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World War 1 was a terrible tragedy, but one aspect that is often overlooked is the impact it had on children.  Children were affected both in the war zone and indirectly in other countries involved in the conflict. No mercy was shown to children in the war zone – they were killed along with their parents and were in many cases were also forced to fight. Many of these children never recovered from the emotional and physical trauma.

Children who didn’t live directly in the war zone were also greatly impacted. Child and infant mortality rates were high as a result of poverty, malnutrition and inadequate medical services. Families were torn apart as fathers, brothers and uncles were sent to war and often never came back. Children were forced to ‘grow up’ earlier and take over adult duties such as working, babysitting and housework.

Financial pressures made many adolescents leave school earlier in order to work and supplement the family’s income, while much of the time children did spend in school was spent learning biased information as countries tried to promote nationwide hatred of the ‘enemy’ and pride in their own country.

Video Analysis of 'The Home Front in World War One: Impact on Children'

We picked this video because it shows how the war affected the health of young children, particularly newborns. Pregnant women were often too poor to pay for doctors during childbirth and also couldn’t pay for medical care as their children grew. As a result of these problems better health care schemes were put in place but not until after hundreds of children had died. This video relates to the early years of children’s lives, especially in poor areas and how rationing and poverty during WW1 caused malnutrition in young children. Because fathers were often fighting in the war, families with young children were often forced into poverty and unable to feed their children properly because they were unable to work.

First Person Post

The Journal of Hubert Wellington, October 1916

As soon as I become of age, I am going to join the army. I will travel to far-off lands, fight the enemy and bring glory to my country.

I will be a hero just like Father.

He has been at the Western front for a few months now. In the beginning, Mother and I would count the days he'd been away from home. Each day mother would say how much harder things had become now that our sole bread-winner was gone.

Sometime after the third month, mother stopped counting. She went to work in a factory and started calling me the man of the house. Occasionally intimidates me - so much responsibility and I am only twelve! I know though, that I need to be strong and make Father proud.

Mother believes that each and every person should be making a contribution to the war effort. That is what the administration at school say too. They have special lessons where we read from government pamphlets about the Great War and the valour of our soldiers. My school also says that we children can make a 'direct impact on the financial state of the Australian government'. This means selling stamps and coupons. Hundreds of children are doing it, and already, I am told, we have gathered a considerable sum of money.

I know that I am doing all that I can - and that mother is too. I understand though, that it is not enough. 

That is why, when I grow up, I am going to go to war. I want to save my country and be a hero just as Father is.

An introduction to the plight of children during WWI




A group of refugee children in Greece during World War One.

 

The First World War affected the health and wellbeing of millions of children, in school, in the trenches and at home.

The war disrupted children’s educations and curriculums were changed to accommodate new programs that encouraged patriotism and nationalistic pride. Outside of school, children raised money for the soldiers with youth groups. Children had to leave school and start working earlier and often worked in factories producing arms and ammunition for the soldiers.

In the excitement of the war, numerous adolescent boys lied about their ages and joined the army, expecting adventure and friendship. In reality, many of these children came home injured and traumatised or died on the battlefield. Back home, the health of children steadily declined as the war continued and food had to be rationed. Children all over the world suffered malnutrition and in some areas around 50% of children died before their 1st birthday.

Fathers, brothers, uncles and cousins leaving their families to fight for their country changed the family dynamic. With their husbands in the army, mothers had to either remarry or start working and working more to provide food for the family. Children, especially daughters, often had to become adults and take over the running of the house: cooking, cleaning and babysitting their younger siblings. Young children grew up without parental role models and kids had to spend less time playing or with their family members. As thousand of fathers died in war, children were left with one or no parents and were brought up in orphanages or by a single mother. Those fathers who did come home were often mentally and physically scarred from the events of the war and some children even abused by their disturbed returning fathers.

Sources Used:

Youtube Video: The Home Front in World War One: Impact on Children by russeltarr
Websites: Children of the Great War: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7082625.stm
Effect of World War I on children in the United States: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_of_World_War_I_on_children_in_the_United_States
How did children contribute to WWI: http://www.enotes.com/history/q-and-a/how-did-children-contribute-wwi-124213

The Origins of World War I

Nations involved in WW1 (Orange is triple allianc and green is triple entente)

World War I was the result of a conflict between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. The Slavs wanted liberation from Austrian Rule, which led to hostility between the two nations. On 28 June 1914, the Archduke of Austria-Hungary, Franz Ferdinand, was shot by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian terrorist belonging to an organisation called the Black Hand. The assassination of the Archduke was viewed by Austria as a direct challenge to its position as a great empire. A month later, Austria-Hungary reacted to the assassination by declaring war on Serbia. Germany then offered Austria-Hungary a ‘blank cheque’, pledging their support in the coming conflict.

ALLIANCES

Germany had invaded France in 1871 and France, fearing another invasion, formed an alliance with Russia. A short time after, Britain joined the alliance and it became known as the Triple Entente. Germany was apprehensive at the prospect of being surrounded by enemies and so formed an alliance with Austria-Hungary and Italy, known as the Triple Alliance. The presence of these two powerful blocs created an atmosphere of tension in Europe. On 31 July 1914, Germany sent ultimatums to Russia and France, both of which were rejected and subsequently declared war on them.

MILITARISM

Germany and Britain had been involved in an arms race as they competed for the largest army. Military spending had increased dramatically and by 1914, 12 million men could be called into action in the event of war.

World War I lasted from 1914 to 1918 and its impacts were felt across the globe, culturally, politically and socially.  During the course of the war, 11 million people were killed.

Source: http://www.uiowa.edu/~c016003a/alliances.gif
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