The mission of women is to be beautiful and to bring children into the world
Joseph Goebbels
Study Guide
1. Nazi Ideology and WomenNazi beliefs about women were rooted in the idea that men and women had separate spheres:
Key AimsNazi policies sought to:
2. Nazi Policies Toward WomenA. Encouraging Marriage & Births
B. Restricting Women’s RolesTo direct women back to the home, the Nazis introduced:
C. Racial Policy & WomenWomen were seen as the key to “racial purity”:
3. Women’s OrganisationsWhen the Nazis came to power, independent women’s groups were banned.
The Nazi Women’s Organisation (NSF)
4. Impact of Nazi Policies on WomenPositive for some women
5. Changes During the War (1939–45)Initially, the Nazis were reluctant to use women in the workforce.
But as the war intensified:
1. Nazi Ideology and WomenNazi beliefs about women were rooted in the idea that men and women had separate spheres:
- Men → politics, work, military
- Women → home, children, family
Key AimsNazi policies sought to:
- Increase the birth rate
- Strengthen the family
- Ensure racial purity
- Remove women from political and professional life
2. Nazi Policies Toward WomenA. Encouraging Marriage & Births
- Marriage Loans (1933)
Interest‑free loans for Aryan couples who married and promised that women would leave work.- A quarter of the loan was cancelled per child.
- The Mother’s Cross (Ehrenkreuz)
Awards given annually:- Bronze – 4 children
- Silver – 6 children
- Gold – 8 children
- Propaganda
Women were glorified as mothers in posters, films, and speeches.
B. Restricting Women’s RolesTo direct women back to the home, the Nazis introduced:
- 1933 Civil Service Law → many women removed from government jobs
- Restrictions on university admissions → female numbers capped
- Discouragement of working outside the home
- Ban on women working as:
- Judges
- Lawyers
- Members of the Reichstag
- Encouraged: natural look, simple clothing, motherhood
- Discouraged: dyed hair, makeup, trousers, smoking in public
C. Racial Policy & WomenWomen were seen as the key to “racial purity”:
- Restrictions on marriages
Only “racially pure” Aryans could marry each other. - Lebensborn Program (from 1935)
Homes where “racially pure” unmarried women could give birth; encouraged by SS involvement.
3. Women’s OrganisationsWhen the Nazis came to power, independent women’s groups were banned.
The Nazi Women’s Organisation (NSF)
- Trained women in household skills, childcare, and Nazi values.
- Promoted the Nazi ideal of womanhood.
- Prepared girls for motherhood and domestic roles:
- Physical fitness
- Racial purity teachings
- Domestic training
4. Impact of Nazi Policies on WomenPositive for some women
- Financial incentives for marriage and motherhood
- Sense of community through organised groups
- Loss of jobs and independence
- Pressure to conform to Nazi ideals
- Limited education and career opportunities
- Racial discrimination: Jewish women faced persecution and exclusion
5. Changes During the War (1939–45)Initially, the Nazis were reluctant to use women in the workforce.
But as the war intensified:
- Labour shortages forced change
Women were recruited into:- Factories
- Agriculture (Land Girls)
- Administrative work
- Auxiliaries in the armed forces
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Mutterkreuz (Mother's Cross)
Hitler was very concerned with increasing the birth-rate in Germany which had declined after the First World War. The Nazi regime organised a propaganda campaign which aimed to encourage women to have as many children as possible. They were rewarded in this with a medal according to how many children they had produced. Should a woman be particularly successful in this respect there were other rewards too. For example, Hitler would be the godfather of any tenth child in a family. |
