FEMINISM in the 20th Century, Explained [AP Euro Review—Unit 9 Topic 8]

Summary

This video explores the changing roles of women in Europe after World War II, highlighting key societal shifts. It discusses how the post-war economic boom, increasing access to education, and the rise of second-wave feminism led to more professional opportunities for women, despite ongoing inequality. The video also covers advancements in marriage and reproductive rights, such as the birth control pill and in vitro fertilization. Politically, women began to break barriers with figures like Margaret Thatcher, Mary Robinson, and Edith Cresson rising to prominent leadership roles. The video highlights the ongoing evolution of women's rights in Europe, shaping future opportunities.

Takeaways

• 😀 Women in Europe were primarily viewed as mothers before World War II, but post-WWII, their roles began to change significantly.
• 😀 The post-WWII economic boom in Western Europe led to new job opportunities for women, especially in white-collar professions.
• 😀 As Western Europe shifted from male-dominated industries like coal mining to knowledge-based economies, women found more opportunities in education and administrative roles.
• 😀 Second-wave feminism in the 1960s and 70s focused on societal issues and inequalities, such as education, marriage laws, and career opportunities.
• 😀 Simone de Beauvoir's *The Second Sex* became a foundational work for second-wave feminism, advocating for women's equality in all aspects of life.
• 😀 Women in the Soviet Bloc gained rights through government policies, but faced many of the same challenges as women in the West.
• 😀 The introduction of birth control and in-vitro fertilization gave women greater autonomy over their reproductive rights, challenging traditional societal and religious norms.
• 😀 The Roman Catholic Church opposed birth control, seeing it as an attempt to play God by controlling women's reproductive choices.
• 😀 Margaret Thatcher became Great Britain's first female prime minister in 1979, reversing welfare state policies and privatizing many state-run services.
• 😀 Mary Robinson became Ireland's first female president in 1990, using her position to legalize divorce, contraception, and homosexuality, modernizing Irish society.
• 😀 Édith Cresson became France's first female prime minister in 1991, despite facing accusations of corruption during her tenure, highlighting the ongoing struggle for equality in politics.

Q & A

What significant societal change for women occurred in Western Europe after World War II?

After World War II, women in Western Europe gained more opportunities in the workforce, particularly in white-collar jobs, due to the post-war economic boom and the shift to a knowledge economy.

What role did feminism play in shaping women's rights in Western Europe after WWII?

Feminism, particularly second-wave feminism in the 1960s and 70s, played a crucial role in advocating for women's rights, including education, career opportunities, and changes in marriage laws.

What was the primary focus of second-wave feminism compared to first-wave feminism?

While first-wave feminism focused on securing women's right to vote, second-wave feminism addressed broader societal issues, including education, career inequality, and laws surrounding marriage.

How did Simone de Beauvoir contribute to second-wave feminism?

Simone de Beauvoir's book 'The Second Sex' laid the philosophical foundation for second-wave feminism, advocating for the abolition of societal standards that restricted women's behavior and promoting gender equality.

How did the economic landscape in Western Europe affect women's employment opportunities after WWII?

With the Marshall Plan and the economic recovery, Western Europe experienced rapid growth, creating job opportunities, especially in white-collar professions, which were more accessible to women as industries shifted away from male-dominated sectors like coal mining.

What technological advancements gave women more control over their reproductive choices?

The development of the birth control pill and in vitro fertilization were key technological advancements that gave women greater control over reproduction, allowing them to plan their families and make decisions about pregnancy independently.

What was the reaction of the Roman Catholic Church to the introduction of the birth control pill?

The Roman Catholic Church opposed the birth control pill, believing that it interfered with God's control over reproduction and considered it morally wrong to take such decisions into human hands.

What changes in marriage laws took place in many countries after WWII that benefitted women?

Divorce laws became more equitable, giving women more agency in the divorce process, which was previously controlled by men, and women also gained more control over family planning and reproduction.

Who was the first female prime minister of Great Britain, and what was her political stance?

Margaret Thatcher became the first female Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1979. She was a conservative who aimed to reverse the welfare state policies, cutting government programs, lowering taxes for the wealthy, and privatizing state-run institutions.

How did the Soviet Union approach women's rights differently from Western Europe?

In the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, women's rights were advanced primarily through government policy, starting with the Russian Revolution, which recognized women as equal to men and provided greater opportunities for women compared to Western Europe at the time.