Why Is World War 1 A Turning Point

World War One was a turning point in European power, politics, and pride. It represented the political collapse in Europe, and “this catastrophic downturn suggested that Western capitalism was likewise failing” (990). Europe had remained the center of global power through the Industrial and Scientific Revolution, and controlled a large part of the world, either directly through colonialism or through economic means. They were a people of great pride, influence, and nationalism. Yet, their sense of superiority and power would not last through the nineteen hundreds, instead, the First World War would denounce their position as the greatest global power.
World War One was the starting point of Europe’s collapse. After the war, Europe was no longer …show more content…
The huge decrease in male labor during the war needed to be replaced. Women filled the roles of men in the workforce, and were encouraged to work in the munitions industry. While they worked, their women 's suffrage movement was put on hold, but just until the war was over. Once the war ended, women were strongly encouraged to leave the workforce and return to their household duties as a mother, like they had done before the war. Yet, the war left many of the without a husband or children. Not long after, women gained the right to vote, even though they were forced out of work. After the war, the French established Mother 's Day "a new holiday designed to encourage childbearing and thus replace the millions lost in the war”(988). Another social difference for women after the war was the development of flappers. These were young middle class women who turned away from the traditional social behaviors of the time before them. They cut their hair short, partied, drank liquor, danced, went to night clubs, and wore revealing clothing. Once the war was over, Europe had the challenge integrating millions of veterans back into civilian life in an unstable