impact of ww1 - was the reson britian became more democratic vetween 1851-1928 Flashcards
KU? - what was WW1
a war fought to ensure democracy provailed whilst preventing the undemocratic and unlawful occupation of country’s
KU - What did brits involved in the war effort begin to question
Brits involved in the war began to question the fact that they were fighting in the name of democracy, yet, they didn’t actually come from a democratic country themselves
KU - what was the most significant political change introduced immediately after the war
One of the most significant political changes to occur immediately after the war was the introduction of the representation of the people act, 1918 which gave all men over 21 the vote (or over 19 for servicemen) and some women who met certain requirements
KU expanded - why did the government introduce more democratic reform after the war
reform (such as the representation of the people act) was introduced as the government recognised how unfair it was to split democratic rights along the basis of social class when men of all social classes had lived and fought together for their country in the trenches
A - Therefor britain did become a more democratic country between 1851-1928 due to the impact of ww1 because…
although pre-war social classes generally did not mix there was no segregation in the trenches and men of all social classes began to realise they shared many of the same political concerns such as britain not yet being fully democratic.
women on the home front were also united despite social class in worry about men and boys on the front line.
A+ - However, Britain was not yet fully democratic between 1851-1928 due to the impact of WW1 as…..
there were still clauses within the new laws which meant universal sufferage for example did not actually exist until 10 years after the war ended (the equal franchise act 1928)
Although different social classes were mixing durring the war this doesn’t/didn’t change the social advantages some people had over others
E - upon evaluation the impact of WW1 did play a big part in Britains becoming more democratic between 1851- 1928 however……
this still could not have happened without industrialisation and urbanisation which is what caused people not only in the trenches but also on the home front to recognise there shared political views and concerns
Had industrialisation not caused the influx of likeminded people into towns and cities there wouldn’t have been the same mixing and joint co operation of social class groups as in 1914-1918
increased access to liberarys for example had increased general knowlage alowing for this recognisision
A part 2 - this shift of public opinion during the war led to…..
this shift of public opinion during the war led to the introduction of more democratic acts by the government in the months and years immediately after the war such as the Parliament Qualification of Women act 1918 which allowed women to stand as candidates for the first time. Had different social classes not been brought together by the war the government may not have felt the need to introduce these changes so soon
