The British Home Front Flashcards
What was the Defence of the Realm Act (DORA)? (1914)
Allowed the government to censor, imprison without trial, take over industry for war effort and place numerous restrictions
DORA was added to later in the war
What were the laws regarding censorship?
Letters home from the Western Front were censored
It was against the law to talk military or naval tactics in a public place
Newspapers were told to only report pro-alliance stories
All news had to be approved by the government, pictures were provided by the government to go into news (often staged)
It was against the law to comment negatively on anything that could damage morale
Who was and What happened to John Mackean? (1915)
A well known Scottish communist was arrested for uttering words to do with ‘prejudice recruiting’
Fined £5 and imprisoned for 5 days, when he refused to pay he was dismissed from his post as a teacher
How did the government control industry?
Given the power to make workers to stay in jobs or take up other jobs
They could not transfer jobs for better pay if their job was in war industry
After the 1915 munition crisis, the government took control of private industries and coal mines to make sure enough munition was being produced
What personal restrictions did the government put in place?
Food rationing, alcohol consumption (Pubs opening times restricted, beer was watered down) - to improve productivity
Besides DORA, how else did the government control people?
Persuading them with propaganda
Showing Germans as monsters and Brits as Hero’s, it motivated people to stop the monsters by listening to the government
Why did so many people sign up for the army?
In 1914 due to propaganda and pressure from others, a wave of patriotism spread the UK, even leading to towns competing to seem the ‘most patriotic’. Organisations and towns that signed up as a collective were called ‘Pals battalions’ (they trained together so the army had strong bonds)
What was the downside to ‘Pals battalions’?
If one group/towns people were mostly wiped out, then at the end of the war there were barley an men in some areas
What was the Derby scheme and why was it created? (1915)
The realisation that the war was not ‘fun’ and the heavy loses on the western front meant that the derby scheme was introduced. Me were asked to promise they would join up if asked. It was said that single men would be called up before married men
Less than half the country’s men agreed.
What was the Military Service Act? (1916)
All single men from 18-41 could be called up if necessary
A few months later this was extended to married men
Signing up was no longer voluntary (conscription)
Who didn’t have to go to war who fit the category of conscription?
The youngest of multiple children occasionally for the mothers sake People who did not pass the medical examination Jobs such as train drivers and miners could stay because of their importance Conscientious objectors (some imprisoned and most hated)
What did conscientious objectors do in the war?
After being questioned by a tribunal were given non-violent jobs such as driving the ambulances on the front line or stretcher bearers. Many did duties at home that it was thought a woman could not do (builder)
What happened to people who refused to take any part in the war? (Conshies/Absolutists)
Imprisoned without trial. Hated by the general public
Occasionally sentenced to death
What was the submarine threat? (1915)
Germans announced all merchant shipping entering or leaving Britain would be sunk. They knew they could not stop all ships but they could sink a large number of them. By 1917 they were sinking 1/4 of merchant ships
The Brits were in very short supply and the government did not know what to do
How did the Brits solve the submarine threat?
A convoy system. Merchant ships sailed in convoy protected by Royal naval destroyers. This did not completely solve the shortages problem
What did the government do to manage the food shortages?
Made restrictions- white bread was banned, amount of meat was limited
The royal family cut their food consumption by a quarter
Propaganda was everywhere telling people to not waste food
In 1918, official rationing began
How did rationing work?
Ration cards were issued. Shopkeepers would record what they sold on customers ration cards and coupons were exchanged. So no one would get more than the legal amount
What was the role of women during the war?
With 5million men joining the army, it was the women’s job to do their previous job and keep the country economically active so they could survive and make weaponry for the soldiers
What did the suffragettes do because of the lack of recognition women were getting? (1915)
Organised a demonstration in London demanding the ‘right to serve’
This helped raise awareness for the part women were playing
What happened to women who worked in munition factories?
Due to the chemicals, women’s skin would sometimes turn yellow, giving them the nickname ‘canaries’
Some factories blew up, many considered the risk worth it as it was very good pay
What was the women’s land army?
Women taking farmers jobs to help grow food so they weren’t so reliant on merchant ships
What happened in 1917 that was another step towards women’s equality?
Women could work in the armed forces. Many joined the women’s versions of the army, navy and Air Force. Others served as nurses on the Western Front
What were the white feathers used for?
Women gave them to men that did not sign up for the army as a symbol for a coward
What made this war different to other wars?
Never before had the government been allowed to use censorship, make people go to war and control where people work all for the sake of victory
