2 Impact of WWII 1939-1945

Question 1

how did the role of government have to change during ww2?

Answer 1

it became more responsible for directing the economy to ensure troops were supplied
governments role in welfare increased significantly - evacuation and rationing

Question 2

evacuation and rationing: where did children go? how did it effect society?

Answer 2

children went to the countryside, it brought society together and rationing made everyone feel equal - collectivism

Question 3

evacuation: when was the first one?

Answer 3

1939, 1.5m children evacuated

Question 4

Sir John Anderson mistake over evacuation: how was this rectified?

Answer 4

home secretary assumed families/private chariteis would provide for the children, but this wasn’t sufficient, and children were transferred without spare clothes, bedding, or food

the government made sure that children were provided with essentials. Social workers were also made available to help children

Question 5

rationing: when were they introduced? what was initially rationed? what about after this? how did the government deal with it?

Answer 5

1940 first. food rations were introduced, such as bacon, butter and sugar.
1941: fat, meat, tea, jam and eggs.

points system introduced so people could buy buscuits, fruit, or fish each month.

People grew vegetables

alcohol and tobacco were in short supply

Question 6

clothes rationing

Answer 6

yearly allowance of 66 coupons per person (lady’s dress usually cost 11 coupons)

quality of prewar clothing was great, people just carried on wearing it

Question 7

how was clothes rationing problematic?

Answer 7

restrictions on coal, and fuel made washing difficult

Question 8

effects of rationing:

Answer 8

thriving black market
genuine feeling that rationing equalised society.
improved diet

Question 9

improved diet?

Answer 9

Food Policy Committee Report chaired by Clement Attlee authorised subsidising milk and heating fuel for mothers with small children

Question 10

beveridge report 5 evils

Answer 10

squalor
ignorance
want
disease
idleness

Question 11

what did it advocate for?

Answer 11

1. a new relationship between the state and the individual.
2. Beveridge wanted to provide welfare, but keep individualism
3. universal benefits rejecting the means test of the 1930s.
4. flat rate of contributions for welfare benefits irrespective of wages or circumstances

Question 12

reactions to the beveridge report

Answer 12

vision popular

used as propaganda for British troops to ‘fight for a better Britain’

ministry of information found the report to have support from all elements of society.

churchill spoke out against it

all parties adopted it to differing degrees.