From Nurturing the Nation to Purifying the Volk: Weimar and Nazi Family Policy, 1918-1945 (Publications of the German Historical Institute)

Fearing that the future of the nation was at stake following the First World War, German policymakers vastly expanded social welfare programs to shore up women and families. Just over a decade later, the Nazis seized control of the state and created a radically different, racially driven gender and family policy. This book explores Weimar and Nazi policy to highlight the fundamental, far-reaching change wrought by the Nazis and the disparity between national family policy design and its implementation at the local level. Relying on a broad range of sources --including court records, sterilization files, church accounts, and women's oral histories -- it demonstrates how local officials balanced the benefits of marriage, divorce, and adoption against budgetary concerns, church influence, and their own personal beliefs. Throughout both eras individual Germans collaborated with, rebelled against, and evaded state mandates, in the process fundamentally altering the impact of national policy. Cover......Page 1 Half-title......Page 3 Series-title......Page 5 Title......Page 7 Copyright......Page 8 Dedication......Page 9 Contents......Page 11 Acknowledgments......Page 13 Abbreviations......Page 17 Introduction......Page 19 weimar germany and family upheaval......Page 22 national socialism’s blueprint for families......Page 33 Westphalia......Page 37 Alltagsgeschichte......Page 43 Organization......Page 49 1 Marriage Policy in Turmoil: Stabilizing Society, Reordering Gender Roles, and Guaranteeing the Future......Page 52 regulating families under weimar......Page 53 regulating marriage, 1933-1945......Page 66 conclusion......Page 85 2 Divorce: Balancing Individual Freedom and the Public Good......Page 87 weimar divorce law, 1918-1932......Page 89 nazi divorce law, 1933-1945......Page 104 conclusion......Page 123 3 From Mother's Day to Forced Sterilization: Promoting Motherhood as the Solution to the Population Crisis......Page 125 the weimar republic: honoring mothers......Page 126 national socialism: honoring mothers, 1933–1945......Page 134 national socialism: preventing parenthood, 1933–1945......Page 157 conclusion......Page 167 4 Alleviating the Burdens of Motherhood......Page 171 programs for mothers during the weimar era......Page 172 reshaping programs for mothers, 1933–1945......Page 186 conclusion......Page 212 5 Maternal Morality versus Infant Mortality: Negotiating Policy toward Single Mothers and Their Children......Page 215 balancing children's needs and mothers' rights under the weimar republic......Page 216 shifting morals: illegitimacy under national socialism......Page 230 conclusion......Page 250 6 Forming Families beyond Blood Ties: Foster Care and Adoption......Page 254 foster care between 1918 and 1932......Page 255 applying genetic criteria to non-blood-based families: 1933–1945......Page 272 conclusion......Page 286 Conclusion......Page 290 Detmold......Page 301 Hagen......Page 302 Munster......Page 303 interviews......Page 304 published sources......Page 305 Index......Page 321 This Book Explores Weimar And Nazi Policy To Highlight The Fundamental, Far-reaching Change Wrought By The Nazis And The Disparity Between National Family Policy Design And Its Implementation At The Local Level. Relying On A Broad Range Of Sources - Including Court Records, Sterilization Files, Church Accounts, And Women's Oral Histories - It Demonstrates How Local Officials Balanced The Benefits Of Marriage, Divorce, And Adoption Against Budgetary Concerns, Church Influence, And Their Own Personal Beliefs. Throughout Both Eras, Individual Germans Collaborated With, Rebelled Against, And Evaded State Mandates, In The Process Fundamentally Altering The Impact Of National Policy.--jacket. Marriage Policy In Turmoil: Stabilizing Society, Reordering Gender Roles, And Guaranteeing The Future -- Divorce: Balancing Individual Freedom And The 'public Good' -- From Mother's Day To Forced Sterilization : Promoting Motherhood As The Solution To The Population Crisis -- Alleviating The Burdens Of Motherhood -- Maternal Morality Versus Infant Mortality: Negotiating Policy Toward Single Mothers And Their Children -- Forming Families Beyond Blood Ties: Foster Care And Adoption. Michelle Mouton. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 283-302) And Index. Using archival and oral sources, Michelle Mouton examines family policy - state programs related to marriage, divorce, adoption, foster care, and aid for mothers - in Weimar (1919-1932) and Nazi Germany (1933-1945)