Britain at War 1914 - 1918

Britain at War 1914 - 1918

Background

• Britain declared war on Germany on 4th August 1914.
• It was the largest, longest and most devastating conflict ever. 
• It was the first industrial war and the first to affect all aspects of society.
• It was to accelerate significant changes in Britain.

What impact did WW1 have on civilians?

Volunteers

• Thousands of civilians volunteered to enlist in the Army following Lord Kitchener's (Secretary of State for War) massive recruitment drive ("Your Country Needs You"). The army was only 250,000 strong and Lord Kitchener estimated he needed at least one million men. The Government used posters, pamphlets, patriotic speeches to encourage young men to enlist - and it worked!. The Pals Battalions were made up of young working class men who were keen to escape their boring lifes and have an adventure. Others were cajoled by their friends or emotionally blackmailed by propoganda. White feathers (a sign of cowardice) were handed out to those who didn't volunteered. By 1916, over 2.5 million had signed up.
• Effect: ordinary families were deprived of husbands, fathers etc and millions were killed or physically or mentally scarred. Normal family life was impossible.

Conscription

• With heavy losses, the Army was depleted and replacements had to be found. In January 1916, the first Conscription Act made military service compulsory for all single men aged 18 - 41 and it was then extended to married men. Workers vital to the economy were allowed to remain at home.

Conscientious Objectors

•  Some men refused to fight on religious or humanitarian grounds. They had to go in front of a tribunal and convince them they were genuine. Most served in back up services e.g. driving ambulances. If they refused to do this, they were imprisoned. Those who failed to convince a tribunal were conscripted anyway and shot if they refused orders. There was little sympathy from the public for conscientious objectors.

Attacks on the mainland

• The Germans attacked the mainland and civilians were killed and injured. Around 2,000 civilians lost their lifes. It was a relatively small number but it brought home to people the horror of war and preparations were made against invasion e.g. anti-aircraft guns and barrage ballons on the coast.

How did government control industry and why?

• It controlled industry so that troops could be adequately supplied with armaments etc
• Defence of the Realm laws gave parliament the power to control industry, seize land and decide what information would be made public.
• The Government controlled the Mining Industry. Private owners had their profits fixed and the surplus went to the Government. Miners weren't conscripted into the army. 
• Railways were run by the Government to ensure troops could be mobilized
• A Ministry of Munitions was set up to deal with the shortage of shells, bullets and guns on the western front.
• Laws were introduced to ensure that there…