Revolutionary perspectives: German Jewish women and 1918–19

• Published in: Journal of European studies Vol. 51; no. 2; pp. 93 - 110
• Main Author: Painter, Corinne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-06-2021; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Women; Germany; First World War; German; revolution; Jewish; women
• ISSN: 0047-2441; 1740-2379
• DOI: 10.1177/00472441211010899

In November 1918, revolution swept across Germany: it led to the end of the war, the abdication of the Kaiser and a new parliamentary democracy. While leading figures of the revolution, such as Ernst Toller, Rosa Luxemburg and Kurt Eisner, have been the subject of much scholarly interest, less research has been conducted into the motivations and aims of the rank and file, a group which included many women. Women played key roles as revolutionaries: by spreading the revolutionary message, working in its administration or participating in direct action on the streets. By choosing to become a revolutionary, individuals risked imprisonment or even death. For German Jewish women, who faced anti-Semitism in their daily lives, the risk was even greater. This article focuses on these forgotten female revolutionaries to uncover their roles, aims and motivations, and to contribute to a heterogeneous understanding of the revolution.