Women S Roles In World War One

Women's Roles in World War One In June 1914 Archduke Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by a Bosnian Serb nationalist. After months of tension in Europe, this event finally lead to an outbreak of war. This war, which was thought to be "the war to end all wars," is commonly known as World War One. When people talk about WW1 they think of the soldiers, weapons, and violence involved. But another major factor was women's war efforts. Before World War One, women's role in society was basically to cook, clean, care for the children, and other 'women's work.' At this time they didn't even have the right to vote. However, these things began to change after the men had gone to fight in the war. Women had to step up and help out. To help, they would have to take over the men's jobs and support the war effort. Women's war efforts and other contributions were a vital factor of World War One and helped lead to the Allies' victory. Although most women were happy to help their country, many were against this war and did not support it. Some even refused to allow their husbands and sons to join the army. However, within months of the war's outbreak, those women had taken a new route- supporting their government. They had to put aside maternal instincts and instead do what was right for their country's well-being. Feminists became passionate patriots and public advocates of the war effort. They hoped that their steadfast support would help aid the topic of women's suffrage after the war. As they said farewell to their families, the women knew they had an obligation to stop caring for their house and start caring for their country. “Nearly 1,600,000 women joined the work force between 1914 and 1918 in hospitals, public transportation, post offices, as land workers, as telephone operators, in factories etc.” (www.warandgender.com) But most importantly many women took on the dangerous jobs in ammunition factories, which were employing 950,000 women by Armistice Day.