The Experience of War

WAR!

• War was declared on the 3rd of September 1939.• The first year was described as the “phoney war”• The serious fighting began in earnest in 1940.

1940

• The British Army had to be evacuated from Dunkirk. A serious setback which was turned into victory.

• The Battle of Britain, fought in the air, saved Britain from German invasion.

• There was a new national mood and a determination to defeat Hitler and create a better Britain.

The Government

• Churchill replaced Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister.

• He formed a Coalition government including all the main parties

• Some Labour MPs were given important jobs

• Clement Atlee became deputy Prime Minister and Ernest Bevin the Minister of Labour.

Evacuation

• The government was afraid the Germans would bomb British cities.

• Plans to evacuate school age children from the cities to the country were put into operation.

• The condition of children from deprived areas shocked middle class country dwellers.

Effects

• Different sections of society met up and socialised with each other in a way that had never happened before.

• It raised awareness of continuing social problems.

• It helped unite Britain and give its people a common experience and purpose

Bombing

• The Germans bombed key factories, transport and communication links.

• London was bombed every night for three months.• Other big industrial towns like Manchester, Liverpool and

Coventry were targetted.

Scotland

• In Scotland Glasgow, Dundee, Edinburgh were bombed.

• Aberdeen was the most bombed city in Scotland with 34 attacks.

• The most famous raid was on Clydebank when 1,000 people died.

Effects

• Very often bombers missed their targets and civilian areas were damaged.

• The homes of the rich and poor alike were damaged.

• People of different classes were brought together whether sheltering together, working as part of the air defence team .

• The government had to help all groups in society.

Rationing

• 60% of British food supplies came from abroad.

• The Nazis controlled most of Europe.

• Shortages led to queues and rising prices

Rationing

• The government had to ensure there were Fair shares for all

• Food rationing was introduced in 1940

• Clothes rationing was introduced in 1941.

Effects

• Rationing demonstrated the principle of universal and equal share of the national cake

• No one should profit from the war when everyone was fighting the same war.

Health

• The government also took direct control of the nation’s health.

• The ministry of food was to ensure everyone got not only their fair share but a balanced diet to be fit to fight.

• The ministry of food used propaganda to promote food economy and healthy eating.