I feel like Cassandra, warning of the eerie parallels between now and the Weimar Republic—economic collapse, cultural backlash, and rising extremism—but no one listens.
Living in DC from 2020–2021 cemented my fears. I watched fear weaponized and calls for “order” strip away freedoms until the creeping authoritarianism became unbearable. I left the country because I couldn’t feel safe anymore.
Now, as history repeats, I have one question: Who will you be this time? Will you side with repression, take the easy path of complicity, or stand proud, resisting the lies and seeing the truth?
Bestie, wake up.
This is just one piece of the puzzle—the Victorian sexual politics of the early 20th century that helped pave the way for fascism in Germany. It’s striking how closely it mirrors the cultural battles we’re seeing today.
The rise of fascism in Germany after the Weimar Republic was deeply tied to a backlash against shifting attitudes about sex and gender. These changes clashed with entrenched Victorian-era values, which upheld strict moral rules, repressed sexuality, and rigid gender roles. This cultural conflict fueled conservative anger, creating fertile ground for the Nazis to exploit fears of societal decay and promise a return to “traditional values.”
Strict Victorian Morals and the Backlash
Victorian-era ideals shaped German society well into the 20th century. These morals emphasized chastity, family, and strict gender roles—men as breadwinners and women as caretakers. Public discussion of sexuality was taboo, and anything that deviated from heterosexual norms was stigmatized or criminalized.
By the Weimar era (1919–1933), these norms were being challenged:
- Women’s Roles: Women gained the right to vote in 1918 and began entering the workforce in larger numbers during and after World War I.
- Sexual Liberation: Public discussions about sex became more open, with the rise of sexologists and psychologists exploring topics like birth control, abortion, and LGBTQ+ identities.
- Urban vs. Rural Divide: While cities like Berlin embraced these changes, rural and conservative areas saw them as a threat to traditional family structures.
This cultural shift deeply alarmed conservatives, who felt their way of life was under attack.
The Weimar Republic’s Sexual Revolution
Berlin during the Weimar Republic became a hub of cultural and sexual experimentation, earning a reputation as the “Babylon of the 20th century.”
- LGBTQ+ Visibility: The LGBTQ+ community flourished with the opening of queer nightclubs, advocacy organizations, and the work of Magnus Hirschfeld’s Institute for Sexual Science, which advocated for LGBTQ+ rights and studied gender and sexuality.
- Art and Media: Films, literature, and art pushed boundaries, depicting themes of gender fluidity, sexual freedom, and critiques of traditional values.
- Feminism: Feminists advocated for women’s reproductive rights, education, and autonomy, challenging deeply ingrained patriarchal norms.
While these changes energized progressive circles, they also became symbols of “moral decay” for conservatives. To them, the liberal culture of Berlin represented chaos and the breakdown of “traditional” Germany.
The Nazis’ Response: Blaming “Degeneracy”
The Nazis exploited conservative fears by framing the cultural changes of the Weimar era as evidence of national decline. They coined terms like “degeneracy” to describe the perceived threats posed by LGBTQ+ people, feminists, and liberal intellectuals.
- Restoring Order: The Nazi platform promised to bring back “traditional family values,” which meant rigid gender roles, heterosexuality, and a focus on reproduction.
- Targeting Modernity: Nightclubs, experimental art, and discussions of sexual liberation were branded as symbols of Weimar’s “decadence,” which the Nazis vowed to eradicate.
- Appealing to Fear: By tapping into people’s insecurities about societal change, the Nazis positioned themselves as saviors of a moral and unified Germany.
Scapegoating Marginalized Groups
The Nazis didn’t just oppose cultural liberalism—they actively blamed marginalized groups for the perceived collapse of traditional values.
- LGBTQ+ Persecution: The Nazis destroyed Hirschfeld’s Institute for Sexual Science, burning its extensive library of research. LGBTQ+ individuals were arrested, imprisoned, and sent to concentration camps under the pretense of “restoring morality.”
- Women: Women were removed from public life and pushed into domestic roles as mothers and caretakers. The Nazi ideal for women was embodied in the slogan “Kinder, Küche, Kirche” (Children, Kitchen, Church).
- Antisemitism: The Nazis claimed that Jewish people were behind the “cultural decline” of Germany, blaming them for liberalism, feminism, and modern art. This became a cornerstone of their genocidal ideology.
The Nazi Myth of a “Pure and Moral” Past
The Nazis romanticized an idealized version of German history, one rooted in rural, patriarchal, and Christian values. This vision was a deliberate contrast to the cosmopolitan and progressive culture of Weimar cities.
- Restoring “Order”: The promise of a return to moral clarity and national strength resonated with Germans who felt alienated by the rapid changes of the Weimar era.
- Propaganda: The Nazis used mass media to reinforce their message, portraying Weimar culture as chaotic and dangerous while glorifying traditional German values.
This promise of stability and purity was appealing to many Germans, particularly in rural areas and among those who had been economically devastated by World War I and the Great Depression.
The Weimar era’s clash between strict Victorian morals and progressive cultural changes created deep divisions in German society. Conservatives saw the new freedoms around sex, gender, and art as evidence of moral decay, and the Nazis capitalized on this fear. By blaming marginalized groups and promising a return to traditional values, they gained the support they needed to dismantle democracy and establish a fascist regime.
Understanding this history reveals how fears about societal change can be weaponized, and how cultural backlash can lead to devastating consequences when manipulated by authoritarian leaders.
Who do you want to be this time around?
