Civilian Influences in the War
Civilians were expected to work toward the war effort, mostly in creating goods used by the soldiers. To increase the efficiency of the work workers were paid more, but they also had longer and more demanding hours. Governments frequently took control of private companies since there was an increasing demand for raw materials as well as manufactured goods. Men were also likely to be recruited as the ages for military service was changed often. For example, in Germany people could enlist from the ages of 16 to 60 to fight on the front lines.
Women's Role in the War
As men were often sent to fight, women had to fulfill formerly male-only roles. Among the most important were support roles such as nurses, communication clerks, and workers who created munitions for the army. Many upper-class women felt this was a time of freedom and liberation from the way of life they faced prior to the war. Working class women did not notice as large of a change in their freedom since they were employed in industry before the war, but they did gain voting rights after the war in Britain, Germany, and Austria.
Story of Loretta Perfectus Walsh
Twelve days before President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war, Loretta Perfectus Walsh was sworn in as the first active-duty American woman with the Navy. She was inspired to join the war effort when she learned that German U-Boats were attacking U.S. ships.
Ms. Walsh was born on Aug. 22, 1896 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When she was sworn in as Chief Yeoman, commonly referred to as Yeomanette to distinguish her as a female, on March 17, 1917 she was eighteen years
old. Walsh joined the first branch of the U.S. armed forces to allow women to work in jobs other than nursing. Because of her rank as Yeoman, she was the first of 13,000 WWI Yeoman females to qualify for equal pay, benefits, and responsibilities as men. Her role in the war was a primarily clerical position.
When the war ended on November 11, 1918, Walsh was released from active duty, but her inactive reserve status continued and entitled her to a small retainer pay until her four-year enlistment responsibility ended on March 17, 1921. The year after she enlisted, she contracted influenza and later tuberculosis. Ms. Walsh died on August 6, 1925. A monument at her grave commemorates her service during WWI.
Ms. Walsh was born on Aug. 22, 1896 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When she was sworn in as Chief Yeoman, commonly referred to as Yeomanette to distinguish her as a female, on March 17, 1917 she was eighteen years
old. Walsh joined the first branch of the U.S. armed forces to allow women to work in jobs other than nursing. Because of her rank as Yeoman, she was the first of 13,000 WWI Yeoman females to qualify for equal pay, benefits, and responsibilities as men. Her role in the war was a primarily clerical position.
When the war ended on November 11, 1918, Walsh was released from active duty, but her inactive reserve status continued and entitled her to a small retainer pay until her four-year enlistment responsibility ended on March 17, 1921. The year after she enlisted, she contracted influenza and later tuberculosis. Ms. Walsh died on August 6, 1925. A monument at her grave commemorates her service during WWI.
The Uses and Effects of Propaganda
Governments used propaganda as a method of either promoting a positive self-image or depicting the opposing army as a brute. By turning the enemy into something less human, soldiers made civilians feel less guilty for hating and killing the opposition. These posters, pamphlets, and "scientific studies" were often created to dehumanize the target or glorify the nation it was created for. Overuse of negative stereotypes in propaganda would eventually desensitize countries, allowing for more horrible treatment of others in the future.
This American propaganda poster portrays an ape-man that symbolizes Germany. The ape has a helmet with "militarism" written on it and a club with the German word "kultur" on it, which means culture in German. Within his arms is a helpless woman, most likely representing liberty and how the Germans are trying to take it away from everyone. This poster emphasizes America's reluctance to enter the war until 1917. Instead of the usual enlistment posters for men, this one calls for women and children as well to help in the war effort. |