Total war - the homefront.
life In europe
As the war progressed, not only did surviving become more difficult for the troops on the feild, but also for the women and children left at home, trying to get by on their own. The rules of war had been changed, so to speak. There were no boundaries anymore, meaning civilians were now targets. Naval blockades were used to deny entire populations food, starving them, and bombs would rain from enemy planes. Through all this chaos, governments attempted to keep their populations calm and under control, often with little success.
Women and war
With almost every man gone to fight for their countries, the women of Europe were left at home to take care of themselves. They now had to take the on the roles of men in almost every situation, at work and in their familes. Woman of every class, high and low, would now be practically forced to take "male" jobs. Women would work in factories, on farms, as managers of businesses, as postal workers, and police officers, in addition to taking care of children and fulfilling domestic responsibilities.
Although many did stay home, women also played crucial roles in the war efforts by becoming nurses, physicians, communications clerks, and probably most importantly, making shells. The long hours of work in ammunition factories became very dangerous, resulting in many deaths. Sparks would cause explosions, and exposure to TNT explosives poisoned many.
Although many did stay home, women also played crucial roles in the war efforts by becoming nurses, physicians, communications clerks, and probably most importantly, making shells. The long hours of work in ammunition factories became very dangerous, resulting in many deaths. Sparks would cause explosions, and exposure to TNT explosives poisoned many.
"Like so many others when war was declared, I applied at once to the St. John Ambulance, to which I belonged, to know if there was any possibility of their making use of me, my only recommendation being three months' training in the London Hospital. I was told that only trained nurses were wanted, and so gave up hope, but three days later the British Red Cross got an appeal for forty nurses to be sent out to Belgium; five St. John Ambulance nurses (V.A.D.'s later on) were being sent, and I was asked if I would go.
I naturally accepted with alacrity, and August 14th found us in Brussels. Most of us were taken to the Hotel Metropole, where we were to await orders. As there was a big battle expected any day, we should all be badly wanted."
-Taken from the memoir of Miss Esmee Sartorius .
I naturally accepted with alacrity, and August 14th found us in Brussels. Most of us were taken to the Hotel Metropole, where we were to await orders. As there was a big battle expected any day, we should all be badly wanted."
-Taken from the memoir of Miss Esmee Sartorius .
propaganda
In an attempt to keep their citizens calm and maintain their support, governments created propaganda to make them believe that their efforts in the war were paying off and that they need not be concerned by censoring any bad news. Propaganda was especially useful in creating a feeling of unity and encouraging good attitudes as well as making involvement in the war seem more appealing and honorable.
The posters below encourage the mining of coal and joining the air service by saying that those who do are "standing by the boys in the trenches" and "serving" making them feel included and giving them a sense of self and national pride.