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How did women's lives change after men went to war?
When World War 1 started, Australia was only 13 years old. Due to the outbreak of the Great War, food supplies, luxuries and everyday necessities were being sacrificed by people all over the world. Women had to start doing jobs that men would have normally done because so many men left for the war. Even though there were many women in the workforce, other women wanted to help with the war effort by doing voluntary work, fundraising and assisting with recruiting (Geraldine Carrodus, 2012).
Australia lost about 60 000 men as a result of World War 1. Many of these men were the fittest and most skilled of the male population. There were 64.98% of Australian casualties; this is the highest percentage of any other country. By 1915, after the Gallipoli landing there was already more than 2000 deaths. The middle and upper classes were not affected by the war. Some even profited from the government war contracts (Geraldine Carrodus, 2012).
The effect of the war on Australian women.
Women mainly worked at home before the Great War. A small number of women were teachers, nurses and dress makers. After the war began, companies began hiring women to work in jobs that were typically counted as men jobs. As a result of working in these jobs women received lower wages than men would have normally received. Some of the male jobs women took up were store clerks and bank tellers. When the war ended the women were expected to go back to working at home, many did, but secretaries, typists and telephonists continued to be women’s work (Geraldine Carrodus, 2012).
The effect on Australia’s economy.
The government had to introduce income taxes in order to provide weapons, ammunition and supplies overseas. The need for raw materials in wartime made it more expensive to live in Australia. Work wages fell, however the cost of living rose. The use of Naval blockades and shipping for military purposes meant that there were fewer ships for transporting goods overseas. Wheat, dairy and meat farmers profited from supplying merchandises overseas. About 18.5% Australians didn’t made it home (Geraldine Carrodus, 2012).
By Naomi
Australia lost about 60 000 men as a result of World War 1. Many of these men were the fittest and most skilled of the male population. There were 64.98% of Australian casualties; this is the highest percentage of any other country. By 1915, after the Gallipoli landing there was already more than 2000 deaths. The middle and upper classes were not affected by the war. Some even profited from the government war contracts (Geraldine Carrodus, 2012).
The effect of the war on Australian women.
Women mainly worked at home before the Great War. A small number of women were teachers, nurses and dress makers. After the war began, companies began hiring women to work in jobs that were typically counted as men jobs. As a result of working in these jobs women received lower wages than men would have normally received. Some of the male jobs women took up were store clerks and bank tellers. When the war ended the women were expected to go back to working at home, many did, but secretaries, typists and telephonists continued to be women’s work (Geraldine Carrodus, 2012).
The effect on Australia’s economy.
The government had to introduce income taxes in order to provide weapons, ammunition and supplies overseas. The need for raw materials in wartime made it more expensive to live in Australia. Work wages fell, however the cost of living rose. The use of Naval blockades and shipping for military purposes meant that there were fewer ships for transporting goods overseas. Wheat, dairy and meat farmers profited from supplying merchandises overseas. About 18.5% Australians didn’t made it home (Geraldine Carrodus, 2012).
By Naomi