History of First World War - Essay Example

The World War of 1914 is the cause of major changes throughout the world and is often referred to as the First Total War due to its nature of involving almost all the nations around the globe in an orgy of hatred, bloodshed, and a battle for survival. It did not only impact the soldiers at the battlefront, but also had profound effects on the citizens at home, and hence it managed to involve the entire society in devastating warfare or other related activities (Mayson, 2009).

The soldiers in WW1 were ensnared in an environment entirely cut off from their daily lives, an alien atmosphere that was a self-contained nightmare for all, obliged to adhere to duties, and following of orders that certainly led to death, yet the traditional notions of patriotism, duty, honor and submission to authority instigated them to proceed with due endurance. In the trenches where death was illogical and uninvited, the soldiers were aloof from the real world and clutched in the dull insanity where everything was lost in the sheer vagueness of life, and some sunk deep into depression due to the prevailing conditions- inhumane, unhygienic and hopeless. Soldiers felt isolated and believed that those who were not at the waterfront do not understand its implications on the human mind, and at times believe that the civilians do not care hence the soldiers became bitter (Ellis, 1989, 192 – 193).

The trenches were full of smell, of rotten bodies and men who haven’t washed for a long time, there were no facilities, just the odor of poison gas, rotting sandbags, stale mud, and meat, cigarettes, and food, in addition, the rats devoured on the grotesquely disfigured bodies of dead soldiers. Diseases spread, such as Trench fever, caused by lice which were a constant problem in the trenches. Furthermore, the men suffered from shell shock, simply known as mental breakdown due to constant bombardment (HubPages, 2010).

LIFE OF CIVILIANS The First Great War is usually regarded as a war between the soldiers at the war front, but since it harnessed the resources of every nation, regardless of their ownership, it was vastly considered a war that affected all. Civilians contributed by working in factories that produced ammunition, uniforms, guns, tanks, and other war-related substances. Almost all families had members fighting at war fronts, thus leading to mental involvement and fear of losing the member. The journalists and clergymen had the role of opinion formers hence they were affected by the stories of the aggrieved.

Furthermore, when raids occurred and food rationing was initiated, everyone contributed and thus became involved in the war somehow (Craddick-Adams Peter, 2005). The civilians were most profoundly affected by the industrialization of wars, where all concentration was directed towards supporting war the frontline demands, the market mechanism collapsed and the economy was under strict governmental control. The efficiency of food production was increased to prevent shortages, in addition, food consumption was reduced overall and restaurants limited their serving sizes.

Furthermore, the absence of men and the labor demand led to female employment, which empowered women and gave them independence like never before. This was to affect society greatly in the post-war era as it accelerated the equality between the genders. During the war, due to the drastic loss of lives, the army ran out of an adequate number of soldiers, as a result enlisting opened for able-bodied men and the Government’s encouraged them to join the army and support their respective nations, hence all became involved in war efforts. Life was miserable, stagnant, and strictly adhered to State orders (History Web, 2010). 
Apart from these obvious impacts, the civilians are aloof from the effects of the hardcore frontline trench conditions, which are suffered by the Soldiers who therefore feel isolated from their civilian counterparts. However, the WW1 nevertheless involved everyone in some manner and thus had its implications on the lives of both, the soldiers who fought at the frontlines and the civilians who supported their nation’s army.