Nazi policies towards women and education

• Nazi policies towards women:

  Women were expected to fulfil their biological and domestic duties by:

  • having as many children as possible, raising them as loyal Germans who were eager to serve and sacrifice for the community.
  • looking after their husbands and running their homes in an efficient manner.
  • prioritising raising a family over having a job and career.
  • avoiding make-up and fashion by dressing traditionally.
  • staying fit, healthy and fertile.
• Nazi policies towards women:

  The Nazis encouraged women to fulfil their biological and domestic duties in many ways:

  • propaganda emphasised the importance of motherhood. Honour crosses for motherhood were awarded (bronze for 4 children, silver for 6 and gold for 8 )
  • contraception was harder to access and banned in 1941.
  • dieting, smoking and drinking were discouraged as harmful to fertility.
  • marriage loans encouraged women to stop work and start a family. Repayments were reduced every time a child was born.
  • divorces became easier so women would be able to remarry and have even more children.
• Nazi policies towards women:

  Achievement in aims for women:

  In 1933, 970,000 babies were born. By 1939, this had rose to 1,413,000.

  Women were restricted in certain careers. Married female doctors and civil servants were sacked in 1933. There was a drop in women teachers. By 1936, women lawyers couldn't argue cases or be judges. The number of women in university reduced from 1 in 5 in 1933 to 1 in 10 in 1935.
• Nazi policies towards women:

  Failure in aims for women:

  Birth rates were still below those of the Weimar Republic. Total numbers of women working increased from 1933 to 1939. When the war broke out, this increased even further. Many women, specifically in the cities, continued to follow fashion, wear make-up, smoke and drink.
• Nazi policies on education - lessons:

  • Racial Science - emphasised the hierarchy of races. Jewish were inferior and a threat to the superior Aryan race.
  • History - emphasised Germany being 'stabbed in the back' during WW1.
  • Geography - emphasised how land was 'unfairly' taken due to the Treaty of Versailles.
  • PE - increased to create healthy Germans. Boys needed to be fit for the military and girls for motherhood.
  • Girls - focused on housework and running a home.
• Nazi policies on education - teachers:

  • Teachers joined the National Socialist Teachers' League.
  • Teachers taught a curriculum controlled by the Nazis.
  • Teachers who refused to do this were sacked.