Hitler and Nazi Germany Women in Nazi Germany

Hitler and Nazi Germany Women in Nazi Germany

Women in Nazi Germany In today’s class, I am learning to: • Describe Nazi attitudes towards women in society • Describe Nazi actions which affected women in Germany

Women in Nazi Germany had limited opportunities and were expected to focus their lives on ‘Kinder, Kuche, Kirche’ (children, kitchen, church).

Women in Nazi Germany The 1920 s saw an expansion of women’s rights. All across Europe and the world many women gained the right to vote in elections, or worked in new jobs. The Nazis aimed to reverse many of these changes, forcing women to fit in with Nazi belief.

Women in Nazi Germany During the Nazis’ rise to power women were more likely than men to vote Nazi. This may have been because of Nazi women’s groups, and propaganda aimed at women, or women benefitting from Nazi food parcels during the Depression.

Women in Nazi Germany was an extremely sexist place. Women had crucial roles in society – but those tasks were very limited. The Nazis believed that a woman’s purpose was to have many children, and then look after husband family.

Women in Nazi Germany Employment and higher education were not seen as important for women. Women had a limited education, and they were encouraged to give up their jobs, although this changed due to World War Two when the Nazis needed more workers.

Women in Nazi Germany The Nazis wanted a higher birth rate to produce the mothers, workers and soldiers of the future. Loans and grants were given to encourage marriage and births. The Mother’s Cross Medal was given to women that had four or more children.

Women in Nazi Germany The Nazis tried other methods to get more children born in Germany. The Lebensborn (Life Springs) programme saw young, healthy German women encouraged to have babies with SS members, but the children did not stay with them afterwards.

Women in Nazi Germany The Nazis wanted more marriages, leading to more children. Marriage loans were available for the unemployed. However marriages between Germans and Jews were outlawed and such couples faced prison if they kept living together.

Women in Nazi Germany Education was used to influence women. Girls were given lessons on school on homemaking, with a similar focus in Nazi girl groups. University places for women were limited to 10%, but this changed during World War Two because of the need for skilled workers.

Women in Nazi Germany Women were stopped from working as civil servants, doctors, lawyers or judges. When women left their jobs they were not counted as being unemployed. Women were also banned from serving as members of the Reichstag or being part of a courtroom jury.

Women in Nazi Germany Women’s lives were controlled by the Nazis in other ways too. They were encouraged to wear only simple, plain clothes. Also women wearing make up and trousers was discouraged, as was smoking in public.

Women in Nazi Germany Jewish women especially suffered under Nazi rule. Like other Jews they were forced from their jobs and prevented from using facilities such as public transport. Later some were forced to live in poor areas called ghettos.

Women in Nazi Germany Jewish women were also stripped of their citizenship, and told who they could or couldn’t marry. Adult female Jews also had to add ‘Sara’ to official documents to show they were Jewish.