The Motherhood Cross
Background Info
In Nazi German culture, women were confined to a specific role in society. The women were to stay home and take care of the children while the men of the families worked. Hitler firmly supported this belief and place extreme emphasis on it through different avenues.
For More information about women and their role in German culture, visit this website.
In Nazi German culture, women were confined to a specific role in society. The women were to stay home and take care of the children while the men of the families worked. Hitler firmly supported this belief and place extreme emphasis on it through different avenues.
For More information about women and their role in German culture, visit this website.
Origins
Once Hitler came to power in 1933, one of the very first laws that he had passed was the Law for the Encouragement of Marriage. This law place emphasis on newlywed couples having as many children as they could. If a couple enrolled in the program, then they would receive a loan of 900 marks. If a couple had once child than, they only have to pay back 25% of the loan, two children meant only 50% was owed, and four children meant that the entire loan was payed off. An underlying reason for this law was that the more children women had, the more soldiers Germany had later on when they wanted to expand.
Once Hitler came to power in 1933, one of the very first laws that he had passed was the Law for the Encouragement of Marriage. This law place emphasis on newlywed couples having as many children as they could. If a couple enrolled in the program, then they would receive a loan of 900 marks. If a couple had once child than, they only have to pay back 25% of the loan, two children meant only 50% was owed, and four children meant that the entire loan was payed off. An underlying reason for this law was that the more children women had, the more soldiers Germany had later on when they wanted to expand.
The Award
The Motherhood Cross was an award given to women on August 12 (Birthday of Hitler's Mother) of every year. The Motherhood Cross was given to women who had produced the largest number of children. A women would receive a gold cross if she had given birth to eight children, a silver medal was given to women who had produce six children, and a bronze medal was given to mothers who had given birth to four children. The Motherhood Cross was an appealing incentive to women to produce more children.
The Motherhood Cross was an award given to women on August 12 (Birthday of Hitler's Mother) of every year. The Motherhood Cross was given to women who had produced the largest number of children. A women would receive a gold cross if she had given birth to eight children, a silver medal was given to women who had produce six children, and a bronze medal was given to mothers who had given birth to four children. The Motherhood Cross was an appealing incentive to women to produce more children.
Quotes regarding women and their role in Nazi Germany
"Take hold of kettle, broom and pan,
Then you’ll surely get a man!
Shop and office leave alone, Your true life work lies at home."
"In the Germanic nations there has never been anything else than equality of rights for women. Both sexes have their rights, their tasks, and these tasks were in the case of each equal in dignity and value, and therefore man and woman were on an equality." Hitler in 1935
"The mission of women is to be beautiful and to bring children into the world. This is not at all as.........unmodern as it sounds. The female bird pretties herself for her mate and hatches eggs for him. In exchange, the male takes care of gathering food, and stands guard and wards off the enemy." Joseph Goebbels, writing in 1929.
"Take hold of kettle, broom and pan,
Then you’ll surely get a man!
Shop and office leave alone, Your true life work lies at home."
"In the Germanic nations there has never been anything else than equality of rights for women. Both sexes have their rights, their tasks, and these tasks were in the case of each equal in dignity and value, and therefore man and woman were on an equality." Hitler in 1935
"The mission of women is to be beautiful and to bring children into the world. This is not at all as.........unmodern as it sounds. The female bird pretties herself for her mate and hatches eggs for him. In exchange, the male takes care of gathering food, and stands guard and wards off the enemy." Joseph Goebbels, writing in 1929.