Discussion Order 753247
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Discussion Order 753247
Changing Role of Women from the Mid-19th Century to the Mid-20th Century
There was a wave in the 19th and 20th centuries that rejected the prevailing social and cultural beliefs about women and mothers (Wiesner, Ruff, & Wheeler, 2003). It was assumed that women were hyperemotional and intellectually inferior. Such beliefs impacted women in various ways. Firstly, girls or women were not given a chance to carry on their studies as their counterparts. Indeed, it is noted that very few universities or colleges accepted women students.
Various resources show that girls were only trained on skills related to home keeping and the siring of children. The roles of women were to take care of households and be wives or mothers. Women had no right to inherit or own property (Wiesner, Ruff, & Wheeler, 2003). They were not allowed to take part in elections. However, this changed drastically during the Second World War.
During the revolution, women became actively involved in politics and economic activities. According to Wiesner, Ruff, & Wheeler (2003), women started drafting grievances, signing petitions, holding and hosting meetings, and caring for the wounded warriors. Besides, the role of women had changed to the extent they could carry and supply women.
In this period, one can conclusively argue that women were discriminated against and denied their rights to freedom. They were paid low wages, they the less gender, they had no say in the society (Wiesner, Ruff, & Wheeler, 2003). The various sources show that women were not allowed to vote nor take political positions.
How Cold War Impacted European Society
The cold war split Europe right down the middle. The effect lasted 45 years immediately after the war (Wiesner, Ruff, & Wheeler, 2003). It made several European countries turn to some form of socialism to end the influence of the Soviet Union. The cold war brought new powers from the US on internal as well as foreign policy (Wiesner, Ruff, & Wheeler, 2003). The rearmament of Western Germany meant that the US would stop helping out if its wishes were not fulfilled. As a result, almost all European countries invested in strong social welfare with national healthcare as well as education to the students being free.
Fundamentally, the power passed from one side to the other without disrupting much of the European countries. The welfare was state-run care developed in Western Europe and spread to the rest of the nations among the US, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia (Wiesner, Ruff, & Wheeler, 2003). The youth and the students in the colleges began protests agitating for education and better terms concerning welfare.
The student protests, especially in Germany and France in the 1960s, influenced the government policies (Wiesner, Ruff, & Wheeler, 2003). As a result of protests from the youths, the politics began to swing back towards the right as the economy tremendously slowed down. The decolonization of the 1960s created many small countries with no option but to look for survival tricks. Because they had survived a series of wars, they emerged even more substantial from the conflict.
In conclusion, the wave of the 19th century and 20th century change the perception of women. Initially, women were looked down upon; they were not educated as their counterparts and had n jobs. The wave changed everything as it allowed them to take part in politics, hold meetings, and consequently entitled to vote. On the other hand, the cold war influenced the education and economic systems in Europe. It is noted that the cold war made several European countries turn to some form of socialism in order to end the influence of the Soviet Union
Reference
Wiesner, M. E., Ruff, J. R., & Wheeler, W. B. (2003). Discovering the Western Past: A Look at the Evidence Since 1500 (Vol. 2). Wadsworth Publishing Company.