Conflict In Europe

1. Conflict In Europe

2. KEY CONCEPT – Impact ofWWII on Civilians – Britain

3. Introduction • Effects of World War II on the home fronts of Britain were numerousand 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

4. The beginning of war : • 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.

5. Women

6. Women • 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

7. Women • Someworked 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

8. Evacuation

9. Evacuation • 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 viapublic transport to less populated areas around the coast

10. Evacuation • 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”

11. Long-range bomber aircraft • 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

12. Long-range bomber aircraft 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

13. Rationing • 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

14. Rationing • 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

15. Economy • Employment of more labourersin 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

16. Conclusion • 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.