Author: JOHN WISHART

The treatment of women in the Third Reich
The Nazis had definite ideas about the role of women in society: their place was very much in the home, as child bearers and supporters of their husbands. Women had a role which was entirely separate from that of men and there was therefore no question of equality - they were different. As a result of these views, women were squeezed out of a large number of jobs shortly after Hitler came to power. The first to go were women doctors and civil servants. The number of women teachers declined. From 1936 no woman could be a judge or prosecutor and they were even removed from jury service on the grounds that they would be unable to think logically and without emotion.

Source 1
Woman has the task of being beautiful and bringing children into the world… the female bird preens herself for her mate and hatches eggs for him.
Goebbels’ view of the role of women

Source 2
Equal rights for women means that they receive the esteem they deserve in the sphere nature has assigned to them.
Hitler’s view on the ‘equality’ of women

How did women react?
Women reacted in different ways.
Some had always been happy to remain in a domestic role.
Some became convinced by Nazi propaganda.
Many resented the changes but had little option but to conform.
Some went so far as to protest e.g. a few women joined opposition groups such as the Social Democrats or Communists. Those who protested were disciplined.
When the war started in 1939 things changed a bit for women - more women were employed in factories - though this was largely due to the shortage of men, who were now needed for fighting. These women were paid less than men and usually carried out the menial tasks.
Did the family benefit from Nazi rule?
The family was given a special place in the Nazi state:
The Nazis banned birth control clinics, contraception and abortion.
They encouraged large families by providing financial incentives such as marriage loans, family allowances and child subsidies.
An award was given to women who had many children - the Honour Cross of the German Mother.
At the other extreme, childless couples were encouraged to divorce so that the fertile partner could have the chance to have children in the future.
Effects on family life
To preserve the purity of the racial stock, anyone suffering a hereditary defect such as mental illness, epilepsy or blindness was sterilized. Couples were under great pressure to have children. Young boys were taught to believe that women were subservient.
What do sources 1 and 2 suggest about Nazi attitudes to women?
Do you think Nazi policies benefited women and the family? (Explain using examples)

Women tended to be more conservative and hate violence. The Nazis promised Law and Order / Many who voted for the Nazis were attracted by promises to get Germany back on to its feet again and get people back to work / Marriage loans were given to couples and women who gave up their jobs from 1933 / Nazi organisations supported the family by : distributing food aid ; giving medals to prolific mothers ; providing maternity homes for the weeks after childbirth ; running kindergartens to look after children / The Nazi Government did NOT FORCE women out of work from 1933-39	Divorce was encouraged for unproductive marriages / The Nazis were aiming to reduce female employment / The birth rate only rose slowly and then actually fell back / The Nazi racial and sterilisation policies reduced the birth rate further / During the war women were less mobilised than in Britain or USA– Hitler refused female conscription ; the government had to reverse policies and encourage female employment / In 1933 Nazism was less supported among women—though it became more popular