How did the population of London respond to the Blitz?

1. How did the population of London respond to the Blitz?

2. Learning objective – to be able to identify the response to the Blitz in London. I can explain the response to the Blitz in London. Grade 6 I can explain and assess the response to the Blitz in London. Grade 9 I can describe the response to the Blitz in London. Grade 3

3. What response was needed in London to the Blitz? Managing the government Continued presence of the Royal Family Use of public spaces Safeguarding art and buildings

4. How did managing the government change during the Blitz? It was decided before the war that the government would remain in London. The government did not want to be seen as abandoning the people of London. The New Public Offices building in Whitehall was chosen to establish the Cabinet War Rooms as the building had a steel frame and reinforced basement. The Cabinet War Rooms sheltered not only the government but the armed forces leaders and co-ordinated the entire war effort from the Map Room. It was cramped and extremely busy.

5. How was the Royal Family affected during the Blitz? Plans were drawn up to evacuate to Canada the Royal Family but these were abandoned as George VI wanted to stay in London. Although Princesses Margaret and Elizabeth were sent to Windsor Castle as it was seen as too risky to keep them in Central London. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth remained in London throughout the war and was seen visiting bombed communities. Buckingham Palace was hit and damaged during the Blitz to which Queen Elizabeth remarked ‘I can now look the East End in the face’.

6. How were public spaces to help the war effort during the Blitz? By 1942, there was a growing frustration of food shortages and the need to be able to feed oneself. In response, the Ministry of Agriculture announced the ‘Dig For Victory’ campaign. The campaign aimed to encourage people to turn their gardens into vegetable plots and to grow their own food. The campaign included lessons at school to encourage children to get involved in growing food as well as an extensive poster and leaflet campaign to boost morale and give support. The Dig For Victory campaign was a success as vegetable plots more than doubled during the war. This included turning public spaces, such as the moat in the Tower of London and Hyde Park into allotment plots.

7. How were art and important public buildings during the Blitz? London was home to many art galleries, landmarks and cultural buildings and the government saw it was important for morale to protect them. Many statues and other art works were sent out of London to such sites as Berkhamsted Castle, large country houses and even quarries and mines were used. Aldwych tube station was used to store the V and A’s ceramic collection. Many museums and galleries remained open even though some like the V and A were hit during the Blitz. St. Paul’s Cathedral became a symbol of London’s defiance of the Blitz.

8. Task – complete the table

9. Task - Complete the connection map on the response to the Blitz.

10. Plenary Write one sentence definitions for each picture on how it links to the lesson. Homework Complete – 3 links that link 2 pictures together. 3 links that link 3 pictures together. 2 links that link 4 pictures together.

11. Plenary – My Brain Subheading – My Brain Draw an outline of your brain. Fill your drawn brain with all the things you have learnt in this lesson. This can be in the form of key words, drawings, bullet points, lists – anything you like so long as it summarises your learning and that others can understand it.