Women At Home

Whilst some women decided to go to the scene of war, most women stayed at home to take care of the household, deliver needed goods, comfort and support their fellow troops and men. Women would sew clothes; write love filled letters and letters of encouragement to their troops at war. They would cook comfort food to send to their men; because these foods had to travel long distances they often became rotten and stale. That was the time when the recipe of the ANZAC biscuit was introduced to war.
Women were used by government propagandas as a way to encourage men to enlist. Women were an image of fragility, and men felt the need to fill that masculine role and protect their women. Their traditional image played a large role in the enlistment of troops in the war. Thus, their generalised image by society was created and difficult to alter.
Their role in the household was crucial, because the main labourer was away; women were now the source of food and shelter for their children. The government’s way of obtaining money in order to fund the war; women had to strive in order to continue maintaining their simple daily lifestyle.

Women and World War One

Women were beginning to become more educated in fields that only men before specialized in. The positions of jobs like mechanics, medical professions and factory workers became available to women. Even this is true; women were paid half the salary as men.
In many countries, women participated in the war but weren’t involved in combat but only jobs like communication, support and supply. Areas that were restricted to women before are now opened and available to them. World War one had a major impact on how the world viewed women. Not only did women gained political freedom and new education, it also enabled them to experience new things, they would have experienced if world war one didn’t came to be.

Powers Of The Genders

I was devastated, full of emotion and justice: Justice for women all around Australia and the world. In this time of need and desperation, wouldn’t it be expected that the government try and enrol as many men as they can?

Men are supposedly equal to women. When god created women from the side of a man, she is neither his inferior nor his slave. She is neither his superior nor his master. She was his equal and his partner. So why is it that women aren’t as privileged as men? In this war, the power of women is limited. The power of one person is determined by their gender.

Feeling powerless and useless, I stood and watched my father and brothers leave to fight and die in a distant land and my country crumbling at the hands of war. At that moment, when the last ships, heading to the front line, boarded, I decide to do what I can for my country. At that time the women of the Australian Red Cross Organization was in town. I headed to the Town Hall to enrol to join their mission. After signing up, i gathered my clothes and belongings, said a short goodbye to the family and head with my follow sisters to the front line.

The Role and Place of Women During World War One

Where women were involved in war related activities such as being cooking, stretchers bearers, motor car drivers, interpreters, and munitions workers however; they were not permitted to work on the field because of their gender.

During the war many organisations were established to support the troops and diggers. The organisation include ‘The Country Women’s Association’, ‘The Voluntary Aid Detachment’, ‘Australian Red Cross’, ‘The Australian Women’s National League’,

But the average women usually stay at home and look after the family, sew, made comfort clothing and baked ANZAC cookies. Because the deliveries usually travelled a long way, they had to make sure what they sent would last the distance. This is when the recipe of the oatmeal cookies were introduced; commonly known as ‘ANZAC cookies’.

Women’s role with the war was very much restricted, their participation was frowned upon. Women’s limited roles were commonly due to their gender and were forced to stay at home and complete domestic duties. Men were a symbol of power in the war and thought to be more resistant and durable in battle. Despite this, many women still strived to do whatever they can for their country’s victory.

At that time, women were expected to stay at home and look after the household.

Australians during WW1

The Trigger Event:

The assassination of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie was the trigger event of World War One. Gavrillo Princip, of the Serbian secret society terrorist group: the Black Hand (which was supported by secret police and military) murdered Franz Ferdinand and his wife while they were in Bosnian city of Sarajevo.

Austria-Hungary thought Serbia issued a challenge and declared war. The Austro-Hungarian government was furious at the assassination and was determined to punish Serbia
Picture of Gavrillo Princip on the right >

Why did Australia get involved?

Australia is under British control; thus, the involvement of Australian troops were necessary. Australian troops were normally put on the front line because the British saw their own troops as more valuable. Although Australia was now a commonwealth, it's "mother country" was still Great Britain thus; it's participation in the war was only expected.
What was Australia's response to war?
Australia's response to war was a rush to enlist in the war. Many enlisted for the war because of patriosm and also war swept aside differences between a civillians and unified society from a common purpose. The Austrlian's together with New Zealand, thought they had a point to prove to the British that they were dedicated young men. They were all eager to prove the world their loyalty to Britain.

Reference: Australian History, Ersie Burke and Sarah Mirams. p. 191-199