Charity, Challenge, and Change: Religious Dimensions of the Mid-Nineteenth Century Women's Movement in Germany (Contributions in Women's Studies)

This book examines the religious context from which emerged the German women's movement in the mid-nineteenth century. During this period, Protestant and Catholic women alike began to participate in philanthropic activities such as nursing, childcare, and education. Alliances were formed between women of different faiths who desired to move beyond the feminization of charity to a participation in social change. While women continued to perform charitable work, they also became involved in the development of a new philosophy of early childhood which led to the kindergarten movement, and championed the introduction of higher education for women. Using extensive archival research, Catherine M. Prelinger has cast new light on the roots of the contemporary women's movement in Germany through her analysis of the religious basis of its struggle. Frontmatter Preface (page ix) Abbreviations (page xix) Chapter 1. Protestant Philanthropy: A Male Preserve Admits Women (page 1) Chapter 2. Benevolent Visiting: Feminized Philanthropy in the Service of Orthodoxy (page 29) Chapter 3. Inter-Confessional Expectations of Women in Hamburg (page 55) Chapter 4. Philanthropy and Education: An Agenda for Women Allied Against Prejudice (page 79) Chapter 5. From Hamsburg to Germany: Appeal to the Feminist Press (page 105) Chapter 6. The Challenge of Social Change (page 127) Conclusion: Reaction, Repression, Cooptation (page 159) Selected Bibliography (page 177) Index (page 197)