The Home Front in Odessa during the Great War (July1914 – February 1917): the Gender Aspect of the Problem
The Home Front in Odessa during the Great War (July1914 – February 1917): the Gender Aspect of the Problem

Summary/Abstract: The soviet historiography and, more recently, the Ukrainian one have showed little consideration for the situation and the role of the civilian population in the First World War. The “Great War” mobilized, due to its proportions, all categories of population, generating profound mutations within the society. There was a real «front behind the front» (the home front), where the women played an extremely important role, by replacing the male working force in factories and by getting massively involved in the sanitary activities. Moreover, some women joined the army, participating in battles as regular soldiers. All these aspects contributed to the significant growth of women’s importance within society. The present study analyses the status of the women in Odessa during the First World War, their involvement in the war economy, the support they gave to charitable activities and the difficulties the mothers had to experience in order to ensure the survival of their families while their husbands were mobilized.

• Details
• Contents