Society and how it changed after the Great Wall, paying especial attention to the civilians.

Essay by KeirHigh School, 10th grade October 2005

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The number of soldiers that died during the course of World War 1 was staggering. Although these numbers are astounding in themselves, the numbers of civilians affected by the events of World War 1 are even more saddening. From 1904-1918, civilians in Europe were affected in many ways, three different ways being the bombing and direct attack of civilians, mass famine and lack of food, and women of the countries making progress as opposed to the men. Each of these factors affected civilians greatly, some more than others.

The most important way that civilians were affected during World War 1 was that civilians became direct targets for the enemy. Because of the development of weapons during this time, new arms such as bombs and grenades thrown from planes were very effective at destroying cities, as opposed to before when armies would meet in a specified place and the damage was contained in one area.

Leaders of warring nations condoned targeting civilians, and this direct attack on civilians severely uprooted their lives. Homes and industries were completely decimated, and civilians were forced to flee into shelters if they escaped being killed in the explosions or invasions. This obviously is the most direct way that civilians were affected during World War 1, and it was the most pressing problem for the civilian population at the time.

Famine and lack of food during the war was also a huge issue for the civilians of countries besieged by war. For a country like Germany, who was under diplomatic encirclement geographically as well, it was extremely difficult for them to obtain food for their civilians, as they were hemmed in by their enemies on all sides. Trading with other nations was at an all-time low during war. This led to food shortages and a...