For women getting their voting rights, and now trying to have a role in society by trying to work with a minimum wage that was low. When World War 1 came it gave women the chance to go to work outside of the home. Secondly, most women went to the clerical duties “Many women went to work for the first time, while others found it easier to advance in the jobs they had” (Lunardini, page 123). Also, for women in the urban areas and rural areas had to fulfill the men’s jobs because they had to go to war. Women that became in the work force during the war their wages were really war. The laws for minimum wage was an effort to try to get eliminated so there would not be exploitation of the workers that were not protected. For the labor unions typically
New jobs were also made to support the war efforts. One of these jobs were munitions work where they produce bullets, gas masks, shells and supply them to the people fighting in the war. This would be another huge victory for women since they got the right to vote through the Wartime Elections Act before WWI. But a negative that came out of the jobs was the wage gap that would still actually be carried on to the present. Through strikes, and even a committee created by the War Cabinet to examine women’s wages, a report was produced which endorsed the statement of “equal pay for equal work”, but since they already had a low expectation for women, they thought that it meant “lesser strength and more fragile, which would affect the result of their effort. All of these things would be eventually reversed after the men returned from war but it set a large movement in motion that would continue on to this day. Thanks to WWI, Canada set up a huge stepping stone for women's rights. Though it came with its negative, the wage gap, it was predictable considering the predicament that women were in. Without women, Canada’s contributions to the war effort would be very few, not only that contributions to the war effort in itself would be very few. It
Section 1: Identification and Evaluation of sources This internal assessment will explore the question: How well did World War II establish a foundation for Women to be accepted into the American society as workers? The role of women during the latter part of the war and after the war will be investigated, specifically 1936 through 1950. The war was their breakthrough into society but the way they were treated after the war will be investigated more deeply.
Women were the primary victims of being mistreated in the factory work life right next to immigrants and of course people of another color. These women worked long and hard hours, often from the sun up to late at night after the sun went down just to have the money to do buy the basic necessities that their family may need. Women’s incomes were pretty low at the time, which is why they had to work for such a long period of the day. They also had very high expectations as they had to produce with no error for hours in during the day, they were expected to make 3000 stitches per minute or else they would be docked. Working environments were very cramped and the machines were not exactly user-friendly, so it is easy to see why they would want to begin progressive movements. Women began to group up after hours to talk about the complexities that go on around the workplace and sought out a solution to make the owners realize that their opinions do matter. After long talks amongst each other, the women decided to join together in a strike against the unfair treatment and conditions that the Triangle Shirtwaist factory provided them with. They all sat out of the workforce and were directly responsible for the
The country had no choice but to have the women in the factories. They needed their help and were not going to complain about it. They knew with extra hands that, that was going to be an easier way to win the war. The government called on to the women and without hesitation, they went. They answered to whatever work that needed to be done. They worked a 52 hour week at 68 cents per hour. They were all prepared and knew that their “summer jobs” would end soon. There work dominated their nights and days. Most of their work was outdoors as well. Even though some women would much rather be at home helping there families other ways they still managed to get their other job complete as well.
They offered support overseas and provide a large infusion of women into to workforce. Both types of women made sacrifices that allowed the country to emerge as a major economic power after the war. The war also gave women the experience, confidence, and support need to progress women’s suffrage. Resulting in progression toward female voting rights, wage equality, and better working conditions. The war did not end the fight for women’s equality after years of stagnation in the movement.
However, after the Military Service Act was passed and men were beginning to leave to fight overseas, there was a shortage of men for the workplace. This helped women to integrate into the workforce and transform social norms of traditional women responibilites. Women played a key role in the war efforts by working as farmers, bankers, bus drivers, police officer and working in munitions factories. In fact, 30000 worked in a munitions factory, 1000 for the royal air force and 6000 in the civil services. They also united to start a suffragist movement to fight for their rights to vote, fair wages and gender equality. Eventually, women almost had all rights as men would and they were allowed to do as they wish without anyone's
When women started working in factories, they faced hardships in working conditions. There were dangerous fumes and explosive dangers. There was always the risk of accidental explosions. It was even harder for mothers because there were not any child care policies offered by many companies. Women soon began making unions, such as the National Women’s Trade Union League, where women met and found ways to help raise women wage and have better work
The war gave women, who weren't yet allowed to vote, the chance to show that they were equal to men. It forced many men to change the way they regarded women. More people realized that women could make a contribution in the workplace as well as at home. The first World War could be said to have begun the movement for equal opportunities for men and women.
Before the war, women had very little rights. A married woman could not control property that was hers before marriage, keep control of her wages, acquire property while married, she could not transfer or sell property, she couldn’t even bring a lawsuit. A husband could do anything he wished to with a woman’s material. He could sell them, break them, and his wife couldn 't sell or give away the exact same things. It was immensely unfair to women. But, they would not stay quiet for long. The sexism had to stop!
They gave children the opportunity to get an education, social welfare, and they got what they wanted for minimum wage and maximum hours for women. Women formed the Women's Trade Union League which allowed them to receive minimum wage and eight-hour days. Peace activist was another thing women added to their list. Men dominated majority of peace organizations, but women started to enter them. When women entered them, the focus begin to change it wasn’t just all about “law” anymore.
After getting an education as well as knowing there worth in society women knew there were more than just a wife and mother. During WWII women demonstrated their power to think in a world without men as they were off fighting the war. Women began to understand that they had more to offer the world other than housekeeping and raising children. In addition, many women wanted to continue working after the war as they had held jobs with responsibilities as well as earning wages. Furthermore, women were the ones making financial decisions as well as working in positions with higher responsibilities. Many women as well as minorities were simply casted a side to make room for the returning solders. This created a silent discontent among women
The controversy over what to establish as the official minimum wage in the United States has been debated and argued over for many years. Due to inflation, the gradual increase of pricings due to a saturation of printed currency, the minimum wage for workers has to be increased in order to compensate for the ever-fluctuating value of the U.S. Dollar. Many today are rising to the conclusion that a minimum wage of fifteen dollars an hour is necessary. This motion is designed to keep those who have minimum wage income out of poverty and to increase the amount of money in the consumer’s pocket overall. However, this particular increase in minimum wage will lead to the inevitable downfall of the United States’ economy and be a catastrophe for the working class.
It gave them a taste of what was out in the world and got them to think of themselves as workers instead of just homebodies. At first they were hesitant because it was a new domain, but once they grew accustomed to this new role they weren’t about to evacuate and instead embraced their new power with Rosie the Riveter, the new face of activism. Rosie stood for everything these women fought for and was a symbol of hope and persistence. Her famous words echoed through the streets of the United States, “We Can Do It!” Some of the more daring women wanted to help even more, so they enlisted to go fight alongside the men of their country. These brave women were now soldiers and proved that they could enter dangerous situations and do the job right. For the women of this time there was no going back to the docile housewife of the past. From this point on they were looking for a future outside of the house. Then, in 1945 the war drew to a close and men who had been away began to file home. They were anticipating returning to their old jobs that women had occupied when they were away, however women were resisting to leave.
In the 1920s women became more independent and started to slowly gain rights (“Women of the Century”). Women’s suffrage was finally granted in 1920, which was a huge step towards equality for men and women. For the first time, women were able to vote on issues that mattered to them, which was extremely important in order to gain more rights. In 1923, the Equal Rights Amendment was first introduced, although it would not be passed in Congress until almost fifty years later. Despite these steps of progress, the Great Depression caused some setbacks. Due to the large numbers of unemployment, women were discouraged from “taking jobs” away from men (“Women of the Century). Some states even went so far as to pass laws prohibiting the hiring of women. World War II began quickly after this which greatly increased the number of women in the work force.
Since the beginning of the 1800's, women had been fighting for the rights that they wanted. Women should be able to vote, control their own property and income, and they should have access to higher education and professional jobs. Women also had many roles in society. Women had very important parts in jobs as they took up more responsibilities. Girls, young ladies, and women of all ages were working harder to bring home income. Most women thought the pay and the conditions were unfair. These arguments grew as women fought more and more for social equality.