Civil Society at War
Going to war also meant mobilising the civilian population. People on both sides of the conflict extolled military virtues and glorified the contribution of the ordinary soldier. Everything contributed to creating a spirit of sacrifice and a desire to defend the homeland: from children's "war games" and mimicry, to the tributes paid to fallen and mutilated soldiers. In addition, the First World War led to the creation of a war industry in which the female population played a decisive role. With the men away, women became both heads of households and workers, turning the social and cultural conventions of the day upside down. It was at once a moral and a productive undertaking, and a driving force behind the soldiers at the front.
