Class, Gender, and Religion

Rigid class separation and considerable friction among the classes characterized pre-World War I German society. Aristocratic landowners looked down on middle and working class Germans and only grudgingly associated with wealthy businessmen and industrialists. Members of the middle class guarded their status and considered themselves to be superior to factory workers. The cooperation between middle and working class citizens, which had broken the aristocracy's monopoly of power in England, had not developed in Germany. In Weimar Germany, class distinctions, while somewhat modified, were still important. In particular, the middle class battled to preserve their higher social status and monetary advantages over the working class. 

Gender issues were also controversial as some women's groups and the left-wing political parties attempted to create more equality between the sexes. The constitution mandated considerable gender equality, but tradition and the civil and criminal codes were still strongly patriarchal and contributed to perpetuating inequality. Marriage and divorce laws and questions of morality and sexuality were all areas of ferment and debate.

Weimar Germany had a population that was about 65% Protestant, 34 % Catholic and 1% Jewish. After German unification in 1871, the government had strongly favored the two major Protestant Churches, Lutheran and Reformed, which thought of themselves as state-sponsored churches. At the same time, the government had harassed and restricted the Catholic Church. Although German Catholics had only seen restrictions slowly lifted in the pre-World War I period, they nevertheless demonstrated their patriotism in World War I. German Jews, who had faced centuries of persecution and restriction, finally achieved legal equality in 1871. Jews also fought in record numbers during World War I and many distinguished themselves in combat. Antisemites refused to believe the army’s own figures and records and accused the Jews of undermining the war effort. The new legal equality of the Weimar period did not translate into social equality, and the Jews remained the "other" in Germany.

Catholics and Jews both benefited from the founding of the Weimar Republic. Catholics entered the government in leadership positions, and Jews participated actively in Weimar cultural life. Many Protestant clergymen resented the loss of their privileged status. While many slowly accepted the new Republic, others were never reconciled to it. Both Protestant and Catholic clergy were suspicious of the Socialists who were a part of the ruling group in Weimar and who often voiced Marxist hostility toward religion. Conflicts over religion and education and religion and gender policies were often intense during the Weimar years. The growth of the Communist Party in Germany alarmed Protestant and Catholic clergy, and the strong support the Catholic Center Political Party had given to the Republic weakened in the last years of the Republic. While Jews had unprecedented opportunities during the Weimar period, their accomplishments and increased visibility added resentment to long-standing prejudices and hatreds and fueled a growing antisemitism.

“Please, doctor. I’ve missed my monthly…”

Why, this is simply great!

If I may put it bluntly

You’re raising our birthrate.

“Please, doctor, now we’re homeless…”

But you’ll have a bed somewhere

So best put your feet up, moan less

And force yourself to grin and bear.

You’ll make a simply splendid little mummy

Producing cannon-fodder from your tummy

That’s what your body’s for, and you know it, what’s more

And it’s laid down by law

And now get this straight:

You’ll soon be a mother, just wait.

“But, doctor, no job or dwelling:

My man would find kids the last staw…”

No, rather a new compelling

Objective to work for.

“But, doctor…” Really, Frau Griebel

I ask myself what this means

You see, our state needs people

To operate our machines.

You’ll make a simply splendid little mummy

Producing factory fodder form your tummy

That’s what your body’s for,

And you know it, what’s more

And it’s laid down by law

And now get this straight:

You’ll soon be a mother, just wait.

“But, doctor, there’s such unemployment…”

I can’t follow what you say. 

You’re all out for enjoyment

Then grumble at having to pay.

If we make a prohibition

You bet we’ve a purpose in mind.

Better recognize your condition

And once you’ve agreed to put yourself in our hands, you'll find

You’re a simply splendid little mummy

Producing cannon fodder from your tummy

That’s what your body’s for,

And you know it, what’s more

And it’s laid down by law

And now get this straight:

You’ll soon be a mother,

Just wait.