the question of how democratic majorities shifted in favor of authoritarian anti-democratic forces within just a few years.

Voter Migration in Crisis Mode

Dr. Rüdiger Stutz's presentation takes the Reichstag elections of 1928 as a starting point. At that time, the SPD achieved one of its best results nationwide in the city district of Jena. Only four years later, the anti-democratic parties from the extreme right and the KPD achieved a clear majority of valid votes in Jena during the last Reichstag elections of the Weimar Republic.

A Look into Jena's Districts

The process of departure is vividly illustrated through voter migrations in selected polling districts. The analysis ranges from craft masters, commercial traders, and völkisch-oriented officials and pensioners in the inner-city districts of 1929 and 1930 to other parts of the educated and economic bourgeoisie, the civil service, and proletarian population groups in the old suburbs and peripheral electoral districts of 1932.

Historical Classification with Local Focus

Particularly enlightening is the local perspective on Jena: Outside of the core staff of Zeiss and Schott, authoritarian anti-democratic attitudes were already predominant before Hitler's chancellorship. The event thus combines political education, urban history, and historical election research. The event management of the Volkshochschule Jena creates a suitable environment for concentrated listening and subsequent exchange in the self-organized community store TaF.

Atmosphere and Event Experience

In TaF at Fichteplatz, scientific presentation meets an open, neighborly event atmosphere. The audience does not expect an abstract textbook chapter but a precise examination of specific neighborhoods, social groups, and political sentiments. The atmosphere is fostered by the shared reflection on historical developments and their significance for democratic societies.

Conclusion

The lecture makes visible how political crises, social interests, and regional peculiarities can destabilize a democratic order. Those who want to better understand Jena's history and the mechanisms of political radicalization can expect an informed evening with a local historical perspective on November 4. Admission is free, but registration is required.

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Sources:

• JenaKultur – Event Page of the Volkshochschule Jena
• Volkshochschule Jena – Course Details and Registration
• TaF – Meeting Point at Fichteplatz
• Saale-Unstrut Tourism – Event Announcements