Life during Wartime Flashcards
LIFE DURING WARTIME
what was the blitz?
from september 1940, Hitler attempted to bomb britain into submission. Between september 1940 and May 1941, the Luftwaffe bombed britian’s major towns and cities.
LIFE DURING WARTIME
what were hitler’s aims throught the blitz?
- force britain to surrender
- to break the morale of the british
- to destroy the homes and lives of the civilian population
- to destroy industry, shipyards and railways that would help with the war effort
LIFE DURING WARTIME
can you describe the bombing in Coventry?
- 14th November 1940
- 30,000+ incendiary bombs dropped on aircraft factories
- back in production within 5 days
LIFE DURING WARTIME
can you describe the bombing in Liverpool?
- attacked regularly but biggest 3rd May 1941
- over 600 bombers
- there were fires and the water mains were hit
- docks and housed devastated
LIFE DURING WARTIME
what was the bombardment of Swansea?
19-21st february 1941
- 1273 high explosive bombs
- 230 deaths, 397 injured
- port, docks and oil refinery was targeted
LIFE DURING WARTIME
what was the Belfast blitz?
- consisted of 4 attacks in April and May 1941.
- industrial areas were key targets
LIFE DURING WARTIME
can you describe the bombing in London?
- bombed every night from 7th september to 2nd november
- 13,500 tons of high explosive bombs dropped over 57 raids
- over 15,000 killed ans 250,000 made homeless
- St Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and the House of Commons was also bombed
LIFE DURING WARTIME
when did evacuation begin? who was evacuated? why?
- began 1st september 1939
- children, pregnant women and people with disabolities were evacuated
- went to safer areas in the countryside e.g. Wales as it was less likely to be attacked by German bombers
- 1.5 million evacuated in first wave
LIFE DURING WARTIME
what are some successes and limitations of evacuation?
successes
- some were treated as part of the family and developed strong bonds
- some had better standard of living
- some saw countryside for the first time
limitations
- some were badly treated
- some were used as unpaid workers and saw little empathy or support
- clash between rural and city values
LIFE DURING WARTIME
why was rationing needed?
britiain depended on food imported and ships arriving were vulnerable to attack
LIFE DURING WARTIME
what was National registration day?
on the 29th september 1939
- everyone had to fill in a form with details of who lived in their house
LIFE DURING WARTIME
how was rationing constructed?
- the govt issued everyone an identity card and a ration book containing coupons so people could only buy what they were allowed
LIFE DURING WARTIME
why were propaganda campaigns launched?
to ensure there was as little waste as possible and people grew as much as they could
LIFE DURING WARTIME
what was rationed during the war? What benefits did this have?
-sugar, eggs and butter among many other things were rationed
- soap and other toiletries were also rationed
- this made the british people healthier
- the govt ensured it gave a balanced diet to all
- however there was an illegal black market where people with money paid higher prices for extra rations
LIFE DURING WARTIME
what did women do at the beginning of the war?
- registered for voluntary work
- many others demanded part time work in the industry
LIFE DURING WARTIME
what was the government’s initial reaction to women working?
they did not like it and told them to stay at home or stick to existing jobs
LIFE DURING WARTIME
when did the government start to organise the work of women? why?
-april 1941
- there were labour shortages so all women were registered to work
- in october 2 million more workers were needed in war industries and armed forces
LIFE DURING WARTIME
what was introduced in december 1941?
conscription for war work of women 19-30
LIFE DURING WARTIME
how did women contribute to the women’s armed forces?
- the women did the routine office, driving and domestic duties that freed the men up for combat duty
- women worked as mechanics, welders, pilots, carpenters and gunners
- worked in civilian medical centres, first aid posts, mobile canteens and rest centres
LIFE DURING WARTIME
how did women contribute to heavy industry and transport?
- worked in aircraft and munitions factories and as engineers, lorry drivers and mechanics
- in 1943, women occupied 57% of the jobs in factories and when they were in direct competition with men, they proved they could do better
- pay and conditions were often poor (lower pay then men’s).
LIFE DURING WARTIME
what was the Women’s Land Army?
- started by govt in July 1939 to increase the amount of food grown in Britain
- it was voluntary to begin with but then conscription was introduced
- by 1944, had 80 000 members
- most of the ‘Land Girls’ were from the countryside but a third came from London and the cities up North
