WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Five million women entered the workforce between 1940-1945. The gap in the labor force created by departing soldiers meant opportunities for women. In particular, World War II led many women to take jobs in defense plants and factories around the country.

Detailed explanation-2: -During WWII women worked in factories producing munitions, building ships, aeroplanes, in the auxiliary services as air-raid wardens, fire officers and evacuation officers, as drivers of fire engines, trains and trams, as conductors and as nurses.

Detailed explanation-3: -The National Service Act 1941 (no 2) made the conscription of women into the workplace legal. At first, only single women in their twenties were called up, but within two years almost 90%of single women and 80% of married women were employed in essential work for the war effort.

Detailed explanation-4: -When America entered the Great War, the number of women in the workforce increased. Their employment opportunities expanded beyond traditional women’s professions, such as teaching and domestic work, and women were now employed in clerical positions, sales, and garment and textile factories.

Detailed explanation-5: -Factories were converted to the production of military items such as tanks, rifles, ammunition, airplanes and ships. People on the “Home Front” were encouraged to conserve energy, to plant “Victory Gardens” and to buy war bonds.