Ce que la première guerre mondiale a changé pour les femmes

How did WW1 most change life for women?

The last hundred years has seen a transformation in women's lives. How much of this change dates back* to the four years of World War One - and what was the biggest change in women's lives as a result of the conflict?

to date back = remonter à

WW1 historian, Prof. Margaret MacMillan
The war changed women’s lives, and in some ways for the better. They showed society that they were able to do men’s jobs and were intellectually more than capable of taking part in society. However, those gains could not be completely consolidated after the war was over; many women were forced from* their jobs once* the men returned and expected to go back into domestic life. Many women had earned* the right to vote, but such things as going to university or standing as MPs* were still overwhelmingly* the preserve of men*.

To force from = arracher à
Once = une fois (que)
To earn = gagner
MP = Member of Parliament (équivalent de député)
Overwhelmingly = extraordinairement, en très grande majorité
The preserve of men = la chasse gardée des hommes

War historian, Dr. Jonathan Boff
One of the biggest improvements* in the lives of women during the First World War was in the area of health*. Women lived longer and healthier* lives after the war and lost fewer* children in infancy*. During and after the war infant mortality was reduced by two thirds*. The explanations are complex, but better living standards and nutrition are a large part of the answer. Smaller households* and earnings* rising faster than food prices meant there was more food to go around. Housewives* shopped more carefully. And government policy*, such as rationing and restrictions on pubs, may also have helped.

An improvement = une amélioration
The area of health = le domaine de la santé
Healthy = en bonne santé
Few = peu de
In infancy = en bas-âge
Two-thirds = deux tiers
Household = maison
Earnings = le salaire
A housewife = une ménagère
Policy = politique

Suffragette expert, Elizabeth Crawford
At the end of World War One, women’s lives were revolutionised by the 1918 Representation of the People Act. While men were granted* the vote at 21, the suffragists* pragmatically settled for* a lesser* measure for women, knowing that, as voters, they could exercise direct influence on parliament.

To be granted = se voir accorder
A suffragist = partisan du droit de vote pour les femmes
To settle for = se contenter de
Lesser = moindre

WW1 historian, Dr. Krisztina Robert
At first glance* progress [after the war] seems limited. Nevertheless*, women's extensive war participation helped convince politicians and the public about their suitability* for citizenship*, leading to full enfranchisement* in 1928. Furthermore*, many women developed new skills*, self-confidence* and contacts in their war jobs and were able to capitalise on these gains after the war in terms of greater freedoms both at work and in personal relationships.

At first glance = à première vue
Nevertheless = néanmoins
Suitability = pertinence
Citizenship = citoyenneté
Enfranchisement = octroi du droit de vote
Furthermore = en outre, de plus
Skill = compétence
Self-confidence = confiance en soi

Tiré de : http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z9bf9j6#zs67sbk

What did World War One really do for women?

Presented by Kate Adie Writer & Broadcaster Presented by Kate Adie Writer & Broadcaster At the outbreak of World War One, life for Britain's women was mainly tied to a life of domesticity, their ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z9bf9j6