Was WWI a Turning Point for Women? Flashcards
What was there new demand for during WWI? How many more women worked, and what were farming women known as? Which sector extended from 1917? Who moved North?
Demand grew for engineering products, food processing, textiles.
Three million more people were working compared to 1865.
A higher demand for food led to more farming, and new women were known as ‘farmerettes.’
Clerical work extended from 1917.
African American workers moved North and could enjoy new opportunities.
Which charities did women support?
20,000 women moved overseas to support the armed forces with YMCA, Red Cross, and the Salvation Army, although there were no female doctors.
How did the Nineteenth Amendment become established?
Carrie Chapman Catt of NAWSA promised that suffrage would lead to women supporting the war, as agreed by Wilson.
NY and Illinois legalised the vote in 1917 followed by South Dakota, Michigan, and Omaha in 1918. NAWSA targeted anti-suffrage senators. A significant argument was that the US was supporting the progressive allies against the autocratic militarist Germany and so women shouldn’t be denied franchise.
In 1919 the Nineteenth Amendment was set giving women the vote, and was carried out in 1920.
Throughout the war which changes were made?
What industry expanded in 1914, and what other roles did women take part in?
In 1914 there was an expansion of ammunition for fighters creating new work for unemployed and African Americans in cities. By 1917 the US entered war creating pressure on middle class women to support the effort. In cities women worked in heavy industry, drove transport, and delivered mail. 11,000 women also worked in the US navy as nurses, clerical workers, and telephone operators. Between 1917-18 one million worked in industry.
Why did working for the armed forces not show that WWI was a turning point?
30,000 worked for the armed forces but this was seen as an extension of domestic duties such as laundry and nursing.
What were failures of achieving the vote?
The vote failed to engage women with politics excluding those involving the family and home. Pressure groups also the women’s movement, with different social and moral campaigns.
What other arguments showed WWI wasn’t a turning point?
Train and tram conductors and female police officers were exaggerated in number.
358 women were killed and others suffered injury and illness.
Much work continued to be in traditional roles. Wages rose but there was poor childcare provision and not much equality between male and female labour.
What overall conclusion may be made?
Overall the war didn’t make significant changes in women’s lives, as the role of married women wasn’t changed and it was expected they would leave their jobs when men returned.
