3.2 - World Wars Flashcards
What was Britain fighting for in WW1? (3)
To challenge an increasingly powerful Germany
To support its allies
The propaganda version
What type of war was WW1? (2)
Global
Total
Explain civilians in the firing line in WW1
Attack from the air
Shortages
Attack from the sea
Spies
How did the British respond to WW1?
1914 – Most enthusiastic and expected a quick war.
Battle of the Somme in 1916 was a turning point. People were angry and criticized the government and military.
What was Britain fighting for in WW2?
Ideology
Defence
What type of war was WW2?
Truly global
Truly Total
Explain civilians in the firing lines in WW2
Attack from the air
Shortages
Spies
How did people respond to WW2?
Population generally supported war however sometimes protests about the efficiency of government in dealing with the hardships.
There was much patriotism, an enemy that the majority of the population believed needed to be resisted and a bargain between parliament and the people that their loyalty would be rewarded with benefits after the war.
What was the Blitz spirit?
Described the way the people helped each other, put on a brave face and supported the war effort.
Government control
What was recruitment like in WW1?
Initially used persuasion which was very successful as half a million signed up in the 1st month.
As the war dragged on,
government introduced conscription for men aged 18-41. – Massive increase in government control.
Government control
What was recruitment like in WW2?
1938 - Conscription
By 1943, over 400,000 women were in the auxiliary branches of the armed forces and were involved in a huge range of military activities.
Government control
What was news like in WW1?
Strictly censored.
However local newspapers were not as closely controlled and provided uncensored info to the public.
Government control
What was news like in WW2?
Censored.
Daily Worker was shut down for suggesting that industry bosses were benefiting from war.
Radio content wasn’t controlled by the government but the BBC censored itself and played a key role in keeping up morale.
Government control
What was food supply like in WW1?
Government worked with local councils to increase food production. i.e ploughing up school fields to grow crops.
Government control
What was food supply like in WW2?
Rationing introduced from the start.
Huge black market of luxury goods however most historians believe rationing was fair and that the health of the population improved.
Government control
What was industry like in WW1?
Women’s land Army - To replace men serving in the armed forces, women worked in war industries.
Trade unions forced the government to pay women equal wages and demanded that once the men returned, the women could resort back to what they were doing before.
Government control
What was industry like in WW2? (3)
Lots of cooperation between government and trade unions, i.e the conscription of men as young as 16 into the coal mines.
By late 1941 women were conscripted - 8 times more women were involved in WW2 than in WW1.
Flexible working and childcare facilities weer introduced to help women cope with work and family.
Government control
What was evacuation like in WW2?
1.5 million, mainly children, were moved to the countryside for their safety.
The Programme was well planned but huge migration like this brought problems. i.e many found it hard to adjust and there were clashes with the evacuees and locals.
How did the WW1 & after affect the relationship between government and people? (5)
DORA - government introduced restrictions on day to day life and some still exist.
1918 Representation of the People Act gave vote to all the men over 21 and to women over 30. - reward for support & sacrifice.
1920-30s - High levels of unemployment and a conservative government which clashed with trade union.
Many strikes, i.e General Strike of May 1926
Working classes in Britain’s industrial areas were left feeling bitter and betrayed.
How did WW2 and after affect the relationship between government and people?
The Beveridge Report
The government set a civil servant, Sir William Beveridge, to research the problems and to suggest solutions. In 1942 he published a report in which he identified 5 ‘giant evils’ affecting society
1945 - General Election
The Labour Party won the election over Winston Churchill and brought in the reforms that Beveridge suggested. Including the NHS, a program for rebuilding houses and to provide employment for all workers.
What were the 5 giant evils of the Beveridge Report?
Disease Poverty Ignorance Squalor Idleness
