Britain during WW2

Question 1

What 4 things changed/were introduced during WW2?

Answer 1

• A more active gov.
• Managed economy
• Industrial relations
• Society + collectivism

Question 2

Explain how the government was more active during WW2

Answer 2

• Emergency Powers Act (1940) - PM + gov. granted special powers in national emergency
• Less free-market + more gov. planning - rationing, Essential Work Order, conscription + censorship
• Total war - 1/3 of citizens were taking in war-related work

Question 3

Explain how a managed (mixed) economy was introduced during WW2

Answer 3

• What transformation the National gov. brought about - rationing + conscription introduced immediately, registration for employment made compulsory in 1941 (8.5 mil work orders issued) + by 1945 1/3 of citizens involved in war-related work
• More military spending + running out of cash - in 1941-1945 over half of gov. spending was on military
• More dependent on other countries for support - received £6 bil of Marshall Aid (from 1948) & Lend-Lease Agreement with USA which meant US would supply what Brit. needed + Brit. could pay debt after war

Question 4

Explain how industrial relations changed during WW2

Answer 4

• Significance of Ernest Bevin - Minister of Labour 1940 (was a trade unionist). He promoted working relationships between unions + management (+ envisioned welfare state)
• 1944 Coal Miners strike illustrating more power that workers had than before - suffered from wage cuts + poor conditions

Question 5

Explain how society changed + collectivism was introduced during WW2

Answer 5

• More chances for women - % of women who worked as engineers rose from 14% to 33% by 1945
• Effect on class structures - people of all classes went through the same thing. When Buckingham Palace was bombed Queen Elizabeth I’s speech was talking about how they all experienced effects of war together - less division + brought people together
• New consensus on healthcare brought about by Blitz - underpinned by the intro. of the national emergency healthcare system + Emergency Medical Service in 1939 intro. which was first aid for air raid casualties (later used to treat civilians + evacuate children)
• Collectivism - approach where certain probs tackled by taking away some rights for common good