Women and the Great War

1. Women and the Great War

2. Before August 1914, some women were in the news as a result of petitions, marches and breaking the law – trying to force Parliament to enfranchise them

3. Key points: Before WWI, the most common employment for women was in textile factories or domestic service. They also worked in what were seen to be suitable occupations …teaching, nursing, office work.

4. Key points When war broke out in August 1914, thousands left non- essential jobs in dressmaking, millinery etc. They wanted to help the war effort. Women were used in recruiting campaigns – appealing to men to ‘do their duty’ and join up.

5. Key points Suffragettes stopped all militant action in order tosupportthe war effort. (Sylvia Pankhurst, however, was opposed to the war). There was a minority of womeninvolved in anti- war movements, supporting conscientious objectors etc.

6. Key points: There was trade union opposition– fears that women would take men’s jobs (at lower pay). The employment of women did not increase significantly before summer 1915. In July 1915, a‘Right to Work’ march was led by suffragette, Christabel Pankhurst.

7. Key points The shell shortage crisis in 1915 changed the situation. Women were taken on to work in munitions factories. The government did a deal with the trade unions, (Treasury Agreements). The unions agreed to accept female labour in place of men‘for the duration of the war’.

10. Key points The introduction of conscription for men in 1916 led to an increase in the number of women employed in all sectors of the economy.

11. Key points Women worked for various reasons: patriotism need (loss of breadwinner) excitement -chance to break from tradition (often young women from wealthier families)

13. Key points Women became more visible in the world of work. They were seen to be doing important jobs.

14. Key points There were good wages, especially in munitions factories –work could be dangerous –explosions, chemical damage (‘canaries’). In most cases, they were paid lower rates than men. Improved wages did permit greater independence for some women and helped many families whose men were killed or injured.

15. Key points The armed forces also employed women, but the jobs were mainly of a clerical or domestic nature. This released servicemen who could then be sent to fight. Some women worked in areas that gave them modern skills and a greater taste of freedom.

19. Key points Women were in great demand for the ‘caring’ side of employment and became nurses in the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, and drivers and clerks in Voluntary Aid Detachments. Some were able to travel overseas for the first time.

20. VADs

21. After the War 1 Women were expected to give way to men returning from the forces and return to pre-war ‘women’s work’. 2 The assumption that ‘a woman’s place is in the home’ returned. 3 The percentage of women at work returned to pre-war levels. 4 More women than before worked in offices.

22. After the War 5 Shorter skirts and hair became fashionable. 6 Women went out with men without a chaperone. 7 Women smoked and wore make-up in public for the first time. 8 In 1919: being female or married was no longer a reason to disqualify someone from holding a job in the professions or civil service.

23. The VoteBefore the war ended, Parliament passed the ’Representation of the People Act’. All men over the age of 21 and women over the age of 30 were given the right to vote. • IIt was claimed that women under 30 were not sensible enough to deal with political matters. • IIt might have been fears in the 2 main parties that a majority of women aged 21-30 were working class and would be likely to vote Labour. • IIn 1928, the vote was given to women over 21. (the ‘Flapper Vote’)

24. The Vote So why did women gain the right to vote? Would they have got it without constant, peaceful campaigning by the NUWSS (suffragists)? How important were WSPU actions (suffragettes) in showing how much the vote was wanted? Did women’s efforts in WWI actually gain them the vote or just speed up the inevitable?