The Role of Government During War (Censorship and Propaganda) Flashcards
What law was passed in August 1939 as war became inevitable?
The Emergency Powers Defence Act
What did the Emergency Powers Defence Act give the government the power to do?
It gave the government the power to act decisively (without the need to consult parliament) to take control of all aspect’s of people’s lives
Why was censorship introduced?
- To stop important information reaching the enemy
- To stop information that might be damaging to morale reaching the public
How was overseas mail censored?
All overseas mail was read by the government and anything sensitive was blacked out
Why were soldiers’ letters censored?
All soldiers letters were read to ensure military secrets weren’t given away
Were telephone calls censored?
Yes, even King George and Winston Churchill were subject to this restriction.
Were photographs censored?
Yes, photographs would be censored if they were deemed too distressing/would damage morale.
Which newspaper was banned during the war and why?
The Daily Worker was banned because it supported Stalin and rarely attacked Hitler.
How were newspapers censored generally?
Newspapers were closely monitored by the government
Which ministry was in charge of propaganda?
The Ministry of Information
By 1945, how many people worked for the Ministry of Information (MoI)?
3,000 people by 1945
Why did the MoI’s early posters not gain much support?
They were dull, lacked humour, and were seen as exclusive rather than inclusive
What were some of the campaigns the MoI ran?
To persuade people to:
- mend old clothes
- save fuel
- grow their own food
- not discuss things openly in public
What form of media did most people have access to in Britain during the war?
Radio - nearly all families had access to one
Why was the radio so important?
It was used to keep the public informed about the war.
