5. Women in Weimar Germany Flashcards
What slogan was used to describe women during years before WW1? What does it translate into?
“Kinder Küche Kirche” meaning women, kitchen and religion
Who would control marriage of women in pre WW1 Germany?
The father
Were men and women equal in pre ww1 Germany?
No. Legal inequality
Role of women in pre ww1 Germany
Wife and mother
To comfort and please men
What did Germany rely on women for during ww1? Why?
Germany relied on women for manufacturing as there was a shortage of men as they were fighting
Roles of women during ww1
Nurses
Agriculture
What did the new roles of women during ww1 illustrate?
Their capability of carrying out traditionally male roles
During ww1, what was there a legitimate debate about?
Women’s legal status
By 1918, what percentage of women of working age were in employment?
75%
How many German men were killed during ww1?
1.6 million
Affect of lots of men dying during ww1 for women
Many women couldn’t find husbands as there were less men than women. Women formed significant part of population after ww1
What was the role and status of women during pre ww1 Germany summed up by?
The German Civil Code of 1900
What did the 1900 German Civil Code state?
By law:
-Women couldn’t vote
-Single women could study for a profession but could not take the exams to qualify and practice
Legal status of married women before ww1 in Germany
Married women had no legal status. A man had to do any legal business on her behalf
When were women granted the vote?
12th November 1918
How did most political parties react to women being granted the vote?
Most parties supported it
How many women were elected to Reichstag between 1919 and 1932?
112
What did the Weimar Constitution state about women’s rights in the golden years?
Stated they had equal rights
What remained in place during the golden years which shows that the Weimar Government’s attitudes towards women remained traditional?
German Civil Code
What was rising for women during the golden years?
Female employment and job opportunities for women
What became more accepted regarding employment during the golden years?
Single women in work
What did government policy during the golden years state about jobs that women were carrying out after ww1?
They should return the jobs back to returning soldiers
Percentage of working women in 1925 compared to pre ww1
36% in 1925
34% pre ww1
Where married women expected to work during the golden years?
No
