What caused World War II?
The main causes of World War II are: The Treaty of Versailles- this is the treaty that Germany signed, with the Allies at the end of World War 1. Reparations (payments) were forced upon Germany leaving the economy in ruins. Japanese expansion- this started in the period before the war. The Japanese did not have enough resources to sustain the growth of this relatively small island nation. They invaded Manchuria and China in order to gain more resources Fascism- the turmoil left behind from World War 1 led to the rise to power of dictators in Spain and Italy who formed extreme right wing governments. Hitler & the Nazi Party- after the war Germans were desperate for a leader to bring them out of national crisis and restore their pride. Hitler provided them with a solution. Hitler began to expand his empire by annexing Austria in 1938 and Czechoslovakia in 1939. Appeasementb- the Allied Powers were fearful of another war and tried to keep the peace. This only made Hitler bolder and he next invaded Poland. The Great Depression- the economic suffering around the world during the period before World War II caused severe hardship and lead to unstable governments. This helped to lead to World War II. |
Why was World War II important to Britain?
World War II was important to Britain because it bought about major leaps in technology and serious social changes. The role of women in society changed as they realised that they could do jobs previously done by men. There was a decline in the British aristocracy as it became more difficult and costly to maintain large Estates. By 1945 more women were working and contributing to household incomes as well as looking after the household on their own. Men and women were less inclined to go into service, as roles they had taken on during the war provided them with more opportunities. Advances in technology led to more people owning radios and televisions thus making information and knowledge more accessible. Advances in manufacturing and increased demand caused a drop in the price of luxury items such as cars making them more affordable. World War II hastened the end of the British Empire as people’s expectations changed and more British Colonies sought independence from Britain.
World War II was important to Britain because it bought about major leaps in technology and serious social changes. The role of women in society changed as they realised that they could do jobs previously done by men. There was a decline in the British aristocracy as it became more difficult and costly to maintain large Estates. By 1945 more women were working and contributing to household incomes as well as looking after the household on their own. Men and women were less inclined to go into service, as roles they had taken on during the war provided them with more opportunities. Advances in technology led to more people owning radios and televisions thus making information and knowledge more accessible. Advances in manufacturing and increased demand caused a drop in the price of luxury items such as cars making them more affordable. World War II hastened the end of the British Empire as people’s expectations changed and more British Colonies sought independence from Britain.
I spoke to my experts Mrs Pat Curtis and my Grandad and Grandpa who gave me great insight into what British society was like before, during and after WWII.
What was British society like before World War II?
In the the years before World War II Britain was still recovering from the Great War and the Depression that followed. The general strike of 1926 left 1.5 million people out of work. This had a major effect on the ship building, coal and textile industries because production slowed down and even by the start of World War II they had not fully recovered.
Eventually mass production finally occurred and consumer goods came out into the market in large quantities with cheaper prices. A good example was
· the radio which provided access to news and music and current affairs.
· the ability to acquire a tailored suit for 6 shillings
Socially music became more popular. Jazz Ragtime music developed into Jazz and people flocked to dance halls where they danced and mingled. Young women started drinking in the 1920’s, they were known as “bright young things” and enjoyed social freedom not previously available to the older generations. Educationally the introduction of the 11+ exam in the 1930’s, which all children were expected to sit, was put together so that the bulk of state school students would fail unless they had 6 months private tuition paid for by their parents. This was a way of keeping the working class in place for the benefit of the better educated population.
What was British society like before World War II?
In the the years before World War II Britain was still recovering from the Great War and the Depression that followed. The general strike of 1926 left 1.5 million people out of work. This had a major effect on the ship building, coal and textile industries because production slowed down and even by the start of World War II they had not fully recovered.
Eventually mass production finally occurred and consumer goods came out into the market in large quantities with cheaper prices. A good example was
· the radio which provided access to news and music and current affairs.
· the ability to acquire a tailored suit for 6 shillings
Socially music became more popular. Jazz Ragtime music developed into Jazz and people flocked to dance halls where they danced and mingled. Young women started drinking in the 1920’s, they were known as “bright young things” and enjoyed social freedom not previously available to the older generations. Educationally the introduction of the 11+ exam in the 1930’s, which all children were expected to sit, was put together so that the bulk of state school students would fail unless they had 6 months private tuition paid for by their parents. This was a way of keeping the working class in place for the benefit of the better educated population.
Members of the HomeGuard posing with Anti Aircraft Gun
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What was British society like during World War II
In the early years of World War II British society was experiencing the worst threat; the threat of invasion. The Luftwaffe was bombing Britain day and night. Women played an important role in the war effort as they served side by side in the ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) and on farms as “Land Girls.” Rationing was introduced to ensure the soldiers fighting would have enough food and the civilians would be sustained as well. Rationing improved many peoples diet because most of the food available during the war was vegetables and a little meat. Children also ate healthier because they had only a ¼ of a pound of sweets a month. Most of the children had never seen a fruit before. Consumer goods during the war became more expensive because most of the factories were converted to help the war effort. The citizens were facing hard times not knowing whether their house would be destroyed next. The neighbours of the people whose houses were bombed were very kind and took them in. There were a lot of war related items used by the people of Britain. There were Anderson Shelters which were air raid shelters in the back garden. They were only made to protect the inhabitants from rubble and flying glass and could not stop direct hits from bombs. Schools that were near the commonly bombed areas added essential gas masks to the uniform in case of a German gas attack. The students couldn’t go to school if they didn’t have their gas mask. |
What was Britain like after World War II?
Many years after World War II Britain was still recovering. Millions of young men were returning home from fighting abroad and needed jobs, medical care and help returning to everyday life. This time was known as the period of Austerity.
Winston Churchill, after leading Britain through the dark years of the war lost the election in 1945. People wanted to move beyond the war years and expressed their frustration at the polls. The incoming labour government after having promised an expensive program of creation of large public companies to run public utilities found the treasury was nearly bankrupt.
Britain was in debt to America because they had paid the Americans for weapons and ammunition throughout the war and only came out of debt in the mid 1980’s.
Rationing was still operating eight years after the war. In 1953 the last thing to come out of rationing were sweets. British people were unhappy about having to continue with the rationing system but for the poor it was very beneficial, because their rationed food had a much better nutritional value than what they ate before the war.
Many returning soldiers found it difficult to adjust back to everyday life and some children got to know their father for the first time. My Grandad was one of many returned service men who was unsettled and chose to emigrate to New Zealand in 1946 in search of freedom and opportunities.
Many years after World War II Britain was still recovering. Millions of young men were returning home from fighting abroad and needed jobs, medical care and help returning to everyday life. This time was known as the period of Austerity.
Winston Churchill, after leading Britain through the dark years of the war lost the election in 1945. People wanted to move beyond the war years and expressed their frustration at the polls. The incoming labour government after having promised an expensive program of creation of large public companies to run public utilities found the treasury was nearly bankrupt.
Britain was in debt to America because they had paid the Americans for weapons and ammunition throughout the war and only came out of debt in the mid 1980’s.
Rationing was still operating eight years after the war. In 1953 the last thing to come out of rationing were sweets. British people were unhappy about having to continue with the rationing system but for the poor it was very beneficial, because their rationed food had a much better nutritional value than what they ate before the war.
Many returning soldiers found it difficult to adjust back to everyday life and some children got to know their father for the first time. My Grandad was one of many returned service men who was unsettled and chose to emigrate to New Zealand in 1946 in search of freedom and opportunities.
How did British society come together because of this event?
World War II was the first war to have a major impact on civilian life and British society came together because of this. People took the blackout seriously and obtained black material to make their blackout curtains. Older men were wardens and patrolled the streets making sure no light was visible.
People were determined to carry on with their lives and still went to dance halls and danced and socialized with other people. Restaurants and clubs stayed open and business continued as normal
The King and Queen showed they were in touch with the people as they inspected the damage done to Buckingham Palace during an air raid.
The British people showed their ability to come together even after the war, an example of this is; many brides to be gave their clothing coupons to Princess Elizabeth for her wedding dress as she was still required to use coupons.
It was these things that bought Britain closer together as a nation.
World War II was the first war to have a major impact on civilian life and British society came together because of this. People took the blackout seriously and obtained black material to make their blackout curtains. Older men were wardens and patrolled the streets making sure no light was visible.
People were determined to carry on with their lives and still went to dance halls and danced and socialized with other people. Restaurants and clubs stayed open and business continued as normal
The King and Queen showed they were in touch with the people as they inspected the damage done to Buckingham Palace during an air raid.
The British people showed their ability to come together even after the war, an example of this is; many brides to be gave their clothing coupons to Princess Elizabeth for her wedding dress as she was still required to use coupons.
It was these things that bought Britain closer together as a nation.
Women queuing to buy the weekly rations
What positive impact did the declaration of war have on British society?
The War had a major impact on British society. Some of the positive points were;
As men went off to war single women were accepted to work on farms, in the Auxiliary Territorial Service and factories producing ships, planes, vehicles and munitions. Most of the jobs in Britain at that time were acquired by men, that meant that men who were not medically fit to go to war and single women came into occupy these jobs. Jobs became plentiful because of the increasing production of war related equipment needed to sustain the British Armed Forces.
The campaigns like “Dig for Victory” gave the British people a common sense of purpose that raised morale. As Winston Churchill led them through the hard times when Britain was being bombed constantly they reinforced their national identity and became determined to defend Britain at any cost This quote from Winston Churchill describes their determination to defend their home land
We shall fight on the beaches,
We shall fight on the landing grounds,
We shall fight in the fields and in the streets,
We shall fight in the hills;
We shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.
b
The War had a major impact on British society. Some of the positive points were;
As men went off to war single women were accepted to work on farms, in the Auxiliary Territorial Service and factories producing ships, planes, vehicles and munitions. Most of the jobs in Britain at that time were acquired by men, that meant that men who were not medically fit to go to war and single women came into occupy these jobs. Jobs became plentiful because of the increasing production of war related equipment needed to sustain the British Armed Forces.
The campaigns like “Dig for Victory” gave the British people a common sense of purpose that raised morale. As Winston Churchill led them through the hard times when Britain was being bombed constantly they reinforced their national identity and became determined to defend Britain at any cost This quote from Winston Churchill describes their determination to defend their home land
We shall fight on the beaches,
We shall fight on the landing grounds,
We shall fight in the fields and in the streets,
We shall fight in the hills;
We shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.
b
Did WWII affected British society forever-if so how?
There were three major development that changed British life forever
Antibiotics- Antibiotics were first purified and used in the 1940’s. They were used by the military to treat infections and diseases caused by bacteria. They changed Britain for ever as the amount of bacteria related disease deaths plummeted. At that time they were known as “wonder drugs” as they cured most diseases previously fatal.
Radar- The first radar system was produced in 1935 by the British physicist Sir Robert Watson-Watt, and in 1939 England had established a chain of radar stations along its coasts to detect attackers in the air or on the sea. Radar was crucial to the victory in the battle of Britain as it gave the British fighters a warning that the enemy was in their air space so they could be in the air by the time the Germans had arrived.
Jet Engine- the Jet engine was invented in 1930 by Frank Whittle. He registered a patent for the turbo jet engine in 1930 and received recognition but did not perform a test flight until 1941. This led to the construction of the Gloster Meteor in 1944. Because of him we now have our aeroplanes that take us on holiday. My Grandfather lived three doors down from Frank Whittle in Rugby and often played with his son.
There were three major development that changed British life forever
Antibiotics- Antibiotics were first purified and used in the 1940’s. They were used by the military to treat infections and diseases caused by bacteria. They changed Britain for ever as the amount of bacteria related disease deaths plummeted. At that time they were known as “wonder drugs” as they cured most diseases previously fatal.
Radar- The first radar system was produced in 1935 by the British physicist Sir Robert Watson-Watt, and in 1939 England had established a chain of radar stations along its coasts to detect attackers in the air or on the sea. Radar was crucial to the victory in the battle of Britain as it gave the British fighters a warning that the enemy was in their air space so they could be in the air by the time the Germans had arrived.
Jet Engine- the Jet engine was invented in 1930 by Frank Whittle. He registered a patent for the turbo jet engine in 1930 and received recognition but did not perform a test flight until 1941. This led to the construction of the Gloster Meteor in 1944. Because of him we now have our aeroplanes that take us on holiday. My Grandfather lived three doors down from Frank Whittle in Rugby and often played with his son.