Women’s & Jewish Rights in the Late 1800’s Mr. Meester AP European History

Social and Legal Problems The women of the late 19th century faced social and legal disabilities in several areas: Property Rights Family Law Education Employment

Property Rights Married women could not own property. No legal standing before the law. Reforms came slowly 1882, Britain passed the Married Woman’s Property Act. 1900. German women were allowed to take a job without their husbands permission. 1905, French women could open their own savings account.

Family Law Legal codes forced women to “give obedience” to their husbands. Divorce was difficult. Abortion and contraception were illegal Rape cases usually worked to the disadvantage of the woman. The authority of the husband also extended to the rights of the children.

Education Women had less access to education than men had. What was available was inferior to that of the men. The illiteracy rate of women was much higher than that of men. Changes and Reforms 1860, the University of Zurich opened its doors to women. 1878, the University of London accepted women. Eastern European countries were slower to allow women into higher educational institutions. Secondary Education The lack of public and private secondary schools limited the number of women qualified to attend the universities. This was due to men not wanting competition in their own fields.

New Employment Patterens Two major events occurred involving women during the 2nd IR. A rise in the number of professional jobs. Government and corporate bureaucracies provided opportunities for women. Retail stores also provided new opportunities. Many teachers were now women. Women in all positions were paid less than men The withdrawal of married women from the workforce. The number of jobs in the textile industries were shrinking Employers wanted unmarried women whose family would not interfere with their work. Women were also allowed to stay home because the real wages of their husbands grew enough to support the family.

Working Class Exploitation Garment manufacturing was less dominant in the late 1800’s but still important Sweatshops in Germany and Britain employed 1000s Work was seasonal Female income was considered supplemental to a man’s & were exploited as a result

Poverty and Prostitution During the 19th century there were about twice as many women seeking work as their were jobs. Prostitution was not new, but became a means for women to make a living in an overcrowded labor force. Most were single 18 to 25, and often from the rural areas Fewer prostitutes were found in manufacturing cities since jobs were more available. Prostitution was usually legal and regulated by municipal governments.

Middle Class Women Middle class women contributed greatly to the growth in consumerism Cult of Domesticity Middle class women enjoyed great domestic luxury but lacked opportunities and signs intelligence were frowned upon Were not allowed to help with business instead directed the household Expected to participate in religious & charitable activities Smaller family size became more acceptable New contraception became available Smaller families resulted in closer relationships with children

Rise of Political Feminism The early feminist movement was very fragmented with many obstacles Religion vs Secular Links to socialism Britain had the most advanced feminist movement Millicent Fawcett – NUWSS (liberal feminism) Emmeline Pankhurst Women’s Social & Political Union (radical feminism) In 1910 they became violent in their tactics

Feminism on the Continent France and Germany’s movements weren’t nearly as advanced as Britain’s French feminists were even more divided but rejected violence and mass demonstrations National Council of French Women Catholic feminism – Marie Mauguet Germany was the least developed as a result of no group enjoying extensive political rights Union of German Women’s Organization (BDFK) Fought for more than just the right to vote

Major Date in Late 19th & Early 20th Century Women’s History 1869: John Stuart Mill’s The Subjection of Women. 1894: Union of German Women’s Organization founded. 1907: Norway permits women to vote on national issues. 1910: British suffragettes adopt radical tactics. 1918: Vote extended to some British women. 1918: 19th Amendment of U.S. Constitution amended allowing women to vote. 1920: Oxford and Cambridge award degrees to women. 1922: French Senate defeats bill extending vote to women. 1928: Britain extends vote to women on same basis as men.

Jewish Emancipation Equal citizenship for Jews in Europe was a major accomplishment of political liberalism. Throughout Western and Central Europe, Jews gradually gained more and more rights as citizens. In Poland and Russia however, prejudice and discrimination continued against the Jews thru W.W. I. The programs of Russia terrorized the Jewish people forcing many to flee west.

Broadened Opportunities After the revolutions of 1848, Jews throughout most of Europe saw a general improvement upon the lives. Attained full citizenship in Germany, Scandinavia, & Italy. 1858, Jews could sit at British Parliament. 1867, full citizenship given to Jews In the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. Large numbers of Jewish men began to enter professions such as lawyers and doctors that had once been closed to them.

Anti-Semiticism After 1880, Anti-Semitism goes on the rise. Jewish bankers and financiers were blamed for the economic depression of the 1870s. In the 1880s, organized anti-Semitism developed in Germany. The Dreyfus Affair in France also showed hatred of the Jews. Most Jewish leaders believed this intolerance was only temporary. Anti-Semiticism will reach its peak during the 1930s and 40s. The Holocaust