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

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

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

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

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, etcThe 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 habitsChanges 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 1918As a recognition of their war effort women over the age of 30 were given the right to vote in 1918

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

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

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

Politics In May 1915 the Liberal Prime Minister Asquith created a coalition of the three major political partiesIn 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 frontsThis 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 warIn 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 warLloyd George became the new Prime Minister and remained so until the end of the war