Progress of Women in the Paid Workforce of World War I (CHC2D1)

By R. Nellis

  • Great War Officially Begins

    Men leave to go to war
  • Period: to

    World War I

  • Canada Enters War

    Canada Enters War when Britain does

  • Women start working to fill places of men

    During the First World War that lasted from 1914 - 1918, millions of women were hired into job positions that were formerly filled by only men. As men left to go to war, it soon became apparent that the only way to keep things running was to hire women for the jobs - an idea almost unheard of before the outbreak of war

  • Women Work in Munitions Work

    When the need for weapons grew as the war went on, more and more women were employed in munitions factories. Munitions work was relatively well paid compared to former domestic service work, but the women’s salaries never matched the men they replaced.

  • World War II Officially Ends

    Great War Ends

  • Men Come Home from War

    Men come home to their families and back to the jobs they left. Women are usually kicked out to make way for men.