Gender and World War 1

Fin-de-siècle Malaise

Translates to the end of the century and malaise, reflecting a sense of fear and worry prevalent at the turn of the century.

Social Darwinism

The belief that only the fittest and strongest individuals or races survive, often used to justify discrimination against certain groups.

Futurists

A group of writers and artists, originating from Milan, Italy, led by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, who rejected the past and advocated for a future-oriented approach.

Nationalism

An intense pride in one's country often associated with a sense of superiority over others.

Triple Entente

An alliance consisting of France, Britain, and Russia during World War I, later joined by Italy and the United States.

Central Powers

Alliance comprising Austria, Germany, and later the Ottomans during World War I.

Trench Warfare

A type of combat during World War I characterized by fighting from trenches, with minimal movement and high casualties.

Shell Shock

A term used during World War I (modernly known as PTSD) to describe the psychological trauma experienced by soldiers after combat.

League of German Girls (BDM)

An organization in Nazi Germany that aimed to educate young German girls on traditional gender roles and prepare them for motherhood and domestic duties.

Kinsey Reports

Studies conducted by Alfred Kinsey that explored sexual behavior in the United States, challenging traditional norms and beliefs about sexuality and marriage.

Black Hand

 nationalist, terrorist org. That emerges to disable the fight with Austria. Young radicals

Triple Entente:

Consists of France, Britain, and Russia, later joined by Italy in 1915, then By the United States later on

 Central Powers:

Austria, Germany, and later in the war Ottomans

The Spirit of 1914

National Unity consists of women men, and older people in society. That their nation will win.

• The media told women to be proud of the men contributing to the war 

• Young men are excited to go to war and see it as an opportunity to prove masculinity and become a hero

Great War

WW1

• People thought it would only take a few months, but instead goes for 4 more years

Two Masculine Identity:

Heroic identity: associated with the battlefront and men were expected to fight in the war, giving a white feather to a male means coward.

Be good sons, husbands, and fathers because of protecting their families, connected to the home 

Shell Shock: (modern term is PTSD)

When men came back from war, they are damaged 

• A disorder diagnosed when soldiers come back from war

Dorothy Lawrence

• Female writer

• Disguised herself as a man and called herself Dennis Smith 

• Stayed 10 whole days and joined the tunneling unit 

• She got sent back home and wrote a memoir 

• Treated as a spy returning home and dismissed the case 

Maria Bochkareva 

• Formed a military unit known as the “Russian Women’s Battalion of Death”

• Had over 300 women members and was made possible due to the Russian Revolution

• Permitted to do this with the government they can fight 

• Women inspired by nationalism 

Hitler Youth 

• Organization for young German boys and participated in shooting drills, politics, military and physical fitness

• 100,000 members 1933

• Then 1 million 1936

Degenerative Art

deemed undesirable by the Nazi party 

Kathe Kollwitiz

makes a painting of the effects of WW1 on women

Womens Responsibilities 

1. Kinder - childern 

2. Kuche - kitchen

3. Kirche - church 

Cross of Honor of the German Mother

an award given to German mothers for raising or giving birth to healthy strong children. Three awards Bronze (4-5 children), Sliver (6-7 children), and Gold (8 or more children). Done on Mother's Day 

Tracht

( traditional folk costume) - worn by women with and natural organic look to it. 

• Makeup is seen as anti-German, as well as French clothing 

• Have to be physically fit and be outdoors

• Clothing is a look at the past and supports German history 

The League of German Girls (BDM)

 the role of being a good mother and wife, being passive and obedient towards men, and being taught what their mothers would do ( cooking and taking care of children). 

Weimar Republic

a lively gay community within the group, almost homosexual behavior is almost decriminalized but the Nazis came

Josef Kohout

wrote a memoir called “The Men with the Pink Triangle” 

Bolsheviks

a political group operating in Russia that supports the Soviets 

Soviets

part of the Bolsheviks, are part workers committees that ran factories instead of Bousigze management 

Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany)

controlled by the United States, Britain, and France

Berlin Wall

 The anti-fascist protective barrier

German Democratic Republic (East Germany)

controlled by the USSR

Kitchen Debate 1959

Nixion visited Moscow an American exhibit to show Russians how American families live 

Containment Culture and Gender - The United States wants to contain communism so it doesn't come into the United States 

Nuclear Family

describes an American family. White mother, father, and two children. The core of the United States. The idea is to encourage fallout shelters