Life after the war

Question 1

when was VE day

Answer 1

Victory in Europe was celebrated on 8 may 1945

Question 2

how many houses were destroyed fraction

Answer 2

1/3 houses destroyed

Question 3

why did rationing continue

Answer 3

wartime rationing has to be continued due to shortages of food and raw materials because of ships sinking and little money to import goods This period in the UK is often called the age of austerity

Question 4

why was there still hope

Answer 4

almost everyone had employment
there was optimism due to winning the war
labour election victory showed change

Question 5

why was there optimism in wales

Answer 5

Many evacuees and women in the land armies had experienced life and Wales for the first time during the war. This exposure led to recognition that Wales had a distinct identity from the rest of Britain.

Question 6

demobilisation

Answer 6

took 18 months to release all military personnel many were angered by slow pace and led to disciplinary incidents

Question 7

why did ex service men struggle to return

Answer 7

returned to find their homes or previous places of work destroyed but the men were seen as heroes

Question 8

why did families and relationships struggle

Answer 8

had to adjust to living together again
some children barely knew their fathers or had never met them.
post war divorce rate became high
60,000 divorce applications 1947

Question 9

war damage
economic

Answer 9

Britain’s declining economy could not match the usa
Pressures of demobilised soldiers needing jobs
Shortages of food and materials
Britain loses 30% of total wealth

Question 10

causes for the 1945 election victory

Answer 10

Perhaps the British people wanted to see a period of change I believe labour would bring a break from the 1930s depression
Conservatives run a fraud campaign by focusing on Churchill war victory this didn’t appeal to voters because they wanted to move on from the war
Confidence that labour would bring great economic and political change by acting upon the beveridge report and welfare state

Question 11

What was the beverage report?

Answer 11

written by William beverage the beverage report provided the summary of principles necessary to banish poverty and want from Britain. These included tackling the five giants
want
ignorance
disease
idleness
squalor

Question 12

what was the welfare state?

Answer 12

A series of social reforms measures by the labour government
NHS
Formula allowances where parents received a weekly payment after the birth of their second child
Council housing