1) Summarise the attitude held by the Nazis towards women.

Provide evidence/quotes from

primary sources to support your answer.
When the Nazis came into power in 1933, they looked to establish their views and beliefs,
one of them being the traditional gender roles. Women were looked at like guardians of the
house and were the parent who took care of the children.
2) Identify the policies, legislation and groups created by the Nazis that related to the role of
women.
They introduced laws such as the encouragement of marriage which provided financial
incentives to make sure people were getting married and having kids. They also introduced
the mothers cross award which looked to reward women for having children by awarding
them medals. The more children you have the greater honour of medal you receive. This
worked to keep women motivated to keep on producing children and make Germany “racially
pure”.
3) What role did propaganda play in changing the role and attitude towards women in Nazi
Germany?
Throughout the rain of the Nazi empire, they sought out to create various propaganda pieces
which encouraged women to follow the traditional gender roles. This was displayed through
movies, posters, speeches, etc to promote the ideal women to be selfless and caring. They
were depicted as guardians of the future generations to come.
4) Explain the major changes to the lives of women during the Nazi period. Provide evidence
to support your response.
Women of the Weimar period had just begun to start seeing the big-time changes in their
productivity towards the economic state of Germany. Over 11 million women were allowed to
be in the workforce which was 36% of all workers during the time. They worked in places
such as factories, hospitals and even the court of law. However, this privilege was taken away
as the Nazis came into power and promoted them to stay home and look after their children
and house.
5) In what ways were the lives of women controlled during the Nazi period?
Through propaganda the lives of women were controlled. The strict enforcement of sticking to
the gender roles left women to have no choice but to stay home. Rewards such as the
“mothers cross” and the “encouragement of marriage” also encouraged women to keep their
roles as they were either being paid or rewarded in medals for their contribution. Women who
did not conform to these social norms either faced social stigma or sometimes even
prosecution.