Defence of the Realm Act (DORA) Era of the Great War Defence of the Realm Act (DORA)

Defence of the Realm Act In today’s class I am learning to: Describe rules and laws which were introduced as part of DORA Explain why some people were unhappy with these new laws

Defence of the Realm Act After Britain joined the Great War, the government passed a law to give them powers over various issues. This was the Defence of the Realm Act.

Defence of the Realm Act The purpose of the Defence of the Realm Act (DORA) was to give the British government control of all issues they felt were needed to help win the war. As the war progressed, the government added other rules to DORA.

Defence of the Realm Act There were various punishments which people could get if they broke any DORA rules. Depending on the issue, a guilty person could be given a fine, sent to prison or even executed (11 foreign spies were killed under DORA).

Defence of the Realm Act DORA rules

Defence of the Realm Act DORA banned people from discussing military issues when they were in public places. It was also illegal to spread rumours about military issues. Newspapers were censored in what they were allowed to write about the war.

Defence of the Realm Act Private letters were also influenced by DORA. Anyone who was sending a letter abroad was forbidden from using invisible ink. Military censors also read soldiers’ letters to ensure no secrets were being passed on.

Defence of the Realm Act Under DORA people could no longer go where they wanted. They were forbidden from trespassing or loitering near bridges or tunnels. Some people also faced a curfew in certain parts of the country.

Defence of the Realm Act One DORA rule which is still used in Britain is British Summer Time. In May 1916 DORA was used to let the government change the time, in order to give people as many daylight hours as possible in which to work.

Defence of the Realm Act There were some strange rules imposed. Kite flying, bonfire lighting and ringing church bells were banned, to stop zeppelins being attracted. The sale of binoculars was also no longer allowed.

Defence of the Realm Act A number of DORA rules affected people that drank alcohol. Pubs had to reduce their opening hours, and beer was watered down to make it weaker. Customers in pubs were also not allowed to buy rounds of drinks.

Defence of the Realm Act Aliens (foreign people) living in Britain were also affected by DORA. People from ‘enemy countries’ were expected to register living in Britain, and they were limited in the times of day they were allowed to leave their homes.

Defence of the Realm Act DISCUSSION Which DORA laws were correct?

Defence of the Realm Act Criticisms of DORA

Defence of the Realm Act Many people opposed the introduction of DORA. This was sometimes because they believed it gave the government too much power. Others were simply angry at an aspect of their lives being affected.

Defence of the Realm Act People with anti-war views were angry that they were not allowed to share these in public, stopping them getting more supporters. Scottish teacher John Maclean was sent to prison for his anti-war speeches.

Defence of the Realm Act Some people worried that DORA rules would not end once the war was over. These people feared that if the government had the power to restrict and control people they would not want to give this up.

Defence of the Realm Act Criticism was aimed at DORA because it limited people taking part in otherwise legal activities. People who enjoyed kite flying or bell ringing did not believe that their actions would actually stop Britain from winning the war.

Defence of the Realm Act Some people feared that DORA was limiting people’s free time. They were angry at having to drink weaker beer, not being allowed to go to the pub when they wanted, or not being able to buy their friends a drink.

Defence of the Realm Act There was also concern about people not being able to share private information. A soldier husband writing home to his wife knew that someone was going to read what he wrote, limiting what people would say.

Defence of the Realm Act Censoring newspapers – and stopping rumours about military matters - also caused concerns. This meant people were never sure if they were being given the truth, so did not know how Britain was doing in the war, or if it faced defeat.

Defence of the Realm Act DISCUSSION Should DORA have been introduced?