The Impact Of War On Life On The Home Front Flashcards
List the 6 German activities which led up to the outbreak of war
Rearmament 1935 Reoccupation of the Rhineland 1936 Anschluss (Union) with Austria 1938 Invasion of the Sudetenland 1938 Invasion of the rest of Czechoslovakia 1939 Invasion of Poland September 1939
How do we describe Britain’s response to German aggression in the 1930s?
Appeasement (most closely associated with Prime Minister Chamberlain
What were the arguments for Appeasement ?
Versailles was too harsh Fear of another war Germany was anti communism Time needed Britain lacked money for war Britain more concerned with global empire
What were the arguments against Appeasement
Encouraged Hitler’s aggression
Germany got stronger , land and resources
USSR began not to trust Britain and made a deal with Germany
Britain should have known that Hitler would not keep his word
How did Britain prepare for war ?
Air raid Shelters. 400,000 distributed Wardens Gas masks and gas drills Anti aircraft guns Conscription - compulsory military training for 20-21 year old men
What was the Blitz?
Germany bombing British cities 1940-1941 particularly London
What was the spirit of the Blitz
Supposed high morale and defiance of the British public encouraged by speeches by Churchill and Royal visits to bombed areas.
What was evacuation ?
Children evacuated to the countryside ( evacuees)
What was Britain short of food during the war ?
Germany tried to starve Britain into defeat by using U-boats to sink merchant ships bringing food to Britain
What was the government response to food shortages?
Rationing
What was the black market ?
Illegal trade in food - usually at a very high price
What was the Dig for Victory campaign ?
Government encouraged people to grow their own food
Was rationing a success?
Yes, despite hardships people actually had a healthier and more balanced diet than before
What role did women play in the war ?
Women’s armed services
Women working in essential war work , eg the munitions factories or the land girls
Women were less than men. War work was hard long hours
How important was Churchill
Decisive, determined, excellent speeches , excellent war leader but he was defeated in the 1945 peacetime election.
