The Era Of The Great War #5: Defence Of The Realm Act (DORA) Flashcards
What did DORA generally allow?
It authorised the government to do almost anything it thought necessary to Gelo the war effort and protect the country
What were the implications of the fact that DORA did not have to ask parliament about each new regulation?
They could essentially restrict peoples rights and freedoms as they could bypass parliament
Why was DORA introduced?
It was aimed at helping Britain to win the war : an emergency measure
Positives of DORA
- drew attention to factories
- encouraged industry in trade unions
- introduced women
- workers payed more
- censorship DID potentially save many lives as enemies didn’t find out sensitive info
- helped win war
- brought parties together
Negatives of DORA
- censorship
- widened police power
DORA was testament to the liberal attitude at the time. Why?
People accepted it
What was the job of the War Press Office?
They made sure that any news, letters, etc or things coming to or from the trenches were censored to keep troop movements secret
In what 5 ways was information censored or altered?
- casualty figures played down
- misleading accounts of battles
- exaggerated allied successes
- accounts of German atrocities were widely broadcast
- gruesome photos rarely published
What would happen to you if you broke a censorship law?
- Governemnt could imprison you without a trial
- Military could court martial you, meaning you would get a military and not a civilian trial
When was the defence of the realm act introduced?
8 August 1914
Why couldn’t people trespass on railway lines or bridges?
- In case trains with resources were disrupted
- Couldn’t loiter in/around bridges in case of attempted sabotage
Why couldn’t people light bonfires or fireworks?
- In case it interfered with aeroplanes
- could attract zeppelins
Why couldn’t people talk about naval or military matters in public?
In case spies were nearby
Why couldn’t people spread rumours about military matters?
Could make morale low if rumours of a loss
Why couldn’t people buy binoculars?
They were needed for soldiers so there was risk of a shortage