World War I

1. World War I Total War ! The British Home Front

2. The role of government • The role of government increased • To control industry, a Ministry of Munitions was created in 1915 • Took over key areas and established national factories • Industrial controls were increased, strikes were forbidden • Directed labour • Controls on work and production were increased

3. The role of government • Rationing was introduced in 1916 – for milk, tea, meat sugar and bread • DORA – mail and newspapers were censored • Propaganda promoted recruitment, war loans and war work • Beer-strength public houses were closed mid-afternoon

4. The role of government • Taxation was increased: death duties and super tax of incomes over 8,000 pounds • With casualties in Dec 1915 numbering 380,000 conscription was introduced • ‘reserved’ occupations were exempt

5. Social Changes • The importance of women in the workforce grew – one million were employed in munitions and others in a variety of male occupations as blacksmiths, bus conductors, bank clerks, etc • Changes in clothing and social habits • As a recognition of their war effort women over the age of 30 were given the right to vote in 1918

6. Social Changes • Anti-German feeling rose • Holidays and social activities declined • Class barriers were ignored – middle class women worked in factories • The super tax slightly reduced the gap between the rich and poor.

7. Trade and Industry • Initially it was business as usual. • But working conditions and wages declined • Hours of labour increased • This led to industrial disputes • The Ministry of Munitions created more effective use of resources • Food shortages occurred

8. Trade and Industry • Costs rose 110% between 1914 – 1918 • Labour shortages in agriculture necessitated government intervention • Exports to Canada, India and China declined • Britain became a debtor to the USA • In 1918, with social discontent increasing, PM Lloyd George refused to send troops to Russia to fight the Bolsheviks

9. Politics • In May 1915 the Liberal Prime Minister Asquith created a coalition of the three major political parties • This was in response to the need for government control of both the home and battle fronts • In Dec 1916 Asquith resigned after defeats on the Western Front, rebellion in Ireland and the death of Kitchener, the minister for war • Lloyd George became the new Prime Minister and remained so until the end of the war