World War was officially declared on June 28th 1914, after the assignation of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand (Royal Prince of Hungary and of Bohemia) and his wife Sophie, (Duchess of Hohenberg). This was the final straw in what had been years of building tension between the major European powers. (For more information on the causes of World War One visit http://www.historyonthenet.com/WW1/causes.htm) It wasn't long until Australia was brought into the conflict on the side of Britain. The outbreak of war was greeted enthusiastically by many Australians, and an overwhelming number of men responded by enlisting into the Army, Air force and Navy. With so many men being sent off to war, women had to step in and fill the gaps they left behind. Women began breaking all kinds of barriers in the work force, taking on many roles that had been previously unavailable to them. Once the war was over on November 11th 1918, there was a huge shift in attitude towards women’s ability throughout Australian society.
This site will look at how women’s roles changed before, during and after World War One.
A map of the world before World War One:
This site will look at how women’s roles changed before, during and after World War One.
A map of the world before World War One:
Map of Europe 1914 - Photograph courtesy of <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/launch_ani_western_front.shtml> accessed 11 Nov, 2013.