The Second Line of Defense: American Women and World War I

In 1914, World War I was declared. Four years later, the Allies emerged victorious, and the economic and political landscape of the world changed forever. A major force that contributed to the success of wartime efforts and rapid social change in America was the advent of female laborers. Dumenil tells the story of the "new" women who arose during the Great War, both exploring the contributions of women working at home and overseas. Through her analysis, she defines the American woman's contribution to the success of that war, illustrating the effects on women's lives and roles in America. The author focuses on the diversity of women workers and analyzes the parts played by women of various racial backgrounds and economic status. The epilog expands these analyses, summarizing the social unrest caused by the undefined position of women postwar while also investigating the misconception that the war drastically increased social equality for American women.