Economy and war
The First World War placed a considerable economic burden on the warring nations. The Austrian government, which had made practically no provisions, reacted to the outbreak of war by promulgating numerous regulations and directives. Strategic industries were subject to martial law, work safety regulations were suspended, and economic decisions were guided by military priorities. But while strategic industries expanded, economic sectors devoted to civil production, such as consumer goods and clothing, suffered. International trade dried up and the resultant shortage of raw materials slowed down the war economy. Moreover, the large number of enlisted soldiers caused permanent problems. How did economic militarisation affect life and working conditions? How was the shortage of goods dealt with? And who profited from the new economic order?
