In the period of slow modernization : women in the Second Republic of Poland – conclusions

The First World War was an important factor in social modernization, bringing a new order of gender in public space. Among the most important changes in the situation of women in the post-war period, historians mention: obtaining full citizenship rights and broad access to education, increasing professional and educational aspirations, the evolution of intra-family relationships, increasing the proportion of active women, loosening of moral norms and a revolution in women’s fashion. Nevertheless, in the Second Republic, there was a visible widening of women’s life opportunities and increase of their independence in many areas of social life and in the public sphere. The granting of passive and active electoral law became the symbol of changes that took place in the social position of women after Poland regained its independence in November 1918. The aim of this article is to discuss the most important aspects of women’s participation in the political and social life of the Second Republic (1918–1939), as well as to follow social modernization processes in the context of women’s situation: labor market opportunities, educational aspirations, political activity, and changes in family and fashion. Another goal is the analysis of social structures that had the most powerful impact on women’s lives: tradition, economics, law.