The Home Fronts What happened at home?

Home Front At the beginning of the war everybody was enthusiastic. Waving Flags, sang patriotic songs, gave money….. By the end of 1916 people had lost the enthusiasm.

War Restrictions The war reduced everybody’s freedom. The Defence of the Realm Act (DORA) allowed the Government to do anything it wanted. Censor newspapers, take land from anybody, pay rock bottom prices for goods, arrest anybody, etc… Military Service Act of 1916 (age 18-51)

Food Shortage Because both Britain and Germany were both trying to starve each other of supplies food hard to get. The Germans had it really bad because the had a bitterly cold winter. Turnips was the only food available for thousands of Germans. (many died)

The Price of War An average of 1500 people died a day during the 4 years of the war. Civilians were at risk of death. German warships shelled the north sea coast in 1914 and 1915. London was bombed by Zeppelin airships and later by Gotha airplanes. (1117 civilians died)

Zepplin and Gotha

Women at War Because a large number of men had to fight, women started to work in the factories. Worked in munitions factories. (yellow skin) Then every kind of job. Before the war was over women gained the right to vote. (equal rights)

Woman in Factories

Working for War