The Home Front

With the outbreak of war in 1914, the people of Europe were excited and enthusiastic about participation in it. Flag waving crowds singing patriotic songs held rallies and parades. Millions of men quickly raced off to join the army in their respective countries. Many believed the war to be a great adventure not to be missed.

Unfortunately, the realties of the Great War were to be quite different. The Great War brought a new age of warfare to human history. The war would be fought as much on the home front as it would on the battlefield. The production of military equipment, ammunition and food became the war behind the war.

All of these battlefield needs had to be met while keeping the civilian population fed and clothed as well. Tremendous sacrifices were made by the people of all warring nations to keep the soldiers in the field ready to fight. All aspects of a nation's population, industry and culture were mobilized to fight. The age of total war (the entire military and civilian population dedicated to the war effort) had arrived.