Background Context
Has War changed since WW1 and WW2?
World War One, 8.5 million soldiers died. World War Two, over 60 million. In Iraq half a million soldiers died. 3, 392 soldiers killed in Afghanistan .
"Two Worlds, One War” sheds light on some of the key changes in the Army in the last 100 years and aims to show the effects of both the past and the present circumstances surrounding war.
World War One
Firstly before we can even look at the technological advantages of today’s society one must look at the effects of society in the time of World War One and Two. Before World War One (1914) the British society denied women the right to vote or any recognition - they simply had to cook, clean and look after the children whilst the father was at work earning money to keep the household fed and clothed. However, the first World War was a springboard for one of the biggest political changes in the world. It wasn’t until a year later after the Zeppelin raids in London in April 1915 that there was an enormous impact on living standards, both in terms of poverty and health which aided the nation's poorest citizens but also women gained the rights in society to work that had previously been denied, this then became “Everybody’s War”. As the raids progressed, the whole of Britain were made to feel involved in the conflict. Adverts were presented to women offering them work and women took any job they could get. By wearing a uniform either as a member of the forces or as an officer (male/female) was an obvious way of being noticed and thanked for your contribution.
After the introduction of conscription in March 1916, women were encouraged by government to take the male jobs as male employees had been released from their normal jobs to serve at the front. This was a staggering initiative for government to do at the time but the sense of desperation caused by the effects of the war were clear.
July 1914, 212,000 women worked in engineering and munitions and by 1918 nearly a million women worked but it might not have happened so soon if the war hadn't provided the catalyst for social change. Food rationing was introduced in January 1918, proceeding after the German submarine blockade 1917. Housewives who had not been able to get a job were then asked to ration their supplies of sugar and meat so that they too could feel a part of the war.
World War Two
1939 affected daily life far more than World War One had ever tried to. Over 500,000 women joined the uniformed services and millions worked in factories as they had done before - some unfortunately on both occasions, both men (1939) and women (1941) were eventually conscripted (a law to say they must join). Bombings were the biggest threat in World War Two unlike today where the main fear of death is that of an improvised explosive device (IED). In 1939 bombings totalled a staggering one-tenth of the expected death figure at 60, 595 British soldiers and civilians. Britain was ahead of the game when it came to rationing and Britain recognised their previous plans and almost carried them out in the same order as before however, much faster than last time. Rations were introduced in January 1940 whereas in World War One it took them 4 years to sort out rations. Rations consisted now of not just meat and sugar but of a weekly limit and rents to food, tobacco and clothing. Each family has to register at a shop where these items could be purchased and could not shop elsewhere.
Crime rates rose in Britain during the Blackout and looting grew. The goods were then later sold to the black market an illegal gang that sold stolen and illegal items, other injustices of the law flourished as well because of the strain on society. Britain had learnt from World War One and the nation re-activated the home front idea six months before the Second World War was declared.
Today- 2014
Today the British Army has much more technology than in the previous wars above. Guns nowadays hold more bullets, fire faster and require less reload time pressure. The types of clothing worn today in Afghanistan is lightweight, easy to carry on ones person compared to that of the leather jackets and heavy boots worn in World War One and Two. The amount of equipment needed to be carried is less than it was due to the use of technology. A lot more of the actual warfare is now inside the base stopping enemy threats/attacks through use of navigation, GPS signalling and British Intelligence Forces.
We are in an era of technological change and due to this a much more intelligent mind that can think faster thanks to the technology provided by America, China and other places all around the world. However, the death rates are still there, they are falling but as “WikiLeaks” has proven, the world really don't have the full picture of war as World War One and World War Two, civilians didn’t either - propaganda was and still is a huge part of war. The constant threats nowadays of a terrorist attack is so prominent in today's society, yet the biggest threat on the field is an improvised explosive device (IEDs) which kill the majority of the soldiers in Afghanistan in roadside bombings or through the use of an innocent Afghan civilian who is told he will be shot if he does not persuade the British Soldiers to come towards the IED. Times have changed, war is not a game, war is one man/woman's life against another. War hasn’t changed - the tactics have!
“Two Worlds, One War” has been influenced by all of the above research as we have used it to inform us on the contrasts and similarities between modern warfare in Afghanistan and warfare as seen in WW1 and 2. The fact that women are now allowed to work in the army and play an active role is an integral part of today's society and clearly demonstrates how attitudes have changed throughout time towards the role of women.
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