Petit bourgeoisie

When Wilhelm II came to power as the young Kaiser, after the early death of Friedrich III, the Wilhelmenian era began in Germany. Family tradition and a strong sense of duty were the models of society. The officer class was regarded as the top profession in the state. Boys were taught obedience when they paraded in front of their parents, dressed in children's uniforms with toy rifles. Thus they were guided towards their future tasks as soldiers. The girls continued to play with dolls in preparation for their later role as housewives and mothers.

The build-up of the German Navy aroused great enthusiasm in the German people. From the 1890's the sailor suit was the most popular clothing for boys.

The following extract from the "Young Germany Post" of 1913 shows just how preparedness for war was dinned into youths:
"The hour will also come for us to fight… Yes, that will be a great and joyful hour, for which we may secretly wish… deep and still within the German heart we must feel the joy of war and our yearning for it, because we have had enough of enemies and victory shall go to the people who go to war with drums and pipes, singing in celebration."
(von Gotzberg, Otto, zitiert in: Gross, Claus-Peter: … verliebt, verlobt, verheiratet, unter Adlers Fittichen, Berlin 1981, S. 361.)

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