Home front during World War I

The home front during World War I covers the everyday lives, work, and changes in countries that were involved in that conflict. While soldiers fought on battlefields, many important things happened back home to support the war effort. People had to change how they lived and worked to help their countries.

The war caused many people to suffer. Some people became very weak from not having enough food. Near the end of the war, a sickness called the Spanish flu pandemic also made many people ill.

Countries needed to use all of their resources to help the war. This meant building weapons, growing food, and finding new ways to move supplies. Women took on many jobs that men used to do, which helped change their roles in society. Some countries gave women the right to vote because of their important work during the war.

Financial costs

Further information: Economic history of World War I

The war cost a lot of money—about $80 billion in the money of 1913. This number only counts what countries spent during the war, not after.

Countries spent different amounts. Britain spent about $21.2 billion, France about $10.1 billion, Italy about $4.5 billion, the United States about $12.3 billion, and Russia about $7.7 billion. Some countries also borrowed money from others to help pay for the war. For example, the United States lent money to Britain, France, Italy, and Russia. Britain also lent money to other allies.

Britain

Main articles: History of the United Kingdom during World War I and British entry into World War I

When World War I began, people in Britain felt strong loyalty to their country. In Ireland, some people wanted independence after a failed rebellion in 1916. Northern Ireland stayed loyal to Britain.

Britain had a strong financial system and needed to change its economy to make weapons and supplies for the war. Factories worked hard, and many people made sacrifices to help.

In 1915, David Lloyd George became in charge of making weapons. He later became the leader of the country and helped organize the war effort. During the war, German airships dropped bombs on cities, but people stayed strong.

Because there were not enough skilled workers, factories let women and less skilled men help. This helped war industries grow quickly. David Lloyd George made an agreement with worker groups, and they supported the war effort.

The war brought many changes to British society. New jobs opened up for workers, and women gained more rights. Many people worked together to support those in need.

Scotland

Scotland played an important role in World War I. Many men from Scotland joined the war. By 1916, everyone had to join the army if called.

Scottish soldiers fought in many battles. Shipyards and factories in places like Glasgow were busy making weapons and ships for the war.

Politics

Female workers in a gas mask factory, Holloway, London, 1918

Women

Prime Minister David Lloyd George recognized how important women were to the war effort. Women took on many new jobs to help with the war. The war paused the militant movement for women’s voting rights, and women were given the right to vote in 1918, though only under certain conditions. Later, in 1928, women in Britain gained the same voting rights as men.

British Empire

The British Empire helped a lot during the war. It gave food, materials, naval bases, and many soldiers and workers to Britain.

Canada

Canada sent many soldiers to fight, especially at the Western Front. There were many losses, and the government had to require people to serve, which caused some arguments. Some people in Canada were not trusted because of where they came from, and many were sent to special camps.

Australia

Australia also sent many soldiers to fight. Most of them volunteered, but there was a lot of discussion about requiring service. The war changed Australia, with more government control over the economy and worries about people from other countries. The famous Gallipoli campaign became an important part of Australia’s history.

An Australian Kookaburra active service postcard

New Zealand

New Zealand strongly supported the war and sent many soldiers, including some who were required to serve. Like Australia, the Gallipoli campaign was very important to New Zealand’s memory of the war.

South Africa

South Africa had mixed feelings about the war. Many people supported it, but there were also disagreements, especially among different groups. Some people hoped the war would improve their situation, but this did not happen after the war.

India

India, which was controlled by Britain at the time, provided many soldiers and workers for the war. Many were sent to fight in different parts of the world. The war also brought changes to India, including the growth of groups working for independence.

Belgium

Main articles: Belgium in World War I and Rape of Belgium

When World War I began, German soldiers took over most of Belgium. The German army was very strict and punished people harshly. They destroyed buildings and made many people leave their homes. Some workers were taken to Germany to work in factories.

The Germans took valuable things from Belgium, like machines, leaving the country poor. After the worst actions, German officials took control and were strict but not usually violent. Many Belgians refused to help the Germans, making life quiet and slow during the war. With help from neutral countries, especially the United States, food and medical supplies were sent to help the people of Belgium.

Belgian Congo

Belgium's colony, Belgian Congo, was important for its resources. While rubber was still important, new resources like copper became more valuable. Copper mining grew a lot during the war, and other resources like diamonds and gold also increased. New transportation lines were built to move these resources to other countries.

France

Main articles: French entry into World War I and French Third Republic § First World War

Production of rocket warheads in the department of Seine-Maritime, 1914

Many French people wanted to fight to get back land taken by Germany after the Franco-Prussian War in 1871. One famous writer, Romain Rolland, did not support the war and moved to Switzerland. After a peaceful leader named Jean Jaurès was killed when the war began, many French people worked together.

By 1917, soldiers and people at home were tired from the long war. Some soldiers felt the battles were too hard and worried about their families.

The war hurt France’s factories and economy, especially in areas where Germany invaded. Help came from the United States, which sent food, money, and soldiers. These soldiers bought food and supplies, which helped the economy.

Female carpenters working at the Tarrant Hut Workshops, near Calais, 26 June 1918

The war caused big damage and cost a lot of money. The government owed more than before, and prices went up. Newspapers had trouble publishing because many young workers were away at war, and there was less paper and ink. The government watched newspapers closely.

In 1917, Georges Clemenceau became the leader of France. He worked to keep people strong for the rest of the war. He arrested a former leader, Joseph Caillaux, for suggesting that France should make peace instead of fighting. Clemenceau said France should keep fighting until the end.

Russia

Main articles: Russian entry into World War I, History of Russia (1892–1917), and Russian Revolution

In 1914, Russia found it hard to fight World War I. The country had small industries, little money, and farms that could barely feed themselves. The military did not do well, and leaders were not good, making many people unhappy. Germany blocked the seas, so Russia could not get supplies or sell goods. By 1915, food and fuel were scarce, prices rose, and people were upset.

In 1916, a man named Grigory Rasputin had too much influence over the Tsar until he was killed.

In early 1917, large protests began, and the army supported the people. The Tsar stepped down, and Alexander Kerensky took over. Later that year, Lenin and the Bolsheviks took control. In 1918, they made a treaty allowing Germany to control parts of Eastern Europe, and Russia had a long civil war.

Even with these problems, local groups helped by sharing food, building hospitals, and caring for people who had to leave their homes. They did this because they loved their country, needed practical help, and had different political ideas.

Italy

See also: History of Italy § First World War, and Italy in World War I

Italian women employed by the British Army unloading artillery ammunition at a railhead dump in northern Italy, 1918

Italy did not join Germany and Austria when World War I began. Italy stayed neutral at first because many people wanted peace. Others thought it was a chance to get land from Austria. Italy finally decided to fight with Britain and France if it could gain land.

The Italian army had trouble with leadership and did not have the best weapons. Battles often ended without a clear winner. Italy later declared war on Germany. Many Italian soldiers were hurt or lost their lives, and the country needed help from its allies to keep its economy going.

United States

Main articles: United States home front during World War I and American entry into World War I

Navy poster by Howard Chandler Christy

President Woodrow Wilson led the United States during World War I. At first, he tried to keep the country out of the war. But when Germany kept attacking American ships, the United States joined the war in April 1917. The country had many resources but needed time to get ready.

Many men and women volunteered or were called up to serve. By summer 1918, American soldiers arrived in France, helping the Allies win the war in November 1918. The government encouraged people to support the war and sold bonds to pay for it. Some people who spoke against the war were punished under new laws. Wilson also helped shape the peace agreement after the war.

Germany

Main articles: History of Germany during World War I and German entry into World War I

By 1915, Britain's navy stopped food from reaching Germany. This caused big problems for people there. There were not enough farmers because many had gone to fight, and trains could not carry food fast enough. Coal was also hard to find. During the winter of 1916–1917, called the "turnip winter," people had to eat turnips, which are usually food for animals, because there was not enough potatoes or meat. Thousands of soup kitchens opened to help feed hungry people. Even soldiers got smaller meals. Because of not enough food, many people became weak and sick.

As the war went on, people and soldiers felt less hopeful. But Germany tried to share what little food they had fairly. In late 1918, soldiers in the German Navy refused to follow orders, and protests spread across Germany. Leaders lost trust in the Kaiser, and he and other rulers left power. On November 9, 1918, a new government was announced, and soon after, the war ended with Germany’s defeat.

Austria-Hungary

Austria-Hungary was a big country with many farms. It helped the war effort by sending soldiers and food. Even though it didn’t have many factories, it had more cities than some other countries fighting in the war, like Russia, Serbia, and Romania.

As the war continued, it became harder to find enough food and fuel to keep warm. There were fewer pigs, and most meat went to feed the soldiers. Hungary, which grew a lot of food, had better supplies than other places.

Each year, people felt more worried. Money became worth less, so families lost their savings. The war used up much of the country’s wealth. Many soldiers were hurt or died, which made it harder to do jobs. Sometimes, leaders took things that were meant for ordinary people, leaving many hungry while the army had what they needed.

Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire was weak by 1914 and had lost much of its land. It ruled over many people, including those in modern-day Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, and the Arabian Peninsula.

A group called the Young Turks took control and got the country ready for war. They made new groups to get support and build a strong Turkish identity. When the war began, the leader asked Muslims in other countries to stand up against their rulers, but few did. Many Arabs turned against the Ottoman rulers and rebelled.

The Ottoman Empire had big problems during the war. Because it was blockaded and had poor transportation, it had trouble helping its people and soldiers. Almost all men had to join the military, which many did not like. Some could avoid service by paying a fee.

Balkans

Serbia

Serbia, a small country, was good at getting its people ready to fight during the war. It called up many men, but they were tired from earlier fights. Austria tried to invade twice in 1914 but failed both times. In 1915, Germany, Austria, and Bulgaria invaded Serbia. The Serbian army had to retreat quickly, and only a few soldiers escaped. Serbia was taken over, but life was not too hard because Austria paid for food.

France helped Serbia a lot. In 1918, French and Serbian forces moved up from Greece and freed Serbia, along with Montenegro and Vojvodina. The war caused many deaths in Serbia. After the war, Serbia joined with other groups to form a new kingdom.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria was a poor country that wanted to take control of a place called Macedonia. During World War I, Bulgaria joined the Central Powers in 1915, hoping to get Macedonia. It had a large army, but the war was hard on the country. By 1918, soldiers lacked proper gear and food, and there were rebellions. Bulgaria signed an agreement, giving up its gains and limiting its army. The Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine in 1919 took away Bulgaria's conquests and demanded large payments.

Greece

Greece wanted to stay out of World War I but had trouble doing so because of its location. There was a big disagreement between the king, who had ties to Germany, and the prime minister, who supported the Allies. The prime minister set up a small Greek government with Allied support. An Allied blockade forced the king to step down in 1917, and Greece joined the Allies. Greece became a base for many Allied soldiers. By the end of the war, Greece had some casualties, and the disagreement between different groups continued to affect its politics for many years.

Asia

China

Main article: History of the Republic of China

The leader Duan Qirui was very powerful in China. On 13 August 1917, he decided to fight against Germany and Austria-Hungary. People from China who were not enemies were kept safe, and their things were taken for the war. About 175,000 Chinese people chose to work in faraway places to help the countries fighting in the war. Sadly, some of these workers did not come back, including over 500 who were on ships that sank. China did not send any soldiers to fight in the war.

Japan

Main articles: Japanese entry into World War I and Japan during World War I

Japan's military took over places that belonged to Germany in the Pacific and East Asia. They did not change their whole way of doing things to support the war. Some leaders in Japan wanted to use this time to become more powerful in China. They asked for help from Sun Yat-sen, who was living in Japan at the time, but they did not get much help. The navy in Japan decided by itself to take over some islands in the Pacific that used to belong to Germany. This helped the navy get more money and power.

Because prices went up a lot, people had trouble buying food. This caused some small protests in 1918. The government made many people arrested and stopped newspapers from writing about it. In late 1918, many people got very sick from a bad illness. About 250,000 people in Japan got sick, but fewer people died there than in other countries because some people had already gotten a milder version of the illness before. Health workers told people to stay away from others and used special ways to help people get better.