Economic Effects
The women of Australia were greatly affected by the war when it comes to money. World War 1 was the first ever total war, meaning nations mobilised all available resources in order to destroy another nation's ability to engage in war. A total war affects countries economically, socially and politically. Economically, the foods and products are usually rationed and used to make materials that can assist the war effort. Also, the government spent the majority of their money helping the war, leaving only a small amount for wages. This means women had to work even harder than usually to earn enough money to provide for themselves and their family. As a result of this, many women, especially the working-class, often struggled to have enough money needed to uphold the needs of their family after the absence of their husbands.
War Pensions Act 1914
The War Pensions Act 1914, based on the British compensation system, provided financial compensation for men who were covered under the term ‘disabled’ as a result of active service outside Australian borders. Also, in the event of a serviceman’s death during foreign active service, compensation was paid to his widow, children and some other dependants.
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Financial support for women while their husbands were away
Before going off to war, men had been the primary source of income for most families. This often meant that the wives of these men were left at home to look after the children without the financial support of their husband. Whoever the husband nominated as their next of kin, most likely his wife, was eligible to receive the full or part daily pay of their wages while they were away on service. However, this was often not nearly enough to provide for a wife and children.
Apart from this, no other form of government welfare was available to the women while their husbands were away. This meant that many had to rely on other sources such as charities and donations to do basic things like clothe their children. This life was mainly for the working-class women of Australia. The upper and middle-class wives and/or mothers, whose husbands or sons were serving the nation over overseas, were not greatly affected by the lack of government financial support due to the immediate access to money and other assets. Despite this obvious difference within social statuses, struggling working-class women received the same amount of money from the Act as an upper-class women.
Apart from this, no other form of government welfare was available to the women while their husbands were away. This meant that many had to rely on other sources such as charities and donations to do basic things like clothe their children. This life was mainly for the working-class women of Australia. The upper and middle-class wives and/or mothers, whose husbands or sons were serving the nation over overseas, were not greatly affected by the lack of government financial support due to the immediate access to money and other assets. Despite this obvious difference within social statuses, struggling working-class women received the same amount of money from the Act as an upper-class women.
Women whose husbands return severely injured
Life may have been considered even worse for women whose husbands returned from war, but for various reasons were unable to work ever again. To compare, these men were entitled to £26 less per annum than a widow without a husband. These women were then also unable to work as they were forced to stay home and care for her children and disabled husband, meaning the family had to survive on the £52 per year that the ex-soldier brought home.
There were many women who, for various reasons, did not meet the requirement of the Act and received no compensation for their loss. This may have been because they were not financially dependent on their husbands at the time of their death or incapacity. These women lived the most challenging lives in the duration of World War 1.
There were many women who, for various reasons, did not meet the requirement of the Act and received no compensation for their loss. This may have been because they were not financially dependent on their husbands at the time of their death or incapacity. These women lived the most challenging lives in the duration of World War 1.