The Great Migration was the name given to the mass exodus of people from Europe during World War I. An estimated 10 million people fled their homes in search of safety and shelter during these years of war and economic chaos.
There were two major waves of migration that occurred during this time period: The first wave began when Germany invaded Belgium in 1914 and continued until 1917 when Russia withdrew from the war following its revolution. The second wave occurred when Germany attacked France through Belgium in 1918.
The majority of refugees were women and children who had been left behind by their menfolk who were fighting in the war or had already been killed or injured. Women were often forced to rely on themselves for survival because they did not have access to money or property that they could use to buy food or pay rent on a new home. Children were especially vulnerable without their fathers, who provided them with protection against violence and starvation during wartime conditions.
The Great Migration also marked an increase in nationalism throughout Europe as citizens fought for their countries to win the war or lose it as quickly as possible so they could return home safely to their families.
