From the May 2023 IBDP History Paper 3 exam
Example written under exam conditions (click to enlarge)
The First World War, often referred to as 'The Great War', represents a critical period in human history. Spanning from 1914 to 1918, it left an indelible mark on the geopolitical landscape, society, and individuals, particularly in Europe. The civilian population, often regarded as the silent victims of warfare, were significantly impacted, witnessing drastic changes in their lives. This essay will scrutinise the effects of World War I on the civilians of two European countries, namely Britain and Germany. Despite the shared experience of wartime hardships, divergences in the experiences of civilians in these nations due to different political, social, and economic contexts will be analysed.
The British civilian population endured profound challenges during World War I. The societal fabric changed radically, as women stepped into traditionally male roles in the workplace due to the widespread conscription of men. Historian A. Marwick suggests that this led to a crucial transformation in gender roles, laying the groundwork for women's emancipation in the post-war years. He highlights the necessity of women's work in maintaining the industrial output essential for the war effort, which facilitated their enhanced societal status and the eventual attainment of voting rights in 1918. However, this perspective requires nuanced understanding. S. Grey, for instance, contests that while women indeed assumed new roles, their status largely reverted to pre-war norms after the conflict ended, with many forced out of their wartime jobs. Thus, the war's impact on gender roles, while significant, may not have been as transformative or enduring as some argue. Moreover, the British populace grappled with significant economic ramifications. The strain of financing the war led to higher taxes and rising prices, causing considerable civilian hardship. Additionally, historian M. Gilbert notes the psychological impact of direct German attacks, particularly the Zeppelin raids, which instilled a sense of vulnerability and fear, a novel experience for the British population who had previously been removed from the immediate sites of warfare.
In Germany, the experience of the civilian population during World War I was markedly different. According to historian R. Chickering, Germany experienced an increasingly severe shortage of food and basic supplies as the war dragged on, a situation he terms the "Turnip Winter" of 1916-1917. The British naval blockade compounded the issue, resulting in malnutrition and an estimated 763,000 civilian deaths. This starkly contrasts with the food situation in Britain, where, despite some rationing, mass starvation was successfully averted. Furthermore, the social implications in Germany were profound. The war precipitated political unrest and polarisation, leading to the collapse of the Imperial government and the establishment of the Weimar Republic in 1918. Historian E. Jones highlights this transition as a direct consequence of civilian disillusionment and discontent towards the end of the war. While the German civilian experience had similarities with Britain's—such as women entering the workforce—the broader societal impacts were distinct. Particularly, the dramatic shift from an autocratic system to a democratic one represented a seismic change for German civilians, setting the stage for further political turmoil in the 1920s and 1930s.
In conclusion, the First World War profoundly affected the civilian populations of both Britain and Germany, albeit in different ways. While British civilians experienced shifts in gender roles, economic hardships, and psychological stress due to direct attacks, the German populace suffered extreme deprivation and starvation, leading to significant civilian casualties and severe political upheaval. The analysis indicates that the war's impact was influenced not merely by the universality of conflict but by the unique historical, social, and political contexts of each country. It's important to remember that behind the strategic decisions and military manoeuvres that often dominate discussions of World War I lie the untold stories of civilians whose lives were irrevocably altered by the events between 1914 and 1918. Their experiences reflect the human cost of war, reminding us of its profound and enduring impact on society at large.
From the November 2019 Paper 3 HL History Exam
Compare and contrast the impact of the First World War on the civilian populations in two countries up to 1918.
The First World War, spanning from 1914 to 1918, stands as one of the most catastrophic conflicts in human history. Its profound impact on the world, particularly on the civilian populations, continues to be a subject of extensive study. In this essay, the impacts on civilian populations in two contrasting countries—Germany and the United Kingdom—will be examined.
The first segment of this analysis focuses on the effect of the First World War on German civilians. For Germany, the war was a struggle for survival, not only for its soldiers on the front lines but also for its civilian population at home. The British Royal Navy's blockade of German ports had devastating effects on the German economy and society. The blockade resulted in a dramatic shortage of food and essential goods, leading to what is known as the 'Turnip Winter' of 1916-1917. Families resorted to consuming turnips, a cattle fodder, as they were unable to afford or access other food sources. The scarcity of food and other basic commodities led to a sharp increase in prices, making living conditions even harder for the German civilians. Furthermore, it's estimated that approximately 763,000 German civilians died due to malnutrition and disease caused by the blockade by the end of the war in 1918. Additionally, the War caused significant societal changes. The mobilisation of millions of men to the front lines led to a huge demand for labour in the factories and fields. This saw a large influx of women entering the workforce, a shift from the traditional role of women in German society. Yet, this change was accompanied by societal unrest, as it became increasingly clear that the War was straining the very fabric of German society. This, coupled with the rising discontent due to the economic and social conditions, set the stage for the political upheavals that would follow.
Contrastingly, the experience of British civilians was different. The war brought significant hardships, but not to the extent experienced by their German counterparts. While Britain too saw mobilisation on a large scale, the country was better equipped to manage the strain on its civilian population. The British government introduced the Defence of the Realm Act (DORA) in 1914 which gave it wide-ranging powers to control resources, regulate the economy and ensure the smooth running of the country. This included measures like rationing to prevent food shortages, and price controls to counter inflation. Yet, the War was not without its challenges for Britain. A key point of hardship was the German U-boat campaign, which sought to disrupt British supply lines. This campaign did cause shortages and price rises, particularly in 1917, but the impact was not as severe or as long-lasting as the situation in Germany. Moreover, as in Germany, British women also entered the workforce in large numbers, leading to shifts in societal norms.
One of the most significant impacts of the War on British civilians was psychological. The introduction of total war meant that civilians were no longer shielded from the realities of conflict. The German Zeppelin raids, though not causing significant material damage, brought the war to the home front, causing fear and panic among the civilian population. Ferguson argues that the war acted as a catalyst for societal change in both countries. For Germany, he suggests the war and its hardships expedited the process towards a more radical societal transformation that would culminate in the Weimar Republic and eventually, the rise of Nazism. For Britain, Ferguson suggests the war and the subsequent changes it brought about served to strengthen the existing societal structure rather than undermining it.
On the other hand, Chickering views the war's impact from a different perspective. He emphasises the shared experiences of suffering and hardship that civilians underwent in both countries, arguing that the war blurred the lines between the home front and the battlefront, and between combatants and non-combatants. This blurring, Chickering argues, led to a 'totalisation' of the war experience, which had long-lasting effects on the civilian populations in both Germany and Britain.
In conclusion, the impact of the First World War on the civilian populations of Germany and Britain was profound and far-reaching, though differing in scale and nature due to the different war experiences and societal structures of the two countries. For Germany, the war resulted in severe economic hardship, societal change and political upheaval, while for Britain, the impacts were significant yet comparatively less destructive, leading to more subtle changes in society. Despite these differences, the shared experience of the War brought about lasting changes to both societies, fundamentally transforming the relationship between civilians and warfare. This analysis affirms the views of historians like Ferguson and Chickering, each from their unique perspectives, and underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of the War's complex and multifaceted impacts on civilian populations.
