During the years prior as well of the first years of World War 1, the war was also taking a huge effect of shaping the homefront in new ways. With a lack of workforce due to soldiers off fighting, the working class dynamic changed in a huge way. The struggle of war also led to revolutions and inner conflict on the homefront.
The most profound effects that the Great War had on the homefront of European countries was a thriving new job market for women as well as increased wages, a period of political and social unrest in Russia, and an initial sense of pride and nationalism at the beginning of the war which eventually nded up and a strong sense of depression and solemness. Over the years of the war different countries experienced different changes but most had some things in common as well. As the war began, women had a small place in the workforce at home, mainly occupying a large part of the textile and clothing industries.
As it came closer to the end of that war, with the increased number of troops now fighting, women soon took over a large portion of all jobs on the homefront. A report from the War Cabinet Committee on Women in British Industry gives evidence that the reported numbers of women in every field but extiles and clothing went up; most likely due to some leaving that field to occupy other jobs. (Doc 1) This “transfer” of jobs to women would also go on to heavily influence the decisions of women in the upcoming future when they push for their suffrage rights.
Naomi Loughnan, most likely a proud worker by the way she described her job, tells about how rewarding it is finally having a position in the workforce. (Doc 4) She mentions the hard work that the women in the factory have to endure but they are getting paid and they feel the need to work to support the soldier who are out fighting. Loughnan’s account serves as a erfect example about just how much women affected the war effort by making all the munitions and vehicles when there were no men around to make them.
Another profound effect the the Great War had was specifically on Russia and can even still be seen as affecting American citizens today. During the start of WW1 when Nicholas Il went into war with his soldiers, the Romonav’s were weak and Rasputin was driving the family as well of the country in the ground. With the large amount of death people were losing faith in the Russian government and things had to change. People were stirring up all kinds of violence. A recorded session from the Tsar’s Council of ministers talks about how people were killed and wounded when guards had to fire on a crowd of innocents. Doc 5)
The record says, “ one cannot quiet the whole of Russia by the police alone. ” This is clear evidence that without a strong authoritarian ruler and with the constant struggle of the war, WW1 had a profound enough effect on Russia to cause a nationwide revolt that was unable to be handled. Switches in power as well as a stupid decision with the newly formed government to let in Bolsheviks, Lenin came into power and changed the future of Russia forever by making it a ommunist country, an outcome which affected the rest of the world up until around 1989.
Perhaps the most interesting and ironic effect the outbreak of the Great War had on the homefront was the gradual switch from celebration to depression and regret. Due to the lack of wars in the previous 100 years of European history, everyone was all riled up and ready for a fight. Initially all the countries thought that they would do a little fighting and quickly get it out of their system; most people were even celebrating the war declaration. One example can be seen in Stefan Zweig’s Autobiography. He writes, “. young recruits were marching triumphantly, their faces lighting up at the cheering.. (Doc 2)
As an Austrian writer, Zweig was a countryman of the country who pretty much started everything by declaring war on Serbia. As an Austrian he must have been proud in the moment and it is evident in the way he writes about the excitement in the streets. However, as he writes this looking back, his tone has clearly changed over time and even though he has fond memories of this moment, he now as he is writing realizes the mistake made by his countrymen in fighting. Nevertheless, the scene at the eginning of war is an exciting one for many Austrians who see a swift victory over Serbia.
Similarly enough, a British writer who also recounting the day war was declared, states that he is amazed at the people cheering in the streets, for who wants a war? (Doc 3) Both documents together provide evidence that the initial excitement of war was not specific to one country but a shared view across Europe. However as the years went on the view would change. Rosa Luxemburg, an advocate for Socialism in Germany, is looking for an outlet for socialism to be inserted and fill the void in Germany left by the effects of the Great War.
She says, the streets.. (Doc 7) From the author’s point of view, Germany was in one the darkest places in its history. After having to reduce the army and pay a huge reparation bill, Germany was in dire need as something to lift it out of the water. The initial feelings of nationalism and pride had completely gone away and people were glad to have even made it home. The war turned out to be the most devastating, as well as expensive in money and human life, wars to date. Germany was not the only one affected by this. Although the Triple Entante had won the day, all countries where feeling the struggle of war.
With around 50% of all people in the war in Europe killed, the lose war surely gripping on all homefront as many families lost fathers, uncles, Gone is the euphoria. Gone the patriotic noise in brothers. Being the second largest war in scale and amount of countries, the Great War had profound effects on European countries, especially on the homefront. Due to the struggle caused by the Great War led to a drastic increase in the role of women in the workforce, a struggle for a better government in Russia, and an initial sense of pride that turned out to be a sense of depression and regret.
The Great War created a new standard of country relations as well as a new standard between people. It had a profound effect on the whole world and certainly will always be remembered as a horrible event that helped found modern Europe. A similar event to World War 1 is World War 2. Both wars took place in world history and involved most of the same countries. Women also picked up the slack of the fighting soldiers and were proud to serve their country by making products to support the war effort. We also managed to hold an alliance with Russia even though they were going through a similar transition as in World War 1.
