Turning point in Womens suffrage during World War 1
Entering into World War One was a turning point in Womens suffrage movement. Women were strongly advised to join but before this they were seen as unequal to the men. Once in the war, womens services were a valuable contribution. Further as a turning point serving in the war changed societies view on womens equality.
Most nations also called upon and celebrated women as mothers, the representative of family life and domesticity ( history.net, no date). Right up to the outbreak of ww1, feminists on both sides pledged themselves for peace, in transnational women solidarity, within months of the war outbreak. Partial womens suffrage was achieved in 1918, allowing women over the age of 30 …show more content…
They participated in ‘war work’ like working in garment plants, machine shops. And steel mills. Millions of working class women faced through tough and dangerous war work. Shifts lasting12 hours or more. Women who working in the munitions factories making shells worked in the most dangerous conditions. They were nicknamed ‘canary girls’ because of the effect of working with TNT. “ our skin was perfect yellow, right down through the body, legs and toenails even, perfectly yellow” Reported Mrs M Hall after a ten hour shift absorbing deadly levels of TNT. The work had left long term health problems such as Jaundice and Mercury poisoning- over 400 women died of exposure to TNT alone. Accidents and explosions also occurred and were common but had been hushed by the government as they can control what is being reported ( noglory.org,no date) . As a less dangerous job, women also organised drives to sell war bonds or get donation to help injured people. Women were encouraged to help the war effort by joining voluntary organisations. Groups active at this time included the Australian red cross, the country womens association, women christian temperance union, women national league and The Australian comforts league (enotes.com,14th December,2009)
Entering into World War One was a turning point in Womens suffrage movement. Women were strongly advised to join but before this they were seen as unequal to the men. Once in the war, womens services were a valuable contribution. Further as a turning point serving in the war changed societies view on womens equality.
Most nations also called upon and celebrated women as mothers, the representative of family life and domesticity ( history.net, no date). Right up to the outbreak of ww1, feminists on both sides pledged themselves for peace, in transnational women solidarity, within months of the war outbreak. Partial womens suffrage was achieved in 1918, allowing women over the age of 30 …show more content…
They participated in ‘war work’ like working in garment plants, machine shops. And steel mills. Millions of working class women faced through tough and dangerous war work. Shifts lasting12 hours or more. Women who working in the munitions factories making shells worked in the most dangerous conditions. They were nicknamed ‘canary girls’ because of the effect of working with TNT. “ our skin was perfect yellow, right down through the body, legs and toenails even, perfectly yellow” Reported Mrs M Hall after a ten hour shift absorbing deadly levels of TNT. The work had left long term health problems such as Jaundice and Mercury poisoning- over 400 women died of exposure to TNT alone. Accidents and explosions also occurred and were common but had been hushed by the government as they can control what is being reported ( noglory.org,no date) . As a less dangerous job, women also organised drives to sell war bonds or get donation to help injured people. Women were encouraged to help the war effort by joining voluntary organisations. Groups active at this time included the Australian red cross, the country womens association, women christian temperance union, women national league and The Australian comforts league (enotes.com,14th December,2009)