Transformed Civilian Life
Life as a civilian changed because of the war. There was a
decline in economic capability. Belligerent governments had militarized
civilian war production by subordinating private enterprises to governmental
control and imposing severe discipline on the labor process. Governments abandoned
ideals of laissez-faire capitalist market economy and to institute tight
controls over economic life. Wage and price controls were established as well
as extended work hours and sometimes even restrictions on movement of workers. Military
service was extended in some instances causing an increased demand for workers
at home. Unemployment also vanished.
Women's Role
During the time of war, women went to work. After the men went off to war, many of the labor jobs had emptied so they began to be filled by
women. They were drawn in by the high wages as well as patriotism. Some women took jobs as farm managers, postal workers, police officers, nurses, physicians, and communications clerks. Women were given a sense of mission. There was always a wage gap however between men and women, even though they were promised equal pay for equal work. And women were even grated voting rights in Britain, Germany, and Austria towards the end of the war.
Most crucial of the work performed by women was the making of shells. This exposed women to many hazardous dangers, and children even assisted the making of these shells. TNT exposure caused poisoning and serious illnesses manifested themselves. Women died in incidents of explosions but since the government censored lots during the war, it was difficult to tell how many women died this way.
women. They were drawn in by the high wages as well as patriotism. Some women took jobs as farm managers, postal workers, police officers, nurses, physicians, and communications clerks. Women were given a sense of mission. There was always a wage gap however between men and women, even though they were promised equal pay for equal work. And women were even grated voting rights in Britain, Germany, and Austria towards the end of the war.
Most crucial of the work performed by women was the making of shells. This exposed women to many hazardous dangers, and children even assisted the making of these shells. TNT exposure caused poisoning and serious illnesses manifested themselves. Women died in incidents of explosions but since the government censored lots during the war, it was difficult to tell how many women died this way.
Real Life Women Helping War Efforts
Mary Borden (1886-1968) was born to a Chicago millionaire father and a mother who was very religious. She escaped her mother’s evangelicalism when it was possible and she moved to India. In India she married and had two children. She moved to London because the lifestyle was too claustrophobic for her and her family. She used her influence when World War I broke out and she funded a front line mobile hospital for the French. She earned medals of bravery for going under fire and running the biggest military hospital.
Propaganda
Propaganda was something that was used to publicly promote something. It was information that was put out by the government to promote a policy or an idea. It was sometimes misleading and deceptive information that was spread systematically. Propaganda's role was to maintain the spirit of the home front. It also countered threats to national unity. The propagandas were controlled by the government and censored bad news and war news.