Feminism and Nazism in Germany During 1930s - Research Proposal Example

 Feminism and Nazism in Germany During 1930s Introduction As is well known, German Nazism used a special kind of fascist ideology, the main task of which was to promote the development and strengthening of the Aryan race in the face of the German people as well as the destruction of all the backward peoples, including the Jewish1. In turn, it suggested certain methods of influence on particular cultural, social, political, religious, and economic spheres of life of the German population. Feminism as a social phenomenon had no opportunities for its development within Nazi Germany during the 30s since it did not fit the ideology of the regime2. At that time, the ideology of German Nazism considered women primarily as a biological basis for the continuation of the Aryan race3. In other words, women were regarded as mothers and wives, and their main objective was seen in the birth of children meeting all the criteria of the Aryan race. As soon as Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933, he began pursuing a policy of Nazism. As indicated above, its mission was to promote the prosperity of the Aryan race, which was seen in the German people, and the destruction of non-Aryan peoples. The task of each member of the German society was to contribute to the development and prosperity of Germany. German Nazism saw the main task of the men in the defense of the national interests of the country and participation in hostilities, which were also considered the protection of national interests4. In turn, the value of women was inextricably linked with childbirth as one of the main guarantor of prosperity of the Aryan race5. As a result, women were responsible for the birth of healthy children in full compliance with the criteria of the Aryan race. It should be mentioned that Hitler and his team tried to show the world community and the German people that they were doing everything possible to restore gender equality in Germany. From the words of Hitler, patriarchal distribution of social roles between men and women were rather consistent with this policy. In particular, Hitler stated that “when our opponents say: You degrade women by assigning them no other task than that of childbearing, then I answer that it is not degrading to a woman to be a mother. On the contrary, it is her greatest honour. There is nothing nobler for a woman than to be the mother of the sons and daughters of the people.”6 Thus, officially Hitler's regime recognized the equality of the sexes in German society and sought to strengthen it, but in reality the situation was absolutely opposite. Although women were granted the right to vote, their place in society was determined by the patriarchal view of the social role of women. In the 30s of the last century to the beginning of World War II, Nazi Germany carried out an anti-feminist politics, forcing women to be primarily exemplary mothers and wives7. Women were supposed to be beautiful, healthy, and have children only from Aryan men. Otherwise, they were subject to sterilization that killed large numbers of women. In addition, the women were forbidden to have an abortion and use contraception.8 Moreover, Hitler considered the possibility of polygamy in order to implement the plan of increasing the number of the Aryan people. Rigid framework in which German women lived during the 30s led to the fact that they were limited in their ability to professional and career growth. Given that the early years of Nazi Germany in accordance with the Nazi ideology demanded an increase in the number of Germans, often women were not allowed to work. Pursuing a policy of patriarchy, the German authorities did everything possible to secure the most positive and respectful attitude to the role of mothers among the German population. To this end, mothers of large families were rewarded with all sorts of awards. They also received a variety of social benefits. Nevertheless, by the end of the 30s and early 40s, the situation began to change. German’s participation in World War II resulted in various types of costs and losses including economic. It demanded the entire nation (including women) to be involved in provision of resources, producing various necessities of equipment, etc. For this reason, it can be argued that “Nazi ideology on women was, like Nazi ideology in general, a strange mixture of traditional conservative ideas, vague longings for a mythical past and acceptance of the needs of a modern economy.”9 One cannot say that women did not attempt to fight for gender equality defending an opportunity to adjust their employment and family issues based on their preferences and beliefs. Women refused to have large families and perform only domestic duties. The main part of the female rebels was represented by the supporters of socialism, communism, and Catholicism. Nevertheless, due to a number of reasons female protests failed, and feminism has lost its influence in Germany in the early 30s of the last century.10 Conclusion During the 30s of the 20th century, Nazi regime regulated the life of the German population in accordance with the purpose of increasing in the number of the Aryan race. Each member of the German society was regarded not as a carrier of individual interests and needs, but as an essential element of German society obliged to contribute to its development. In this context, women were considered as “productive” elements responsible for the birth of the true Aryans. In this respect, gender inequality was presented by a patriarchal social system in which women performed certain duties and had little opportunity for professional and career development. Given the brutality of the Nazi regime in its quest for the realization of the main goal, all attempts of feminism to restore gender equality in society (boycotts, strikes, rejections of having large families and so forth.) were doomed to failure. Bibliography Gupta, Charu, “Politics of Gender: Women in Nazi Germany,” Economic and Political Weekly 26, no.17 (1991): 40-48. Accessed September 23, 2014. http://www.academia.edu/2185103/Politics_of_Gender_Women_in_Nazi_Germany Read More