European Warfare

During European warfare in the time period between 1789 and 1918, social, political, and technological changes mostly stayed steady until about the eve of WWI. Socially, labor unions gained relevance as the war governments were preparing for battle. Social equality was being promoted because mean from all different classes had to fight in the war, and as men were leaving to become soldiers, women had to take their place at work. Also, because of the war, the governments were putting all of their resources and wealth towards the effort; this drastically changed the economic and social life of the country. Propaganda was heavily issued in order to get the citizens to agree with the war effort. Technological advances took their prime decades before WWI, with such startling innovations as the battleship.

Politically, the government essentially took over complete social and economic life in order to focus all they had on the war; the "hands off policy" was abandoned. The government became in complete control of all ideas because they heavily used propaganda and did not support freedom of thought; going against the war was going against the government. In addition, the government issued a planned economy, known as war socialism. Spending was cut to a minimum, and essentially everything was being rationed. There was an ultimate mobilization for total war.

The government was not as hands on involved with the social life of the country. Labor unions received greater power and cooperated with government on work rules, wages, and production. Essentially everyone was eager to help with the war effort, as even socialist leaders worked to produce weapons for war. Through the unions, the government imposed price and wage control. Women took on a very different role in society, as they were forced to take on traditionally male jobs while the males were away.

Unlike the political and social changes, the technological changes began far before the eve of WWI. IN 18th century warfare, there was real strategy, as soldiers did not want to necessarily seek out the enemy's main force. Soldiers used linear formations and wore bright uniforms to be recognized. The technological advancements during this time included, the needle gun, the machine gun, the heavy machine gun, and many ships in the navy, the tank, and the automatic rifle. All these advancements took place during the eighteenth century. When the 1900's came around, the only