Conflict In Europe

Effects of World War II on the home fronts of Britain were numerous and diverse

 

Brought about many changes in:* The civilian’s social culture* Economic (wealth)

distribution* Attitudes to war

 

Effect of war left changes that have remained today, such as:

* The independence of women* Racial tolerance in our

society

Somewhat less rapturous than it had been during WWI

 

Britain’s Prime Minister Chamberlain - “peace in our time” -> public was so certain of it

 

When the War was finally declared, the response was unenthusiastic

 

“There was a sense of relief and the illusions of appeasement were at last over” - Ken Webb

 

Britain had an excess of 875,000 men, both conscripted and voluntary.

Took on jobs - deemed too “macho” for them to undertake

  The formation of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (RAAF)

and the Women’s Royal Naval Service

Women never took combat roles in Britain 

Some worked as intelligence agents in the Special Operations Executive, a branch specialising in:

* Decoders* Spies* Assassins

 

RESULT: * Seen increasingly as capable compared to their male counterparts

* Improved the lives of women

The biggest movements in Britain.  

Evacuation program - devised to divide the country into neutral, evacuation and reception areas.

  Over 3 million children, mothers,

hospital patients and handicapped people from congested areas would be moved via public transport to less populated areas around the coast

Relocation program also brought with it many social surprises

  Many of the children came from

slum conditions quite unknown to country people

  War helped to break down ancient

social barriers.

  “The most important subject in the

social history of the war, because it revealed to the whole people the black spots of social life”

Concept of Total War - “traditional distinction between men setting off to the front while civilians stayed behind the range of death disappeared” - P. Calvocoressi

  Bomber - weapon that turned

civilians into combatants

  Frequent Blitzkrieg attacks - many

families purchased bomb shelters

Homeless posed a problem greater than the dead Survival in a total war created momentary breakdown of class barriers The war also gave rise to expectations of British social reform

Factories became more focused on war production

  The first few items to be rationed were

essential foodstuffs such as: * Milk* Butter* Sugar* Ham/bacon

  Other products also added to the list were:

* Eggs* Fish* Sweets* Preserves* Cheese

Other food products such as chocolate and whipped cream became almost unheard of

  British ministry released hundreds of thousands of rationing booklets   Shortage of materials also brought new fashion styles > Young women now

dared to wear trousers; overall

Employment of more labourers in the workforce significantly reduced the number of unemployment

  With the added bonuses of higher wages, workers found

themselves with higher purchasing power and this prompted the government to impose higher taxes.

  Money and tax problems certainly took second place

when each night brought the physical fear of bombs, and each day the struggle of food shortages.

  Poverty - became a national problem as even the rich

became poor

  Poorest classes > benefit most from domestic aid  RESULTS:

* Improved the economic distribution

Effects of war has led to many changes in the cultures

  Direct consequence of the war was

the short term effects of suffering and death on British home front

  War became a revelation for the

social ills that plagued Britain long before, such as health, disease and poverty

  The war also brought long-term

effects which helped to improve Britain both economically and socially.