The Motherscross

The Mother’s Cross: A Symbol of Nazi Population Policy and Gender Ideology 

 

The Mother’s Cross (Ehrenkreuz der Deutschen Mutter) was a state decoration introduced on December 16, 1938, by Adolf Hitler. It was part of a broader Nazi strategy to reshape German society according to fascist ideals, particularly in terms of population growth, racial purity, and gender roles. Though presented as a reward for motherhood, the decoration was deeply embedded in the regime’s racial and ideological goals.

Ideological Foundations

The Mother’s Cross was not merely a token of appreciation for mothers—it was a propaganda tool designed to promote the Nazi ideal of the “Aryan” woman as a mother and homemaker. The regime viewed women primarily as bearers of the next generation of racially pure Germans, and their role was strictly confined to the domestic sphere. The Nazi slogan “Kinder, Küche, Kirche” (Children, Kitchen, Church) encapsulated this worldview.

The award was part of a larger demographic policy aimed at reversing Germany’s declining birthrate and preparing for future expansion. Hitler and his advisors believed that a strong, racially pure population was essential for the success of the Third Reich and its long-term goals, including Lebensraum (living space) in Eastern Europe.

Award Criteria and Classes

The Mother’s Cross was awarded in three classes based on the number of children a woman had:

• Bronze: 4–5 children
• Silver: 6–7 children
• Gold: 8 or more children

Recipients were expected to be of “pure Aryan” descent, and their families had to pass racial background checks. This included proving that no Jewish, Slavic, or other “non-Aryan” ancestry existed in the family line. Women from annexed territories such as Austria, Sudetenland, and Danzig were also eligible, provided they met these racial criteria.

Construction and Variants

The cross itself was a blue-enameled Maltese cross with a central black swastika surrounded by a white ring inscribed with “Der Deutschen Mutter” (“To the German Mother”). It was suspended from a white ribbon with three blue stripes and worn around the neck on formal occasions.

Two main models exist:

• Model 1 (Rare): Reverse inscription reads “Das Kind adelt die Mutter” (“The child ennobles the mother”) with Hitler’s signature. This version was never officially distributed.
• Model 2 (Common): Reverse inscription reads “16 Dezember 1938” with Hitler’s signature.

Initially, the crosses were made of bronze, silvered bronze, and gilded bronze, depending on the class. As the war progressed and resources became scarce, manufacturers began using cheaper alloys, including zinc, white metal, and other “war metals.”

Social Impact and Public Recognition

Recipients of the Mother’s Cross were publicly honored. Members of the Hitler Youth were instructed to salute them, and they were given preferential treatment in public services, such as priority seating on public transport. The award elevated the social status of mothers and reinforced the idea that their primary duty was to the Volksgemeinschaft (people’s community).

To accommodate daily wear, miniature versions of the cross were produced, often worn as brooches. These miniatures were not officially sanctioned and had to be purchased by the recipients themselves, unlike the full-sized cross, which was awarded free of charge.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The Mother’s Cross is a powerful example of how the Nazi regime used state honors and symbolism to enforce its ideological goals. It reflects the regime’s manipulation of traditional values—such as motherhood and family—for totalitarian control and racial engineering.

While the decoration may appear benign at first glance, it was part of a broader system of social engineering, where women were rewarded not for personal achievement, but for fulfilling a state-defined biological and racial role.