DOI: 10.22281/2413-9912-2023-09-01-54-69

Kraeva T.A.

THE PROBLEM OF THE «CRISIS OF MASCULINITY» IN GERMANY DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR

The article reveals the problem of the «crisis of masculinity» that arose in Germany during the Great War. The «crisis of masculinity» arises due to the gap in ideas between the expectations of war and the realities of front-line life and is characterized by the transformation of traditional behavioral strategies. Under the influence of the crisis, such phenomena as the «feminization of masculinity» and the «militarization of masculinity» arise. «Feminization of masculinity» implies the manifestation of sentimentality and the search for emotional support from comrades. The phenomenon of «militarization of masculinity» reflects the desire to preserve the traditional traits of the German soldier, who is alien to excessive emotionality. The process of development of the crisis was accompanied by the transformation of the traditional idea of ​​heroism, which is inextricably linked with the problem of comradeship. The Great War makes a simple soldier a hero, who is involved in the problem of the «crisis of masculinity». The development of the problem of the «crisis of masculinity» can be traced in soldiers’ letters and images published in German satirical publications. The letters provide insight into the soldiers’ emotions in the context of their perception of the war and, in particular, reveal the problem of “general enthusiasm” at the beginning of the war in Germany. The analysis of the letters makes it clear that the problem of “horror” accompanied some soldiers from the very first days of the First World War. The images published in German satirical publications allow us to trace the development of the “crisis of masculinity” through the prism of propaganda. The problem of the “lost generation” is also raised, which is directly related to the “crisis of masculinity”, since yesterday’s schoolchildren did not have time to master traditional male roles and their masculinity began to form under the influence of military conditions. Thus, the “crisis of masculinity” reflects the problem of the transformation of traditional gender roles in Germany during the First World War, affecting not only the transformation of male roles, but also female ones – those associated with the home front.

Keywords: World War I, Germany, propaganda, heroism, soldiers’ letters, «lost generation», «crisis of masculinity», «militarization of masculinity», «feminization of masculinity».

Ural Federal University named after The first President of Russia, Boris Yeltsin (Russia).

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