St.Cenydd History Department

What do you think is meant by…

This phrase was often used by the Nazis to describe their vision of what life for women should be like. As the lesson progresses, see how far they succeeded in creating this vision of a virtuous, domestic and family orientated lifestyle for women within Germany. Virtuous - Having good qualities. Being morally good. Domestic - Spending a lot of time living and working in the home

To compare: Life for women in Weimar and Nazi Germany To find out: What Nazi policies regarding women were Whether Nazi policies regarding women were successfully implemented (carried out)

Read page 65 of your textbook and complete the diagram What was life like for women in Weimar Germany?

Women, as a distinct social group, had a clearly defined place in the Nazi world. In a rally at Nuremberg in 1934 Hitler said that ‘man’s world is the State’, while the ‘world of woman is a smaller world. For her world is her husband, her family, her children and her house.’ Stephen Lee, The European Dictatorships (Routledge, 1987) According to the Nazis how were the roles of men and women different? What does Hitler mean when he states that ‘man’s world is the State?’

In 1929, Goebbels stated: ‘ The mission of women is to be beautiful and to bring children into the world. This is not at all as un-modern as it sounds. The female bird preens herself for her mate and hatches eggs for him. In exchange, the male takes care of gathering food, and stands guard and wards off the enemy.’ Who was Joseph Goebbels and what was his role within Nazi Germany? Discuss the words and description given by Goebbels.

Why do you think that Goebbels refers to the animal world? What is woman’s role within society (the ‘mission of women’) according to Goebbels? In 1929, Goebbels stated: ‘ The mission of women is to be beautiful and to bring children into the world. This is not at all as un-modern as it sounds. The female bird preens herself for her mate and hatches eggs for him. In exchange, the male takes care of gathering food, and stands guard and wards off the enemy.’

The initial policy was to ease women out of the top levels of the civil service, law, medicine and politics. Women were induced to stay at home by new ‘marriage credits’ and child bonuses. The gradual decline of unemployment, however, created a new demand for labour. The result was the steady recruitment of women into both agriculture and industry, the total reaching 5.2 million by Stephen Lee, The European Dictatorships (Routledge, 1987) How did the Nazis try to ‘ease’ women out of the workplace? Did the Nazis remove women completely from the workplace? Give reasons for your answer using the source and your own knowledge.

Using what you have learnt in this unit complete the diagram What was life like for women in Nazi Germany?

How did life change for women in Germany ? Pre 1933Post 1933 Female doctors and civil servants were sacked Women were free to smoke and wear make-up There were 3000 female doctors The Honour Cross of the German Mother was awarded according to how many children you had Women were told that the ideal husband would be an Aryan Women sat in the Reichstag Married women were encouraged to have children The ideal man was a matter of personal choice Married and unmarried women were encouraged to have children Loans were offered to brides who agreed not to take a job Correct this table – some of them are in the wrong columns Next Activity

Preparing for war...but don't stop having babies! Discuss each fact as a class with your teacher. Do there seem to be some contradictions within Nazi Policy? The Lebensborn Programme: Unmarried mothers 'donated a baby to the Fuhrer'. SS officers would father the children. Next Fact

Preparing for war...but don't stop having babies! Women's employment increased. Employers preferred to employ women - it was cheaper. The Lebensborn Programme: Unmarried mothers 'donated a baby to the Fuhrer'. SS officers would father the children. Next Fact Discuss each fact as a class with your teacher. Do there seem to be some contradictions within Nazi Policy?

Preparing for war...but don't stop having babies! Women's employment increased. Employers preferred to employ women - it was cheaper. Next Fact Discuss each fact as a class with your teacher. Do there seem to be some contradictions within Nazi Policy? The Lebensborn Programme: Unmarried mothers 'donated a baby to the Fuhrer'. SS officers would father the children. Hitler believed that a woman's place was in the home. He wanted women to be at home with the children.

Preparing for war...but don't stop having babies! Women's employment increased. Employers preferred to employ women - it was cheaper. Next Fact Discuss each fact as a class with your teacher. Do there seem to be some contradictions within Nazi Policy? The Lebensborn Programme: Unmarried mothers 'donated a baby to the Fuhrer'. SS officers would father the children. Hitler believed that a woman's place was in the home. He wanted women to be at home with the children. The Nazis encouraged women to have more and more children

Preparing for war...but don't stop having babies! As more men joined the armed forces the Nazis needed more women to go to work Women's employment increased. Employers preferred to employ women - it was cheaper. Hitler believed that a woman's place was in the home. He wanted women to be at home with the children. The Nazis encouraged women to have more and more children Next Activity Discuss each fact as a class with your teacher. Do there seem to be some contradictions within Nazi Policy? The Lebensborn Programme: Unmarried mothers 'donated a baby to the Fuhrer'. SS officers would father the children.

What does this propaganda poster tell you about Nazi beliefs concerning the role of women within Germany? Think: What can you see?

Comment on the atmosphere and mood created by the artist? E.G. Think about the background scene Why do you think that the sun has been placed where it is – taking up much of the background?

What kind of society did the Nazis wish to create? Think about: Family Life Community How does this idyllic scene fit in with The Nazi vision of perfect society?

Task 1 Task 1: Think of three questions you would like to ask about this poster Question 1: Question 2: Question 3:

Task 2 Task 2: Click on the areas of the poster that you would like to explore If you can’t decide click here for help

Task 2 Task 2: Click on the areas of the poster that you would like to explore Try these areas

The National Socialist German Workers Party safeguards the National Community The Party ensures togetherness of the people in the Community.

The eagle represents the Nazi Party. Notice that its wings are wrapped around the family suggesting the family are being protected. The eagle looks very powerful.

The father is shown as the head of the family. He rises above his family with his shirt sleeves rolled up. He is the worker protecting the family. His arms are wrapped around the family, further suggesting he is looking after them.

The mother is shown with a scarf holding her hair back – as if she has been carrying out domestic chores. She is gently cradling her baby and looks both healthy and happy to be surrounded by her family.

The baby provides the central focus of the poster. All of the children conform to the Aryan ideal (blonde hair and fresh complexion, etc). The little girl is close to the mother, and the boy next to his father. They are portrayed as a happy family, with the baby illustrating that this is a growing family.

Comrades, if you need help and assistance ask your local branch of the NSDAP

What can you see in this source? What does this source tell you about Hitler’s and the Nazi’s attitude towards women and the family?

Remember that some women resisted Nazi ideas concerning the role of women within society…. Some women joined opposition political parties such as the Social Democrats, or the Communists in protest Some women spoke out and argued that they had special talents for certain jobs and should not be tied to the home Even though there was very little organised opposition to Hitler some women remained loyal to their church groups and others actively sought employment (usually low paid and mundane jobs) Some women argued that they had an equal right to the same education, jobs and experiences enjoyed by men EN D