Women in history

✉️ Letter to my cousin

December 1, 1919

Dear Anna,

I hope this letter finds you well. Life here in Germany has been quite tumultuous lately, but also full of hope and change. You may have heard about the German Revolution of 1918-1919. It all started with a mutiny by sailors in Kiel, which quickly spread across the country. By November 9, 1918, the German Empire had fallen, and we were declared a republic. This revolution brought about the Weimar Republic, which promises many changes, especially for us women.

One of the most exciting developments is that women now have the right to vote! This was something unimaginable just a few years ago. My mother and aunts are thrilled and have been discussing politics at every family gathering. They believe that our voices can now be heard, and this gives me hope for our future.

However, not everything is perfect. Many of our older female relatives are cautious. My grandmother, for instance, worries that these changes might not last. She often talks about the hardships during the war and fears that the new government might face the same fate as the old one if it doesn’t address the people’s needs.

The Council of the People's Deputies, which took over after the revolution, made significant promises like freedom of expression and an eight-hour workday. Yet, there are still many challenges. The country is divided, with some supporting the new republic and others longing for the past. The economic situation is tough, and there’s a lot of unrest.

Despite the uncertainties, I feel a sense of empowerment. Being 14 in this new Germany means growing up with more opportunities and rights than our mothers and grandmothers had. I hope that by the time we are adults, these changes will have taken firm root, and we can live in a truly equal society.

Write back soon and tell me how things are in your part of the world.

With love,
Liesel