Herrenmoral : Anna Pappritz and abolitionism in Germany

Abstract

This article focuses on the situation of abolitionism in Germany under the leadership of Anna Pappritz. The history of abolitionism in Germany is not yet written but it is possible to indicate some rough outlines. The main question is: why did abolitionism make its way to Germany so late? Hitherto the following answer has been given: the German women’s movement was too conservative for these ideas. This article shows the specific situation of abolitionism in Germany, where the Protestant church, as well as the socialist movement — both partners for abolitionism on the international scene—did not support abolitionism. Thus the German women’s movement—after Anna Pappritz had established abolitionistic views there after 1900—had to agitate for abolitionism in isolation.