Source G is a table of statistics that was published in the 1980’s, titled ‘Women in Employment in Britain’. It shows the number of women who worked in industries such as the Metal and Chemical industry, Govt. Offices, and Food and Drink in July 1914, before the War, and then in June 1918, 4 years later at the end of the War. The table shows that there was a hugely dramatic increase in the number of women in employment following WWI. Women working in Govt. Offices went from a mere 2,00 to a huge 225,000, and women working in metal Industries went from 170,000 to a massive 594,000. This source is stating that women made a huge contribution to the war effort during WWI by creating the means for Britain to fight, helped run the country and make decisions, and lastly ‘fed’ the country. The different types of employment listed in the table seem to link back to the war, showing again, that women contributed greatly to the first World War, either directly or indirectly.
Despite the statistics and what the sources say, the information they contain seems to be very limited. Aside from the ‘high wages and freedom’ that employment brought to women, there were als0 the drawbacks. The factories in which women worked, especially ones producing ammunition and weapons, made a very dangerous and unpleasant atmosphere to work in. Explosive powders and very basic safety precautions formed many health risks. Women were often given the most dangerous jobs, but were still being paid less than men. They were also not promoted as often as fellow worked who were male, and were subject to many practical jokes. On top of that, the employment of women proved quite unpopular with many more people.
Strikes were held against women workers and campaigns ran to persuade women to give up their jobs. Men complained that so-called unskilled women were taking the place of skilled men, most of whom were away fighting in the war. By the time that conscription was introduces, more women were taking men’s jobs than ever before, and due to pressure from the campaigns, the government signed agreements stating that women wouldn’t keep their jobs once the war was over. This proved to be true, as when the war ended, most women were sacked from their jobs and were replaced with the returning men.
Overall sources F and G are only partially useful. They highlight the good side of women’s contribution the war, and show how women did contribute. They fail to show, however, that although women did replace men in employment, it seems like it was for a limited time. The statistics shows numbers right at the end of the war, so it would have been just before the men did return. When women did work, they were faced with prejudice, sexism and were sacked from their jobs when men did come back from fighting in the war. Despite this, the sources are still partially useful as they do provide us with information on what and how women did contribute in the war, despite opposition.
