Introduction

Introduction 1

“…The fifty years preceding the war, therefore, were a transitional period in the history of divorce 25 . In those European countries in which divorce was authorized rates increased significantly, and divorce became a major social issue.…”

“…According to Phillips 28 , there are four processes that can explain the weakening of marriages during and after wartime. First, the separation of the couples for months or years.…”

From Surviving the War Trenches to Storming the Gender Barricades?

“…But, when looking at the long run, the divorce rate increase of the interwar is finally lower than during the 1900-1913 period (hatched lines, Figure 6.3). The war may have had a significant impact on the married life of couples causing a wave of divorces after the war, but it cannot be said that the First World War played a role in accelerating the trend of increasing divorce in the first half of the 20 th century 45 , unlike in other countries 46 . It is however possible that a number of divorces did not occur because of the death of the husband or because it was morally or socially difficult to divorce after such a deadly conflict.…”