Alternative Title

Prostitution in the Weimar Republic

Abstract

At the turn of the twentieth century, Germany was experiencing massive growth as a newly formed nation. As German leaders attempted to bring the formerly separate provinces together, a Criminal Code of morality was drawn up. This code was an attempt to build and maintain the idea of the German family as healthy, virtuous and religious. Prostitution, considered a crime against morality, grew to be both the most idolized and loathed female figure within early 20th century Germany. The prostitute saw her peak during the time of the Weimar Republic, an era spanning from the end of the First World War and ending at the rise of the Third Reich. The Weimar Republic was a time of great political upheaval and social change amongst the classes. The prostitute stood quietly amongst this revolutionary and confused state, and soon became both the victim and heroine of modernization of the metropolis and isolation of the individual. The Weimar prostitute has had opinions formed for her and about her in countless pieces of literature, prose, art and song, yet she has yet to be heard from. My independent study seeks to offer a voice in narration to the female sex worker of early 20th century Germany.

Advisor

King, Shannon

Second Advisor

Jackson, Sara

Department

German Studies; History

Disciplines

Other German Language and Literature | Social History | Women's History

Keywords

Weimar Republic, prostitute, prostitution, Germany

Publication Date

2014

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2014 Audrey V. Creamer