Once World war first broke out there was an unemployment crisis for both men and women.

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Once World war first broke out there was an unemployment crisis for both men and women. This was due to many reasons. Trade with Germany stopped, factories were shut down in the panic of war, and many upper-class and middle-class women dismissed their servants. Men who were unemployed could join the army; however the women were left unemployed. By the end of September 1914, approximately 44% of women were unemployed, and without money. Many funds were set up to help the unemployed. The National Relief Fund set up by the Prince of Wales, helped people who were out of work. Men and women both received ten shillings a week if they lived in London and 8 shillings otherwise. Some funds were only aimed at middle-class women such as the Women’s Golfers Fund.

   However, by the summer of 1915 there was a different situation. Employment was available and in some cases there was a shortage of workers. This was because necessary supplies had to be provided to the men in war, and as time went by more men also joined the war. Companies started to recruit women, and soon women were in office and transport work. However, male trade unionists were unenthusiastic to see women take over their jobs, especially in industry. Men were afraid to leave their positions at work to join the war because they were afraid that at their return they would not be given the job back, because it was taken over by a woman. If they were given their job back they were afraid that they would be paid less salary, as women were generally paid less than men. To avoid this happening, male trade unions made agreements with the government, or the employers, to protect their jobs and wages. They were allowed their jobs back when they returned form war.

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   Before the war women had few rights and were mainly the property of their husband or father. Most of them were not allowed to work, or if they did they worked in very low paid jobs. However during the war, women were seen working in factories. Women worked long hours and many had dangerous jobs, such as making ammunitions. Their efforts disproved the old idea that women were inferior to men. Women worked in all sorts of areas. Some women worked in nursing, and armies. These were mainly upper class women, who had higher levels of education than lower ...

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