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Economic, social and demographic impact; changes in the role and status of women
In what ways was the role and status of women affected(or not) by WW1?
Economically
Socially
Politically
Economic aspects of the role and status of women changing due to WW1
Huge female employment increase
By late 1918, 90% workers were female
Male factory workers status + wages threatened
Gov agreement that women will only be trained to a ‘semi-skilled’ level had to work under male supervision to prevent them feeling undermined
Women worked on infrastructure + farms (over 100,000 volunteers for the Women’s Land Army)
Lots of enlisting into military service like mechanics, drivers, nursing
July 1918- male + female munitions workers in Coventry went on strike
1918- women bus + train workers went on strike demanding more money for same work as men
Strikes increased + bonus but not equal pay
Economic aspects of how womens role and status didnt change
much of the effort faded when war ended- only a ‘temporary measure’
womens wages still half of mens
womens temporary jobs replaced by men
Social aspects of the role and status of women changing due to WW1
Manufacturers developed new tech to assist women with domestic chores- vaccum cleaner
1915 Women’s Institute formed- focus on class harmony
challenged traditional gender norms
impact on family dynamics to a certain extent- women were included abit more in economic discussions
womens football increased in popularity during war
Strikes, like the ‘rent-strike’ in Glasgow 1915- Gov introduced the Rent Restriction Act (helped women at home)
Socialist Pankhurst set up cheap mother and baby clinic- led to formation of local authority maternity + child welfare committees
Social aspects of how womens role and status didnt change
social expectations and postwar backlash: women expected to return to traditional roles, men and society angered by growing independence- measures taken
after war, womens football banned by FA to surpress independence + return to culture before war
struggles for sexual freedom
continued gender equality + mistreatment
only women over 30 in high class given a vote
Political aspects of the role and status of women changing due to WW1
increased political activism; eg strikes in 1918 rose wages slightly
womens suffrage after war 1918- women made up 43% electorates eligible to vote (some argue due to war contribution)
1915 newly formed womens institutes advocated learning (ab economics)
formation of feminist movements put pressure on gov
WSPU encourages men to enlist and for women to entire traditionally male employment roles for the war effort
Political aspects of how womens role and status didnt change
struggles for equal representation
voting often made up of young naive women- unequal
Arguably women´s suffrage more to do with the campaigning women did to get vote before the war than after it as a reward for their war effort.
What were the 2 main movements campaigning for women to get the vote in Britain before WW1?
The Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU)
WSPU thought that for women to be viewed as men they should show force through provocative methods to break the traditional image of women as weak and domestic
Violence adopted from 1912 (window breaking, destruction of public property) and 1913 adopted of sustained arson policy prevented progress of women gaining the vote
The National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS)
NUWSS and WSPU different strategies- lots of internal division
NUWSS believed differences between women and men should be appreciated
NUWSS pursed peaceful methods of campaigning
Arguments that women got the vote because of what they did before the war
Role and perception of women
Role
Changed under exceptional circumstances
Some allowed vote
Perception
Women still seen as inferior to men
Note
Flashcard