Impact of the war on the home front

Impact of the war on the home front

There were only 16,000 conscientious objectors and only 1,500 of these were absolutists who refused to do any work.

The war saw a huge growth in the power of the state which was seen in DORA (passed in August 1914) :

.Ministry of munitions took over arms factories and created its own

.Railways and mines were taken over by the state

.In 1918, sugar, meat, butter, tea and jam were rationed

.Restrictions were placed on alcohol, pub opening hours restricted

.Blackouts introduced

.Censorship of the press and private telegrams

.Land use regulated to make sure land was not left uncultivated

.considerable amount of propaganda

Conscription was introduced in May 1916. There was provision for conscientious objectors but they were treated harshly. 

Impact on living standards

German U boats struck merchant ships importing food and supplies from the USA and Canada. As well as this the loss of manpower on farms led to food shortages and hunger. Between 1914 and 1917, 600,000 children were withdrawn from school for war work. Some cities suffered from German attacks and air raids. An influenza epidemic was put down to malnutrition in 1918.

Casualties of war fell disproportionately on wealthier people since many working class people had been too unhealthy to go to war. During the war, working class people who weren't fighting could afford more food than previously. The labour shortage meant that wages rose faster than prices. Gov control on rents and restrictions on alcohol saved some families money. Men being away reduced family size so…