Aspects of life in Germany and West Germany 1918-89 Theme 4

To what extent did the role of women change in 1918-89?

Before WW1, gov's attitude to women in German Civil Code: Women could not vote, single women could study for a profession but could not take exams to qualify and practise. Married women had no legal status at all. A women's role seen as Kinder, Kuche, Kirche. 

During the war, women took place of men in factories and farms. By end of war, 75% of women of working age were in work. Women without men now a significant part of population.

Was there a change in role of women in 1918-32?

Yes:

• Parliament: Women gained right to vote in 1918. Over 100 women were elected to the Reichstag between 1919-1932
• Legal Rights: Women granted equal rights in principle (in marriage and ability to enter professions). However, this didn't significantly change their legal status under the Civil Code
• Work: Despite government policy encouraging women to leave jobs for returning soldiers after the war, the percentage of women in the workforce remained high
• Education and Professions: Single women had more opportunities for education and entry to professions, although the number of women in professions was small.

No:

• Gender inequality: Women still confined to lower-paying jobs than men. The wage gap and limited access to higher-paying jobs persisted
• Trade unions and male-dominated industries resisted women's entry into the workforce and opposed equal pay- maintaining discriminatory practices
• The idea of "new women" faced backlash from politicians, and the media. Criticisms of their behaviour and lifestyle choices discouraged women from going against societal expectations
• While women had the right to vote and theoretically had equal rights under the Weimar constitution, these legal changes did not improve their daily lives- Societal attitudes restricted women's opportunities.

Overall, the role of women changed to a certain extent during 1918-32, as while there were some advancements in legal rights and workforce involvement, traditional gender norms and discrimination persisted. 

The depression:

This and the rising unemployment meant more hostility towards working women. Neither men nor women could press for reforms or better working conditions when jobs were scarce. However, women were less affected by unemployment as they were cheaper to employ than men. 1932- 46% of men unemployed/ 33% of women.

30th May 1932, Bruning passed a decree allowing the dismissal of married women in gov if they had husbands who were earning.

Impact of Nazi rule on women 1933-45

The Nazis adopted the slogan 'Kinder, Kuche, Kirche', to give a familiar view of women. While they wanted women at home in the kitchen, they were against church membership as it competed with their influence. They stressed that women were equal to men, but different physically, so the family was their job. 

Women as mothers were important to the state:

• Women had their own Nazi organization: the National Socialist Womanhood (NSF). A wider-based movement called the German Women's Enterprise organized activities for non-party members
• 'Pure' German couples were encouraged to breed, and laws were passed to stop the 'wrong' kind…