History Unit 1: Women In The First World War

Question 1

Women in World War One

Answer 1

• everyone in Canada experienced changes as a consequence
  
  • > for women, ww1 turning point for equality
• during the First World War gender roles/stereotypes were pretty strict
• womens seen week/delicate/vulnerable
  
  • > not allowed combat role w/ armed forces
  • > barre from combat, though were used on the front lines
  • > served as nurses/ ambulances drivers
    - > allowed women to receive medical education (usually only men had them)
    - > some nurses killed, received decorations for bravery

Question 2

Women and the workforce

Answer 2

“Total war” -> mobilization (everyone does their part)
Severe drain in the workplace -> women moved into workforce and replaced essential jobs
- broke gender barriers -> work in heavy industries, produce material, gun/bullet/uniform
- began to earn own money
- 200000 jobs in government, half million - clerical workers
- couldn’t work in factories, knit clothes for women overseas
- raised funds for soldiers family and volunteer organization (YWCA, Next-Of-Kin-Association)
- expected to leave jobs once men returned

Question 3

Women and propaganda

Answer 3

• women was the focus
  
  • > played up existing gender stereotypes
• government convinced public needed to be protected by male solders
• women used to Apple moral + sexual pleasure to enlist men
• white feather campaign: white feather given to non - enlisted men, sign of coward ness

Question 4

War and the suffrage movement

Answer 4

• the right to vote
• reinforcement that women should have same privileges as men
• effort to gain more votes (prime minister bordon) passed the wartime election act 1917 (mom, sisters, daughters, and wife’s to vote)
• act later extended to women over 21
• women from minority groups were excluded

Question 5

Post war

Answer 5

Women were vital in keeping the country running

• when war ended women expected to give back jobs and return to pre - war roles in home
• road to equality begun to be paved - women became increasingly involved in politics, law, journal
• ww1 changed women’s roles in Canada

Question 6

What was some things women did when war was happening

Answer 6

• replace men civilian jobs ex. Street car drivers, secretaries and office managers, police
• moved onto farms to help bring in crops
  Without paying jobs:
  Knitted, sent letters and care packages, and visit families of men who had been killed