The Disappearing Surplus: The Spinster In The Post-War Debate In Weimar Germany, 1918-1920

‘A foolish dream of sisterhood’: Anti-Pacifist Debates in the German Women’s Movement, 1914–1919

“…95 In January 1919, Bäumer wrote that "there is nothing more valuable than the creation of an inner unity of our people […] no national demand is more important than this". 96 In May 1919, she stressed community as the highest priority of public life, setting spiritual, inner values against the violence and materialism of the times and claiming a central role for women in this endeavour.…”

Gender and the First World War

“…Post-war society in Germany was economically, politically, and culturally unstable, violent, and traumatized by the defeat and the terms of the peace, and the BDF saw its primary post-war mission as overcoming these deeply damaging inner divisions. 95 In January 1919, Bäumer wrote that 'there is nothing more valuable than the creation of an inner unity of our people […] no national demand is more important than this.' 96 In May 1919, she stressed community as the highest priority of public life, setting spiritual, inner values against the violence and materialism of the times and claiming a central role for women in this endeavour.…”

Women in Politics and the Public Sphere: Munich 1918/1919

“…The workplace councils drew from trade unions, bodies which had long excluded women and, due to demobilization practices 26 that prioritized jobs for returning soldiers over women, became increasingly male. 32 Munich also had a 'Frauenrat' (Women's Council) and a 'Rat geistiger Arbeiter' (Council of Intellectual Workers) that formed part of the soldiers' and workers' councils. The effects of the segregation of women into a separate council will be discussed in this article.…”