Life for Women & the Family in Nazi Germany

These flashcards cover key concepts about the role of women and youth under Nazi Germany, including policies, societal expectations, and the impact of indoctrination.

What was the primary role of women according to the Nazis?

A woman's job was to be a mother and housewife, summarized by the motto '3Ks - Kinder, Kuche, Kirche'.

What was the Law for the Encouragement of Marriage in 1933?

It aimed to increase Germany's population by providing loans to encourage young couples to have at least 4 children.

What award was given to women with large families in Nazi Germany?

The German Motherhood Cross.

What changes were enforced on women's appearance under Nazi ideology?

Women were encouraged to keep healthy, wear their hair in buns or plaits, and discouraged from wearing trousers, make-up, dying their hair, or dieting.

What was the purpose of Lebensborn homes?

They allowed SS men to father Aryan children with unmarried mothers.

How did the birth rate during the Nazi regime compare to the 1920s?

The birth rate increased but remained lower than the rates in the 1920s.

What was the aim of Nazi control over young people?

They wanted young Germans to become loyal Nazis and support Hitler, indoctrinating them with conviction in the Aryan Master Race and anti-Semitism.

What was the role of education under the Nazis?

Education was to create Nazis, teaching favorable views of racial theory like Eugenics and glorifying Germany's past.

What youth organization was led by Baldur von Schirach?

The Hitler Youth.

What activities were included in the Hitler Youth training?

Training for army service, camping, drills, marches, and preparing girls for motherhood.

What was the response of some young people to Nazi youth organizations?

Some rejected the Hitler Youth and joined illegal youth gangs like the Navajos, or the Swing Youth, engaging in anti-Nazi activities.

What was the birth rate in Germany during the Nazi regime compared to the 1920s?

The birth rate during the Nazi regime increased, reaching approximately 1.2 million births in 1933, which was higher than the lowest point of around 850,000 births in 1932, but still lower than the birth rates in the 1920s.

How many children did couples need to have to qualify for financial support under the Law for the Encouragement of Marriage?

Couples needed to have at least 4 children to receive financial support.

By what percentage did the birth rate increase from 1933 to 1939 due to Nazi policies?

The birth rate increased by approximately 30% from 1933 to 1939.

In what year was the German Motherhood Cross first awarded?

The German Motherhood Cross was first awarded in 1938