Women
In this section of the comparative study we will consider the contrasting roles and positions of women in Weimar society and Nazi Germany, through this comparative study we will begin to formulate the basis for our evaluation of the impact of the Nazi state on the social and cultural life in Nazi Germany by considering the shift that occurred between the Weimar republic and Nazi Germany post 1933.
TASK | Consider the two sources below which contrast the woman of the Weimar republic with the woman of Nazi Germany. After viewing both sources and reading their explanatory notes complete the questions below.
Source 1 - The 'New Woman' of WeimarDuring the post war years the Weimar republic faced massive social and cultural change. Progressive ideas surrounding gender, sexuality and education arose during the period along side the notion of the 'New Woman'.Whilst there remained tension in society between the 'old life' and the 'new life' in Germany, mass media during the Weimar period adopted the imagery of the New Woman who rejected pre-war gender stereotypes and patriarchal hierarchies. The ideal of the new Woman flourished in the golden age of Weimar society with its progressive arts culture.
The image above, painted by Otto Dix in 1926 is a prime example of the New Woman on Weimar society. Entitled Portrait of the Journalist Sylvia von Harden. Images such as these represented the modernism of the period but often came under attack by conservatives who used such women as scape goats for the economic and political problems facing Germany during the 1920’s. (Ute Revert, 1990) |
Source 2 - The Woman of Nazi GermanyNazi attitude to women was largely shaped by the personal attitudes of Adolf Hitler, which influenced both Nazi policy and propaganda. The image of women at home proceeding healthy Aryan children became a central image in Nazi ideology. From 1921the party banned women in senior leadership positions within the party and other Nazi organisations such as the National Socialist Womanhood (NSF) promoted the notion that women should stay at home an have babies.
The image above, taken from a NSDAP Magazine cover, is representative of an array of similar propaganda utilised by the Nazi party to promote its ideology of the woman as mother and housekeeper. Such images directly challenged the Weimar New Woman, presenting a highly feminised child bearing woman who did her part for the nation by bearing children to bolster the Aryan race. |
Comparative analysis
Compare sources 1 and 2 and complete the following questions:
1| What does each source say about the role of women in society?
2| Why do you think that conservatives and members of the Nazi party would have seen the New Woman in source 1 to be a threat to the nation?
3| Using source 2 explain the shift in ideal womanhood from the Weimar Republic to Nazi Germany.
1| What does each source say about the role of women in society?
2| Why do you think that conservatives and members of the Nazi party would have seen the New Woman in source 1 to be a threat to the nation?
3| Using source 2 explain the shift in ideal womanhood from the Weimar Republic to Nazi Germany.
Source 3 - Elsa Herrmann on WomenThe writer Elsa Herrmann wrote a book in 1929 entitled 'This is the New Woman' outlining the new position of women in the Weimar period. In this book Herrmann describes the rise of new possibilities for women in the period, new possibilities that stand in stark contrast to the views of women outlined opposite.
"The woman of today refuses to live the life of a lady and housewife... the new women has set herself the goal of proving in her work and deeds that the representatives of the female sex are not second class persons existing only in dependence and obedience but are fully capable of satisfying the demands of their positions in life.” Elsa Herrmann (1929). This is the New Woman. Hellerau: Avalun Verlag |
Source 4 - Adolf Hitler on WomenNazi policy was heavily influenced by Adolf Hitlers own attitudes to women which can be seen both in his speeches and his written work such as Mein Kampf. Below is an excerpt from a speech given by Hitler in 1935 exemplifying the Nazi attitude to the role of women in line with the Nazi slogan "Kinder, Kuche und Kirche" (Children, Kitchen, Church).
“The granting of equal rights to women, which Marxism demands, in reality does not grant equal rights … it instead constitutes a deprivation of rights, since it draws women into realms of society where they are inferior. The woman has her own battlefield. With every child that she brings into the world, she fights her battle for the nation.” Adolf Hitler (September, 1935). Speech. |
Comparative analysis
Compare sources 3 and 4 and complete the following questions:
1| How does source 3 add to your understanding of the role of women in Weimar Republic?
2| How does source 4 add to your understanding of the imagery of source 2?
3| What do you think Elsa Herrmann would have thought of Adolf Hitler's speech in source 4 if she had been there?
1| How does source 3 add to your understanding of the role of women in Weimar Republic?
2| How does source 4 add to your understanding of the imagery of source 2?
3| What do you think Elsa Herrmann would have thought of Adolf Hitler's speech in source 4 if she had been there?
Weimar Statistics on WomenAbortion:
In 1932 (the year before Hitlers accession to power) approximately 44000 German women applied to terminate a pregnancy with 34698 women being granted approval. It was not illegal to apply for or receive an abortion. Birthrates: In 1933 there were 14.7 births per 1000 inhabitants. There were limited incentives for families wishing to have children in the later Weimar period, however the height of birthrates in the Weimar period prior to the great depression was 25.9 births per 1000 inhabitants in 1920. Employment: - In 1932 there were approximately 100000 female teachers, 13000 paid female musicians and 3000 female doctors working in Germany. - In 1932 the German workforce contained 37% women. - During the 1930's women often found it easier to find work than men in Germany as they were cheaper labour with skilled women earning 66% of male counterparts and unskilled women earning 77% of male counterparts. - This is evident in the fact that 29% of males were dismissed during the Great Depression, with only 11% of females being dismissed. Education: In 1932 there were approximately 17000 women in higher education in Germany. |
Nazi Germany statistics on WomenAbortion:
Between 1935 and 1940 there were only 14333 applications to terminate pregnancy and 9701 approvals. Under Nazi Germany abortion became illegal for the Aryan population, but was encouraged and freely available for Jewish women. Birthrates: In 1939 birthrates peaked in Nazi Germany at 20.4 births per 1000 inhabitants, which in reality was only a very modest gain. Although the Nazi party introduced policies of illegal abortions, restriction in availability of contraceptive advice and a generous family allowance scheme for families with children in an attempt to bolster birthrates, such rates still fell short of that of 1920 Weimar Germany. Employment: - During the election campaign of 1932 Hitler declared he would take 800000 women out of employment within four years - From 1936 women were prohibited from working as lawyers, judges, lawyers, and school principles as well as other professions. Education: Universities were restricted to 10% quota of women. Meaning women in higher education fell to just under 6000 in 1939. |
Statistical information in this section drawn from:
- Richard Evans (2005). The Third Reich in Power
- Richard Grunberger (1971). A Social History of the Third Reich.
For an effective overview of information on Women in Nazi Germany visit:
- Spartacus Educational, Women in Nazi Germany.
- Alpha History, Women in Nazi Germany.
- Richard Evans (2005). The Third Reich in Power
- Richard Grunberger (1971). A Social History of the Third Reich.
For an effective overview of information on Women in Nazi Germany visit:
- Spartacus Educational, Women in Nazi Germany.
- Alpha History, Women in Nazi Germany.
Statistical Analysis
1| Using the statistical information above develop a set of comparative bar graphs using excel for each of the following issues: Abortion, Birthrates, Education. Complete one bar graph per issue (i.e. Abortion - compare the applications and the approvals between eras).
2| Account for the difference between the statistics on women in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany - what was the intention of Nazi policy changes?
3| Consider the comparison of Weimar and Nazi Germany birthrates above, what do these statistics suggest about the effectiveness Nazi policies designed to bolster birthrates and grow the Aryan race?
2| Account for the difference between the statistics on women in the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany - what was the intention of Nazi policy changes?
3| Consider the comparison of Weimar and Nazi Germany birthrates above, what do these statistics suggest about the effectiveness Nazi policies designed to bolster birthrates and grow the Aryan race?