Hey guys, i know we don't need to know this but it was from my blitz project, just for some extra info in the test.

Women & WW2 Notes

Work:

· Male conscription was made official in October 1939 - this caused a severe employment decrease

· Women needed to work to fill the gap in the work force.

· 18 – 60 year olds were conscripted into the war effort: nursing, factories, transport or the Land Army.

· Women apart of the WVS (Women’s Voluntary Service) were able to take part in the ARP (Air Raid Precautions)

· Women were conscripted into the ammunition industry - they assembled weapons, built ships, trucks and aircraft.

· They provided logistical support to the civil service.

· At the same time women were also raising their families

· Parents were offered flexible working hours, free nurseries and leisure time in the mornings to attend to domestic requirements.

· The ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary) involved 164 female pilots to transport and repair planes in numerous war zones.

· The ATA delivered 308,567 aircraft

Liberation & Camaraderie:

· In 1928 the Women of Britain won voting rights

· The Blitz was the first major ‘breakthrough’ for women as they could become employed without being unaccepted in society.

· This gave the Blitz Women a sense of freedom and power

· During the war the controversy between the obligations of men and women relaxed, as women were needed to work.

· A great sense of camaraderie was brought to women as many females from different cultures and backgrounds worked together.

· A new form of respect developed as everyone was treated equally in the workforce

Social Life:

· The average woman would visit the cinema two to three times per week to escape the disturbances they faced during the war.

· Cinemas and dances were often a way to distract themselves from the horrors they experienced or heard about.

· Rationing of clothes was introduced in the summer of 1941 - women to wear trousers and more masculine clothes.

· ‘Make Do And Mend’, and ‘Sew And Save’ were common methods to make the most of their clothing rations.

· There were groups were women would go to learn these methods along with others to save money; e.g. parachute silk was often recycled for fancier clothing.

Conclusion: :)

· The Blitz was a crucial point in British history for women as it prompted the first revolt against unemployment in the female community.

· After the war, men were returning and needed their jobs back so women felt it was their place to return to domesticity and look after the children and homes.

· Though this short but highly significant period of time stimulated the next rebellion in the 60s as women had shown that they were just as powerful as men during the Blitz and throughout WII.

	Created by Grace Pulling over 11 years ago

Master of Everything History Note on Women & WW2, created by Grace Pulling on 12/05/2013.