The great war and everyday life in scotland

Question 1

Describe the changing role of women during the war

Answer 1

• while men were away fighting women took up their roles - working as conductors on trams and buses, typists and secretaries in offices, and factories;
• also worked in engineering - specifically the munitions factories due to the ;
• after the war, women did not keep their jobs;
• Restoration of Pre-War practices Act meant returning soldiers were given their jobs back;
• women’s place was still thought to be in the home

Question 2

explain why conscription was introduced and what were conscientious objectors?

Answer 2

• Military Service Act introduced enforced conscription for men between 19-40 yrs old (extended to 50 by 1918);
• supporters argued that men had a duty to defend their country;
• those against said conscription had never been used in Britain before and it was another example of the government’s increase in power against individual liberty;
• COs refused to accept conscription on grounds of political and religious beliefs;
• some COs were sent to prison while others helped perform non combat duties;
• during and after the war very few people had sympathy for COs.

Question 3

describe the effect of high casualties and deaths on Scottish society

Answer 3

• after 4 years of war many scots men lost their lives;
• Scottish people wanted to commemorate their deaths and so towns and villages built their own memorials to remember and commemorate the dead;
• demand for national war memorial which is in Edinburgh castle;
• Scottish people hoped those who died did not do so in vain and that this war would be the war to end all wars.;

Question 4

explain why propaganda and rationing were necessary during wartime

Answer 4

• propaganda was used by the govt to involve people in the war - to either support their side or encourage hatred for the other side;
• repeating messages such as “don’t waste your food” the govt tried to persuade people to do what they wanted.
• Rationing was started to ensure that everyone had access to regular sufficient food supply;
• rationing also allowed the govt to control food prices;
• Britain was facing food shortages because German submarines were attacking merchant ships carrying food to Britain;
• April 1918 there was full scale rationing in force.