Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Abbreviations of organisations
- Bibliographical abbreviations
- Introduction
- Part I Feminism and socialism 1876–1900
- Part II Origins of the socialist women's movement 1899–1914
- Part III Development and decline of the socialist women's movement 1914–79
- 7 The First World War and socialist women 1914–20
- 8 Reconstruction, decline, and rebirth 1921–79
- Conclusion
- Appendix 1 The Second International and the woman question 1889–1904
- Appendix 2 French socialist women in figures
- Appendix 3 Elisabeth Renaud and the Cambier affair
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
7 - The First World War and socialist women 1914–20
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 October 2011
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Abbreviations of organisations
- Bibliographical abbreviations
- Introduction
- Part I Feminism and socialism 1876–1900
- Part II Origins of the socialist women's movement 1899–1914
- Part III Development and decline of the socialist women's movement 1914–79
- 7 The First World War and socialist women 1914–20
- 8 Reconstruction, decline, and rebirth 1921–79
- Conclusion
- Appendix 1 The Second International and the woman question 1889–1904
- Appendix 2 French socialist women in figures
- Appendix 3 Elisabeth Renaud and the Cambier affair
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
On 28 June 1914, Serbian nationalists assassinated the Archduke Francis Ferdinand. But it was not until 23 July, when the Austro-Hungarian government published its ultimatum to Serbia, that there seemed to be danger of a major war. In response to the news of this ultimatum, Jaurès turned an election speech near Lyons into what was to be his last plea for peace on French soil: ‘We have at this moment against us, against peace, against human life, terrible odds, in the face of which the proletarians of Europe must make every effort at solidarity of which they are capable.’
Saumoneau was one of the first to make that effort. She had already called a meeting of the executive for 22 July, to discuss the measures to be taken in the event of a limited war between Austria and Serbia. The executive authorised an ‘extraordinary meeting’ of the group for the 24th. Faced with the news of the Austrian ultimatum, the GDFS planned a special meeting for 3 August, but events moved too fast for it. On 28 July, Austria declared war on Serbia. Upon learning of this, Saumoneau brought the executive together for an emergency meeting. That same day, 29 July, the leaders of international socialism met at Brussels in a desperate effort to organise a campaign against the war.
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- Information
- Sisters or Citizens?Women and Socialism in France since 1876, pp. 143 - 165Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 1982