Social Changes for Women

What happened to the lives of women in the Weimar Republic?

Between 1924 and 1929, women in the Weimar Republic enjoyed more social, political and economic freedom but there were limitations.

What happened to a woman's life politically in the Weimar Republic?

There were 3 main political changes to the lives of women in the Weimar Republic:

• ❖ Women aged 21 years and over were given the right to vote.
• ❖ There were 112 female members of the Reichstag by 1932.
• ❖ The constitution gave women and men equal rights. Women gained more political rights.

What happened to a woman's life economically in the Weimar Republic?

Women's lives did not change that much in terms of economics and work:

• ❖ In 1918, 75% of women were working - mainly because of the First World War - but this figure dropped to 36% by 1925.
• ❖ Despite gaining political equality with men in the constitution, women were paid less than men.
• ❖ Women found it difficult to have a professional career. There were few female judges but women were more successful in medicine and education.

What happened to women's lives socially in the Weimar Republic?

There were 2 key social changes to the lives of women in the Weimar Republic:

• ❖ Young women had more job opportunities if they lived in a town or city.
• ❖ Some women's behaviour changed and they spent more money on clothes, make-up, smoking, drinking and going out.

What problems were created because of the changes women experienced in the Weimar Republic?

The social, political and economic changes women experienced led to 2 key problems:

• ❖ Despite women's rights being protected in the constitution, it did not mean women had equality in reality. For example, women still earned less than men.
• ❖ Some people thought women should not be challenging men's roles. For example, trade unions didn't like women workers.