Britain - WWI Flashcards
The ways Britain was effected by the First World War?
- More machines were being used, U-boats and Zeppelins.
- Many boys would sign up when below the age of 18.
- The country had less money to spend on infrastructure as most of the money went into ammunition.
- Rationing caused by sinking of ships by U-boats.
- The British used convoys to get around the U-boat problem.
When did rationing start?
1918
Why did rationing start?
Because of the merchant ships being sunk by U-boats. 1 in 4 ships were now being sunk.
What was the problem with Britain food system that the Germans exploited?
2/3 of food was imported.
Terms for women getting the vote in Feb 1918?
- Women over the age of 30 were given the vote.
- Women over the age of 30 were allowed to become MP’s.
- All men over the age of 21 were given the vote.
Why was there a difference between ages for when men and women were allowed to vote?
The government were concerned of there being more women voters then male. The government was concerned of younger women being flirty and irresponsible.
Why did new laws need to be passed to change voting rights for men after the war?
Many soldiers had been out of the country so long anyway now that they had lost the right to vote. This became an opportunity to change women s rights as well.
Reasons why women should get the vote after the war?
- Women worked very had in factories to manufacture amunissons and vieichals.
- Women are needed to do jobs like post women and run shops, doctors and ambulance drivers.
Britain shortage of workers before the war?
By 1915 Britain was short of millions of workers, unless workers could be found for farming and factory, Britain would struggle to win the war.
What did the WSPU do to help the war effort?
- 1915, ‘Womens right to serve’ March.
- Sufferagette leaders became more loyal to the country then the men.
- Paper renamed ‘Britannia’ and organisation became known as the ‘Womens party’.
- The demanded conscription and went around offering feathers to cowards.
How did Sylvia Pankhurst react to the WSPU depression?
- Did not agree with this and formed a break away organisation which concentrated on social work and criticizing the war.
What did the NUWSS do ton help the war effort?
- Millicent Fawcett supported the war effort, the slogan ‘Women, your country needs you’ was published in 1914.
- Opposed conscription.
- The NUWSS set up an employment register and recruited as many women as they could in the position of men.
- Training schools were set up, example NottingHill training school that trained women to be welders.
- Organised hospitals
- However meetings with politicians were still ran to put pressure on the government. Some women were still campaigning for the vote.
Reason for Conscription?
-Control
The governments were able to control what men get called up so the mining etc could be kept.
Terms of conscription act and extensions?
- Jan 1916, parliament passed the conscription act.
- Made compulsory for all single men between 18 and 41 to join, three months it was extended to married men.
Volunteers, Statistics of the men who signed up?
- Many orchestras, football teams, bus deports joined together.
- They were kept together and called ‘Pals’ battalions.
- 500,000 signed in first month.
- By March 1916, 2.5 million volunteered.
Volunteers, The governments recruitment drive?
- Recruitment officers were in every town and city.
- Posters and leaflets to persuade people to join.
- Politicians traveled the country and made persuasive speeches.
Volunteers, Lord Kitchener (sectary of state for war)
- Prewar Britain had an army of 250,000 professional soldiers.
- One million needed.
Conscientious objectors, why people objected?
Religious or humanitarian objected because they didn’t want to kill people. These people had convinced the tribunals that there reasons were genuine.
Conscientious objectors, what did they do during the war instead?
- However it was son bought to attention that women would have to do other jobs like drive ambulances. Men who disagreed were imprisoned and sent to labor camps.
Nickname for conscientious objectors?
nicknamed ‘conchies’
Women s work in munitions factory?
- Helped to make weapons.
- Led to the Nickname, ‘Canary Girls’, because skin turned yellow.
Women s work in Agriculture?
Agricultural Labours - ‘Land Girls’
How did the war help women with the vote in 1918?
- Disproved the idea of separate Spheres.
- Earn trust and respect.
- Government may have have been worried about a return to violent protest.
Censorship in WW1?
Censorship of the media in WW1 and also censorship of letters - anything that demoralized or showed location or strategy.
