Historical Investigation
Level: Higher
Candidate: Adriana Bendeck
001275001
Word Count: 1,900
A. Plan of Investigation How Did World War I Impact Women? As men left their old work to fill the need for soldiers, women were able, and in fact needed, to take the men’s place in the work force. The aim of this investigation is to find out the effects that World War I had on women in this period of time. The Great War changed the role of women in the workplace forever, as more and more young men volunteered or were drafted into the armed forces to fight in the war, women were called upon to fill their roles in the factories, mines and many other roles traditionally carried out by the men. This investigation will cover women in the war – in all branches, women’s role changes, as well as the effects of World War I and how these effects contributed to the change of roles of women in the workplace. Most research will be from a variety of websites, as well as several books, that not only include the Great War itself but the impact on women throughout. For example, “American Women in World War I” by Lettie Gavin, provides insightful information of women in all branches of the military as well as their jobs and tasks within the war.
B. Summary of Evidence In the early twentieth century, a woman’s place was considered to be in the home, the school and the church.[1] However, when warfare struck, American leaders realized how women could and would provide vital aid, and thereby expanding the roles of women. When the United States declared war in 1917 and 4 million young men were drafted for the armed services, America’s labor shortage became serious. Waging all-out war in 1914 was also extremely expensive.[2]Armies on both sides needed millions of uniforms, warm jackets, leather boots, helmets, eating utensils, cots, blankets, tents, guns, and bullets in unlimited numbers, tons of food per