War on the Home Front

Total War By 1917, Europe had lost more men in battle than in the previous 300 years combined Governments in Europe devote everything to war effort Total War: countries devoted all their resources to the war effort

Total War Wartime governments took control of the economy Governments told factories what to produce and how much Nearly every able-bodied civilian was put to work Positives: no unemployment, women in the work force

Rationing Goods were in short supply Governments turned to rationing People could buy only small amounts of items that were also needed for the war effort Eventually covered a wide range of goods (butter to shoe leather)

Propaganda Governments suppressed antiwar activity, sometimes forcibly Governments censored news about the war Leaders feared that honest reporting would turn people against the war

Propaganda Propaganda—one-sided information designed to persuade, to keep up morale, and support the war As more died, each side had to build confidence in victory and increase hatred of enemy made enemy seem inhuman controlled the press

"There's Room for You" Parliamentary Recruiting Committee, London 1915

"Only the Navy can Stop This" New York: U. S "Only the Navy can Stop This" New York: U. S. Navy Publishing Bureau 1917

THE HOME-FRONT Evolution in the portrayal of women. Shifted from one of women as victims to a more positive image: As care givers. Factory workers in jobs formerly held by men.

Parliamentary Recruiting Committee London 1915

"Four Years in the Fight" Lucien Hector Jonas United War Work Campaign USA 1918

USA 1918

The Frenchwoman in War-Time. Artist: G. Capon - France 1917

USA 1918

USA 1918

Women and the War B/C of Total War governments turned to women Thousands of women replaced men in factories, offices, and shops Women built tanks and munitions, plowed fields, paved streets, and ran hospitals They also kept troops supplied with food, clothing, and weapons

Women in the War Women also experienced the war first hand, working as nurses on or near the front lines. Most left the workforce after the war, but people’s view of women’s capabilities were changed

The Collapse of Russia Many Russians welcomed war in 1914 but soon saw terrible toll, stories of disaster and poor leadership food shortages at home March 1917--bread riots in Petrograd (St. Petersburg) led to a revolution and the overthrow of the czar

The Collapse of Russia provisional government set up with a promise to continue war Allies looked to new leaders to strengthen will to fight Allies needed Russia to keep Germany busy on Eastern Front but morale was low: many soldiers left front and returned home

Russian collapse, France threatened second revolution (led by Lenin, who was brought back in to Russia by Germany) followed by civil war Treaty of Brest – Litovsk signed (march 1918), withdrew Russia from war very harsh; Russia lost 25% of land and population Germany now free to fight only on Western Front Paris threatened again