history a level help!!!

i’m currently studying world war 1 and i’m struggling to understand what the term ‘social impacts’ or just what the term ‘social’ means, i’m confident with the terms ‘economic’ and ‘political’, help anyone?

Reply 1

MeFamile

Hi Aliyah,

No worries—understanding these terms can be a bit tricky at first, but you’re definitely on the right track!
When we talk about the term ‘social impacts’, we’re referring to how an event or situation affects the lives, behaviours, and relationships of people in a society. It’s less about money (economic) or power/government (political) and more about the everyday lives and experiences of individuals and communities.

For example, during World War I, some key social impacts were:

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Changing roles for women: Many women took on jobs traditionally held by men who were fighting in the war, which started shifting perceptions of gender roles.

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Loss and trauma: Families and communities were deeply affected by the deaths and injuries of soldiers, creating lasting emotional and cultural scars.

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Class and societal shifts: The war blurred class boundaries in some cases, as soldiers from different backgrounds fought side by side, and economic hardship affected people across the board.

So, when thinking about ‘social’, ask yourself: How did this event change how people lived, worked, interacted, or viewed each other? You’ve got economic and political impacts nailed, and now you can see how the social side completes the picture.

Hope that clears it up! Let me know if you want more examples or help with anything else! 😊