Women Knowledge Flashcards
Increasing the birth rate
Why has the birth rate decreased to 1 million?
Germany’s birth rate had fallen to 1 million births a year, a main cause of this was due to the number of young men who had died in WWI.
Increasing the birth rate
How did propaganda help with the birth rate?
Propaganda regularly focused on raising the status of mothers and housewives.
Increasing the birth rate
How could a women receive the Mothers Cross?
To receive a bronze medal, the mother must give birth to 5 children, to receive a silver medal, the mother must give birth to 7 children, and to receive a gold medal, the mother must give birth to 9 children.
Increasing the birth rate
How many crosses were given out?
Approximately 4.7 million crosses had been awarded in the years of 1938-44.
Increasing the birth rate
What was the Lebensborn Project?
The Lebensborn Project focussed on attracting unmarried, pregnant ‘Aryan’ women, in hopes of preventing them from having an illegal abortion. This program offered the mothers financial support and adoption services.
- the program created specific spaces where they could avoid judgement and live comfortably. They were provided with prenatal care, delivery aid and recovery from their labour.
Increasing the birth rate
How many abortions were estimated to happen?
Himmler, who was incharge of the project had estimated that 100,000 “biologically valuable” German women obtained abortions illegally each year.
Increasing the birth rate
How many children came out of the project?
Only around 7,000 children were born into the Lebensborn homes during the programs nine-year-long existence.
Increasing the birth rate
What happened with childless couples?
Childless couples were forced to pay higher taxes as they were not doing their part in ensuring that the Aryan race lived on.
Increasing the birth rate
What was paragraphs 219 and 220?
In May 1933, a law reintroduced paragraphs 219 and 220 of the Criminal Code in a new form which provided a punishment of up to 2 years imprisonment or a fine for anyone offering abortion facilities.
Increasing the birth rate
What did the Nazis place restrictions on?
The Nazis placed restrictions on abortion and contraception, as contraception was banned and abortion clinics were closed down.
Increasing the birth rate
What was the annual abortion rate?
The annual abortion rate was still 600,000 by 1933.
There was still half a million to a million abortions annually.
Increasing the birth rate
What did an officer in the SS estimate for the abortion rates?
It was evaluated by a staff officer in the SS who had estimated that in 1936 as many as 500,000 abortions had been performed.
Increase Aryan marriages
What was the double earners campaign?
The government launched a campaign against ‘double earners’, employing women whose husbands or fathers worked
Increasing Aryan marriages
What happened in September 1935 in regards to marriage?
In September 1935, the Nuremburg Laws forbade the marriage of an ‘Aryan’ with a Jew. Alongside this law, there was the passing of the Law for ‘Protection of German Blood and German Honour of 1935’ which also forbade marriage between Aryans and people of colour and roma.
Increasing Aryan marriages
What was interracial marriages like in the years 1932-39?
Of those who married in 1932, 65.1% of Jews were in interracial marriages. However, as soon as the Nazis came into power, intermarriage in Germany plummeted. By 1939, only 20.6% of new marriages involving Jews were mixed.
