Role of Women During World War I By

Role of Women During World War I By: Rachel Kimery

War and Women � World War 1 was a pivotal time for women. � This is because it gave women an opportunity to prove themselves in a male-dominated society, doing more than cleaning the house and tending to the children. With so many men going to war, there was a large gap in employment and, in response, women came in to replace the men. � Some of the more well-known roles of women in WW 1 include: • nurses, munitions factory workers, sewing bandages, and selling war bonds, shipyards and spies. The Women's Royal Air Force was created, which is where women worked on planes as mechanics.

Women’s Work in World War I � Women's work in WW 1 • During WWI (1914 -1918), large numbers of women were recruited into jobs vacated by men who had gone to fight in the war. New jobs were also created as part of the war effort. • The high demand for weapons resulted in the munitions factories (specialized in filling various weapons). Though there was initial resistance to hiring women for what was seen as ‘men’s work’, the introduction of conscription (needing enlistment) in 1916 made the need for women workers urgent.

What War did for Women �What did World War 1 do for women? • Because of the men being gone for war, this meant the women had to take on traditionally men's work which lead to different attitudes. • With the leading of women at home this somewhat changed the stereotypical thought on women, whether people liked it or not. • When the war ended in November 1918 8. 4 million women were granted the right to vote.

Governments Propaganda for WWI

Role of Women in WWI Activity � Watch: http: //www. bbc. co. uk/education/clips/zc 44 d 2 p � http: //www. bbc. co. uk/education/clips/zf 9 pb 9 q � Give an answer for each of the questions following the two videos on The Role of Women During WWI: 1) 2) 3) 4) How many jobs can you identify women undertaking in the two video clips? What does "social revolution" mean? How did women's entry into the workplace during WW 1 contribute to the war effort? What was the main message in the government's propaganda film shown in 'Women at War'?