Activity 1
As many men went off to fight in the First World War, women took over their jobs. Women did essential war work - in munitions factories, for example. Some women joined the Land Army to help to produce food to feed the people.
Women worked as nurses at the Western Front, many as part of the Voluntary Aid Detachments. Others joined the newly formed women's forces, such as the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC), which provided support for the armed forces.
It is generally agreed that one of the reasons women gained the vote was because of their hard work and dedication during the First World War.
Question 1
Read Source 38, Source 39, Source 40 pg 1 and Source 40 pg 2
Do you think munitions work was important to the war effort? Give reasons for your answer, referring clearly to the sources.
What effects did working in the munitions factory have on the women’s health?
Question 2
Read Source 41 and Source 42.
What type of work did policewomen do during the war?
Did they gain any respect for the work they did?
Question 3
Read Source 43, Source 44, Source 45 and Source 46.
Make a list of the jobs being done by the women in these sources.
What opinions are shown towards the women who did these jobs? Refer clearly to at least two sources.
Question 4
Read Source 47.
What sort of farm work is the woman learning to do? Make a list.
What are the dangers she faced? Make a list.
Do you feel that women deserved to gain respect for the work they did during the war? Explain your answer.
Question 5
Watch the documentary film showing women at work in a field hospital (Source 59).
List some of the tasks that women had to carry out at this field hospital in France.
What qualities or characteristics do you think would be needed to work at a field hospital like this one? Give reasons for your answer.
