Evaluate the extent to which the National Socialist revolution 1933-1939 impacted German social and cultural life
The Nazi regime saw the start of a revolution that would change German society and culture. Hitler’s rise to and control of government had a significant effect on social and cultural life in the period of 1933-1939. Given the tyrannical nature of the Nazi regime, many aspects were purposely impacted specifically women, youth, religion, literature, art, cinema and music. Hitler began imposing changes on social and culture life from the start, with the justification of returning Germany to its former glory whilst still transforming it into his desired volksgemeinschaft.
The regime of Nazism had a significant effect on women as they were now believed to be weaker and inferior.[footnoteRef:1] Despite this view, women were important to Hitler’s Volksgemeinschaft because they insured the growth of the population especially in preparation for war. The role of the women in Nazi Germany was the role of motherhood. As once said my Goebbels “The mission of women is to be beautiful and to bring children into the world”[footnoteRef:2]. The Nazi attitude towards women was seen in the slogan, ‘Kinder, Kuche, Kirche[footnoteRef:3]’ which translates to Children, Kitchen, Church. To encourage woman to have more children, Hitler made birth grants higher so that women would be rewarded to have larger families. Particular professions were closed to women such as doctors, lawyers and senior civil servants. The Nazi’s relaxed the restrictions on women as policies on the work front were conflicting with Nazi objectives of rearmament. Thus the national socialist revolution had a significant impact on social and cultural life specifically women as the role of a woman was altered to meet the ideals of a Nazi woman in the desired volksgemeinschaft. [1: Republic to Reich A history of Germany 1918-1939- KJ Mason & Philip Fielden published 2007] [2: THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN NAZI GERMANY - HISTORY LEARNING SITE (History Learning Site, 2018) Available at: https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/nazi-germany/the-role-of-women-in-nazi-germany/ [Accessed 24 Apr. 2018].] [3: HOW DID THE NAZIS TREAT WOMEN? (ThoughtCo, 2018)Available at: https://www.thoughtco.com/nazis-and-women-1221068 [Accessed 29 Apr. 2018].]
The Youth of Germany were greatly affected by the National socialist revolution they were the future of Germany. For the Reich to sustain, it was essential for the regime to gain the loyalty of the next generation[footnoteRef:4]. For this reason, the Nazis placed great importance on controlling the youth of Germany to be strong[footnoteRef:5]. As Hitler said “The weak must be chiselled away. I want young men and women who can suffer pain. A young German must be as swift as a greyhound, as tough as leather, and as hard as Krupp’s steel”[footnoteRef:6]. After Hitler came to power all other youth organisations were closed leaving only the Hitler Youth and ...
