Regulation of Prostitution
I found Richard Evans’ article entitled “PROSTITUION, STATE AND SOCIETY IN IMPERAL GERMANY”, had an interesting perspective about the interrelations between prostitution, state and society. The concept of regulating something such as prostitution during the nineteenth century is much like “trying” to regulate illegally downloaded music today. Meaning it is simply impossible to keep up with whom is doing what in every city. Evans’ article discusses how most cities attempted to regulate prostitution by registering the prostitutes under two specific clauses from the Imperial Criminal Code. “Clause 361/6 empowered the police to arrest and subject to a medical examination anyone the suspected of being a prostitute. Clause 180, whose implications were in contradiction to Clause 361/6, decreed that anyone who provided through his own agency an opportunity for the exercise of prostitution and so countenanced and furthered it, would be imprisoned.” The police were monitoring the prostitutes under Clause 361/6 and prostitutes could continue this lifestyle as long as they were registered and in the so called “red light districts.” On the other hand, according to Clause 180 procurers were to be imprisoned if they were caught providing opportunities for prostitution to occur. This is why I think that regulating prostitution is simply impossible, because most prostitutes are not willing to register. Many of these women were trying their best to maintain their households not making a living through prostitution. Therefore, the police were exposed to a partial view of the prostitution in Germany during the nineteenth century.
Cause of the War
I found David Kaiser’s article entitled “Germany and the Origins of the First World War”, had another interesting perspective about who really caused the First World War. Kaiser mentions how other historians believe the First World War was caused by Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg because he had ordered that the war should occur. It is true that he did order that the war should occur after being opposed to it prior to 1914. Kaiser argues that it was society’s actions which led to the war. Bethmann’s actions were actually the aftermath of society not participating in earlier elections. Kaiser describes that Bethmann’s actions were last resort and the people of Germany “needed” a war. I agree with Kaiser’s argument and feel that if society does not work together to make a country unified then the society will suffer with struggles such as war.
I found Richard Evans’ article entitled “PROSTITUION, STATE AND SOCIETY IN IMPERAL GERMANY”, had an interesting perspective about the interrelations between prostitution, state and society. The concept of regulating something such as prostitution during the nineteenth century is much like “trying” to regulate illegally downloaded music today. Meaning it is simply impossible to keep up with whom is doing what in every city. Evans’ article discusses how most cities attempted to regulate prostitution by registering the prostitutes under two specific clauses from the Imperial Criminal Code. “Clause 361/6 empowered the police to arrest and subject to a medical examination anyone the suspected of being a prostitute. Clause 180, whose implications were in contradiction to Clause 361/6, decreed that anyone who provided through his own agency an opportunity for the exercise of prostitution and so countenanced and furthered it, would be imprisoned.” The police were monitoring the prostitutes under Clause 361/6 and prostitutes could continue this lifestyle as long as they were registered and in the so called “red light districts.” On the other hand, according to Clause 180 procurers were to be imprisoned if they were caught providing opportunities for prostitution to occur. This is why I think that regulating prostitution is simply impossible, because most prostitutes are not willing to register. Many of these women were trying their best to maintain their households not making a living through prostitution. Therefore, the police were exposed to a partial view of the prostitution in Germany during the nineteenth century.
Cause of the War
I found David Kaiser’s article entitled “Germany and the Origins of the First World War”, had another interesting perspective about who really caused the First World War. Kaiser mentions how other historians believe the First World War was caused by Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg because he had ordered that the war should occur. It is true that he did order that the war should occur after being opposed to it prior to 1914. Kaiser argues that it was society’s actions which led to the war. Bethmann’s actions were actually the aftermath of society not participating in earlier elections. Kaiser describes that Bethmann’s actions were last resort and the people of Germany “needed” a war. I agree with Kaiser’s argument and feel that if society does not work together to make a country unified then the society will suffer with struggles such as war.
Interesting argument about prostitution. As far as the attempts at regulation are concerned, it is no wonder why there was never a significant blow dealt to the world's oldest profession. I would caution the comparison to downloading music though. The main difference with the two activities (other than obvious ones) deals with the patrons of prostitutes. Downloading music is so widespread because of the fluidity of the masses who do it. While prostitution is usually confined to certain areas people know it can be found. But a strong comparison between the two is the anonymity of the users and clients. ...Without a doubt one of the more outstanding blog topics haha
ReplyDeleteYou say that women weren't trying to make a living by being prostitutes, which is something I'd like to disagree with. (No offense! May it's our differing opinions of the phrase's meaning.) These women thought they had no other option when it came down to getting money to buy food for the table or warm clothes to wear. Prostitution was their last resort, and it made a living for them, whether they liked it or not. It provided them with the means to survive, even if it was demeaning and demoralizing. You're right, they were maintainng their households, which, via the money they made being prostitutes, is making a living. They make enough to get through the day and see another. There wasn't much else a woman could do during that time.
ReplyDeleteNice summaries of these two topics. The issue of prostitution is always a fascinating one since the issue touches on so many aspects of Wilhelmine society and its power, class and sex relations. Kaiser's argument is a bit more complex. While he acknowledges the problems created by German society, he blames the failure of the right (elites) compromise and the policies pursued by Bethmann as key contributing factors to the outbreak of the war.
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