ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of women in Germany

Alright, kids. Today, we're going to talk about the history of women in Germany.

A long, long time ago, there were no women in Germany who had rights like men did. Men were seen as more important and powerful than women, and women were expected to take care of the house, cook, and have babies.

But over time, women started to realize that they wanted to have more rights and be treated equally with men. They wanted to have the freedom to choose what they wanted to do with their lives, and they didn't want to be limited to just being housewives.

One of the first women who fought for women's rights was Louise Otto-Peters. She believed that women should be given the right to vote and be involved in politics, just like men. She started a women's group in 1865 that focused on getting women the right to vote.

Another important woman in German history was Clara Zetkin. She fought for women's rights, too, and was a big part of the struggle for women's suffrage. In 1911, she helped establish International Women's Day, which is still celebrated today.

During World War II, women in Germany played a big role in helping the country. They worked in factories and farms, did their part to support the troops, and some even served in the military.

After the war, Germany was divided into East and West, and women's rights were different in each part of the country. In East Germany, women had more rights and were encouraged to work outside of the home, while in West Germany, women still faced discrimination and weren't given equal pay or opportunities.

But eventually, things started to change. In 1977, women were given the legal right to work in any job they wanted, and in 1980, the German government introduced a law that made it illegal to discriminate against women in the workplace.

Today, women in Germany have many more rights and opportunities than they did in the past. They can vote, work, and pursue any career they want. And while there is still work to be done to achieve true gender equality, women in Germany have come a long way.