WWI+-+Role+of+Civilians

Civilians of both the allied and central powers were drastically affected by the First World War and the outcome that resulted from it. They were impacted mentally, emotionally and economically. The concept of a “home front” meaning that an army made of solely civilians was introduced during the First World War. Before 1914, wars fought by European colonies were fought by professional armies, with the civilian population being not a part of fighting. However, the First World War included conflicts were civilians were included making this a total war. Men on both sides were recruited into services and had to work in factories and other manufacturing industries in order to aid the army. Furthermore civilians were directly impacted by warfare and the bombings of their land. Civilians often found themselves directly in an area that was being bombed and often had to leave their homes and their livestock in order to avoid these. On the allied powers perspective, the British people felt that they had the right to go against war with Germany since the Germans had violated the independence of Belgium, which was a neutral country which was protected by the France, Britain and Germany and they had started to exploit the materials that Belgium had. This angered a great amount of British people and encouraged them to fight against Germany and prepare for a war against them. The British civilians realized that Germany had treated the prisoners and refugees of their occupied territories in a violent way. Furthermore the sinking of the Lusitania made the civilian realize that the Germans were a major enemy. The civilians also realized that the Germans would likely disregard the current human rights that were put in place in 1908 by the Hague Protocol since the Germans greatly supported the use of gas against civilians and the military. Furthermore, women were also recruited into war work which for many European countries was the first time. In the allied power of Britain civilian women started working in nursing, in the manufacturing of ammunition and in transport. Also, when food rationing was introduced in 1918, following the blocking of food being sent to Britain by the Germans using submarines, British housewives, started to search for supplies and gathered mainly sugar and meat. This was of great importance to the civilians and their families in Britain during the First World War and also gave the housewives a part to play in the war. Women suffrage movements such as NUWSS and WSPU combined to become the NUWWS movement. Children also played a great role in the First World War and they had an impacting role with the number of child workers who were under 14 increasing greatly throughout the war. Ultimately, this helped women gain a profile and rights in society that they had been previously denied to them before the war. They women were also given more responsible jobs, better education and advanced employment. The civilians of the Central powers were also greatly affected by the war. Civilians in major German citizens were affected by the bombings and the shortages of food. They also had to always look out for air raids and there was always fear that the Germans would be defeated therefore leading to a crisis in Germany. The living conditions also became allot worse and the many people did not have great hygiene and therefore the death toll rose. 10 million soldiers were killed in battle in the First World War meaning that almost every family lost someone during the war. The propaganda also gave the false impression that everything was great during the war and in Britain the citizens thought that they were winning the war. The effect that the First World War had on civilians was great. The economic impact on the countries involved in the First World War and the target that the civilians had become greatly affected the lives of the people.
 * //Johannes//**