civilian life and women's role
Civilian life was changed during this time because over 500,000 men enlisted in the army, private land was able to be ceased by the government under DORA, censoring of the news, and an increase in propaganda. The news was censored to show the soldiers as heroic, brave men, and to hide the high death tolls and the devastation of trench warfare. During this time women went to work while men were at war. Since men were taken out of the workforce, women took their place. Patriotism and high wages brought women into formerly "male" jobs. Women began to go to work and leave behind their domestic services. Many millions of women also worked long, hard hours in the factory creating shells and ammunition.
edith cavell (december 4th, 1865 - october 12th, 1915)
In November of 1914, Nurse Cavell began sheltering British soldiers and helping them to escape from the occupied state of Belgium into the neutral Holland. She helped an estimated 200 soldiers escape from German occupied territory. Wounded French and British soldiers were hidden from the Germans and provided with false papers. They were then sent to Nurse Cavell's house where she sheltered, treated, and helped them to escape. Nurse Cavell helped soldiers from both sides, whether or not they opposed her country. She credited this due to her strong Anglican beliefs. However, she was in violation of German military law since she harbored Allied troops. She was arrested on August 3rd, 1915, and held in captivity for 10 weeks. Her story and great deeds called for international support of her release. However, she was executed on October 12th by eight German soldiers.
"Patriotism is not enough, I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone" -Edith Cavell
propaganda
Propaganda was a form of government censorship that allowed for only certain messages to be relayed to the public. During World War 1, propaganda was used to spread a message of brave, heroic soldiers going off into the war to fight for their country. These messages hid the dangerous, horrendous situations and battles that actually occurred and would have prevented more men from enlisting, or for others to support the war cause. Propaganda was also used to promote women working in dangerous factories for long, terrible hours.
men and propaganda
This was one of the most common propaganda posters in the United States. This poster conveyed the idea that you were essential in the war effort, and if you did not enlist in the Army then you were not helping your country. This poster also conveyed a patriotic, nationalistic moral into the people that viewed it.
Women and propaganda
This poster was aimed towards women and promoted their inclusion into the workforce while men were away at war. It shows a woman with her hair in a bun and her sleeve pulled up, conveying a message of strength and the text also delivers a sense of power and responsibility to one's country.