The Role of Women over the course of European History: 3D Gallery

Ancient Times

The role of women in Ancient times was very limited. In places such as Greece and Rome women were expected to have children and be housewives. In some cases such as the role of women in Sparta, women were able to be physically trained like the men, own land, and be able to drink wine. These privileges almost everywhere else were strictly available to only the men. If women were allowed to have jobs most of them would either work in shops or were prostitutes. Men would treat women like property and would not let them partake in anything that they thought women were not capable to do or thought a women shouldn't do.

The Middle Ages

Women roles during the Middle Ages was much similar to the ones in Ancient Times. Women were still very much expected to have children and be stay at home moms. Poorer families in the Middle Ages needed the mother to be able to keep the house clean and be able to do all of the chores in a very small space. Wealthier families would have servants do all of the housework and chores, all the mother had to do was handle the children. In some cases with wealthier families, the women could take up hobbies and even learn how to read and write. Religion in the Middle Ages was very prominent and growing every day. In some areas, women were able to enter convents and practice their religion. In the later Middle Ages, some rights for women in the Convents were taken away and made most independent convents be placed under the control of the church officials.

The Renaissance and Reformation

The Renaissance and Reformation was the first time women were seen as leaders and almost as powerful as men. Many women in this time period would serve as monarchs and prove to the people women were just as capable as men of ruling a country. Queen Elizabeth is just one of the examples of women as a leader during this era and would become one of the harshest rulers during the Renaissance. Even though some women were lucky enough to become monarchs, in lots of areas women were still seen as they were in Ancient Times and in the Middle Ages. They were seen as housewives and not able to have their own career choices. This time period was a big turning point for women and helped lead to the way women are treated to this day. Another big role for women in this era was as artists. Many women artists were afraid to show their work due to the fear of society. For the few women who did show off their talent and amazing art, had become famous and helped other women who were afraid to show their art come out and show society women were capable of creating magnificent art just like men had.

Age of Absolutism

Women during the Age of Absolutism was very minimal. Over the course of European history, women have gained many privileges that back in Ancient times and the Middle Ages women would have never even thought were possible that women would have the opportunity to do. The Age of Absolutism was a time when monarchs were thriving and gaining more and more power. The role of women was the same as the Renaissance and Reformation but with a little more freedom to do what they wanted to pursue career-wise.

The Enlightenment era was known as “The Age of Reason”. It was called that due to all of the philosophers and their philosophical ideas and theories. This era was a time for reason and logic to help the citizens of Europe make sense of the world around them. Women during this time period would often participate in Salons. Salons would take place in people's homes where people would go and talk, while the wives could host and be able to socialize while still staying at home and taking care of their children. Some women were given the chance to know how to read and write and were acting upon these rights to be able to do so. Many women writers had flourished during this time period, for example, Mary Wollstonecraft. Mary wrote over seven novels and other types of literature. She influenced other female writers to put on display their hidden talents and go against the pressure of society and showcase their works of literature as well. Many women at this time were not afraid to show their talents and prove to society that women were more capable then everyone thought.

The Age of Revolutions

The Age of Revolutions was a time when lots of revolutionary movements were put into place all over Europe. Women were not allowed to vote or have any say in political matters, which meant revolutionary movements were mostly just men and it was not socially acceptable for women to partake in them. The women who dared to speak their voice and demand women be treated equally as men hardly made an impact on society. This era was one for change in government and women who were trying to gain more rights would hardly ever succeed.

WWI

The women during WWI played a very significant role. All over Europe men were getting drafted left and right, so the women would have to fill the void. This meant filling in their jobs while still taking care of their family and providing for their children. One woman named Flora Sanders would make history by being a British woman fighting with Serbian forces and ranked as a captain. Lots of women also fought in the war on the front lines, while other would become nurses, ambulance drivers, and take over some administrative positions. Women were also used in lots of propaganda resembling the home front and reminding the soldiers of their loved ones. By the end of WWI, women would gain new social and economic options and a stronger voice in political matters.

The Interwar

During WWI and WWII was The Interwar. This was a time when men would be returning home from the war. This meant women would have to give up their jobs that they were doing in replacement for the men at war. Even though after WWI women would gain more rights, it still meant that the men would come and take their jobs back and women would go back to their hobbies and take care of the families.

WWII

Women's roles in WWII were much like their roles in WWI. The same in which the women would take over the men's jobs on the homefront while some women would go fight in the war. By this point in time women were able to vote and were not just seen as a housewife to society. More women would join the war and be active soldiers and help defend their country in WWII than in any war ever.

Post World War II-Present

Post world war II would entail the same as post-WWI, the men would come home from war, return to their jobs, and expect everything to go back to the way it was. After WWII there needed to be post-war reconstruction and to help rebuild their countries physically and socially. More and more labor jobs would open up and women would go and fill them in. Women would also be able to fill in more economic and political jobs to help countries get back to normal. From post-WWII to present day women have come a long way. In this day and age women and men have equal rights and women are doing jobs that seemed socially unacceptable at some point in history. Women have come a long way and are continuing to strive for even more say in things political, social and economical. Women are now seen not as housewives but as independent women who are free to do and be whoever they may please, with no restrictions of society holding them back.

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The Role of Women over the course of European History