Crash Course European History: World War I Home Front

Total War Concept

• Definition: Total war involves not just soldiers but the entire population's participation.
• Home Front: Term coined during WWI to denote civilian contribution to the war effort.

Civilian Contributions

• Factory Workers:
  • Production of munitions, weapons, ships, tanks, poisonous gas.
  • Factories converted from luxury goods to war supplies.
• Farmers:
  • Produced food, raised livestock.
• Government Role:
  • Rationing of food, allocation of raw materials, control of transportation and communication.
  • Censorship laws enacted to maintain unity.

Women's Role

• Initial unemployment due to factory closures.
• Rehired for war-related production as the war prolonged.
• Increased work hours and responsibilities, including child and elderly care.
• Government and factory owners sometimes provided canteens and daycare.

Gender Tensions

• Women took on jobs traditionally held by men, leading to societal tension.
• Accusations that women in the workforce contributed to sending men to war.

Economic and Social Strains

• Inflation:
  • Soaring prices affected civilians, leading to scarcity of food.
  • British naval blockade exacerbated shortages.
• Class Differences:
  • Some civilians got rich from the war (untaxed profits), which widened class gaps.
• Antisemitism: Economic hardships led to increased blame on Jewish communities.

Refugee Crisis

• Eastern Europe:
  • 'Scorched earth' tactics led to massive displacement, refugees fleeing to cities like Vienna.
  • Ethnic organizations provided welfare as governments failed to do so.
• Expanded War Zones:
  • Allies caused famine in Greater Syria to incite rebellion.
  • African villages turned wastelands.

Political and Social Upheaval

• Censorship and Unity:
  • Initial political truces to maintain focus on external threats.
  • Censorship laws to curb dissent.
• Post-War Instability:
  • Rise of paramilitary groups and ongoing conflicts post-armistice.
  • Influenza pandemic added to civilian hardships.

Treaty of Versailles and Aftermath

• Peace Conference in Paris (1919):
  • Exclusion of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottomans, and Russia.
  • Creation of smaller states from the Habsburg Empire.
• Treaty of Versailles:
  • Blamed Germany for the war, imposed reparations.
  • Reduction of German military capabilities.
  • Formation of the League of Nations (though weak without US involvement).

Long-Term Effects

• Continued Tensions:
  • Harsh peace terms led to dissatisfaction and future conflicts.
  • League of Nations failed to maintain peace effectively.
• Inter-war Period:
  • Set the stage for economic and political tensions leading to WWII.

Conclusion

• The lecture highlights how the conduct and conclusion of WWI had lasting impacts on the 20th century.
• War and peace strategies shape future conflicts and international relations.