WWI: Not a Normal War

I. Christmas truce - 1914

A. along the Western front

B. mostly British & German soldiers

C. not repeated

II. Women “mobilized” for warA. created new roles

1. jobs on “home front” in civilian work

2. military support rolesa. nurses, secretaries,

transport drivers

Combat roles

* Russia – “Women’s Battalions” in 1917

* Ottoman Empire – women snipers

* Finland – voluntary militia in 1918

* England, Australia, Canada - nurses

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lotta_Sv%C3%A4rd_badge.svg

B. Legacy after war

1. most women lost jobs

2. helped gain social and political freedom

III. Total War

A. complete mobilization of people and resources

B. government increased its control over economy

1. organize men, supplies, manufacturing

a. free market capitalist system suspended

b. set up planned

economies

1. set prices & wages

2. rationed food

supplies

IV. Influenza (known as the Spanish Flu)

A. Flu epidemic around the world in 1918 – 1919

1. pandemic:

B. 22 million died – twice

number killed in WWI

Over 500,000,000 infected

Many died within 24 hours

– Russia = 450,000

– U.S. = 550,000

– India = 675,000

V. “Rouge” (Red) Zone

A. area in north east France

B. damaged environment made area uninhabitable

1. due to chemicals, decomposing bodies,

unexploded munitions