In the aftermath of World War I, all countries experienced unprecedented societal changes, but none more so than the newly established Weimar Republic. Throughout the subsequent Weimar years, extremely liberal attitudes and government policies were adopted, but one of the most striking features of the new state was its attitude towards women. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay With an estimated 1.7 million soldiers dead and another 6 million wounded, missing or disabled; In Germany, an entire generation of young men was wiped out by the war, and with millions of jobs to fill, women began to enter the workforce. This participation in the economy of their country gave these women a taste of freedom; because they were no longer dependent on their partner or family and had access to disposable income. It was at this time that the idea of ​​the New Woman began to emerge; unlike all previous ideals of a Germanic woman, the New Woman rejected the stereotypical mother/wife archetype, wearing freer clothing, enjoying a night out, and being more willing to express her sexuality. Many young women began participating in cabarets and becoming involved in Berlin's thriving party scene. Anita Berber was a woman who embodied Berlin in the 1920s; A popular cabaret dancer, heavy drug user and alcohol drinker (which would never have been tolerated in pre-war Germany), Anita was an iconic (if rather extreme) figure of the New Woman. This shift toward women no longer seeing motherhood as their sole goal in life was reflected in falling birth rates, which at the time were the lowest in the world, reaching a low of 1.58 babies per woman. Legislation allowing women access to higher education encouraged this trend, and even women with children took the initiative to earn money for their households. With the establishment of the right to vote and participate in the Reichstag in 1919, the female population was granted a political voice and in the first election in which these rights could be exercised, 11 women were elected to the Reichstag; reflecting a greater interest in politics among women. To be a woman in the early Weimar Republic was to taste freedom, but the celebration would never last long. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The Story of Weimar Women's Liberation is both an example of the best and worst of feminism. The arc of women's rights is best illustrated by dividing the Weimar years into three sections: the early postwar period (Woman), the mid-Weimar period (Woman), and the later Weimar years (Wife).).).