How did the war change Britain?

Political effects of the War Arguments over how to conduct the war effort split the Liberal Party in two - weakened Arguments over whether to support the war divided the Labour party but, overall, it gained respectability from its contribution to war effort The Conservatives’ core values of patriotism and imperialism made it easier for them to accept the need for “war socialism” - strengthened During the war, Irish politics polarised

Irish politics The Irish Nationalists lost out to Sinn Fein, the party of Irish independence Go to bbc.co.uk/history/british/britain- wwone/ireland-wwone to find out why In 1918, Sinn Fein won 73 out of the 108 Irish seats at Westminster but refused to sit in the UK parliament.

Politicians out; politicians in Asquith had to resign as PM in 1916 Lloyd George became PM in 1916 Bonar Law gave LG his full support The Labour leader Ramsay MacDonald resigned But Arthur Henderson was the first ever Labour cabinet minister

Policy of “war socialism” The state took many new powers in the interests of winning the war Defence of the Realm Act (rule by decree) Conscription Ministry of Munitions Dilution agreements in industry Restrictions on people’s freedoms

How was the economy affected? One economist estimated that the war cost Britain £4m per day! Government spending in 1913 = £200m Government spending in 1918 = £2,600m Also trade was affected; the cost of imports increased and Britain could export less. Government debt and loss of trade affected post-war Britain badly

How did the government pay for the war? Borrowed from the USA Borrowed from the British – look at the posters advertising war bonds at: Increased income tax from 5p to 30p in the £

How far did the war change the roles of men and women? Men served as soldiers, but their peacetime jobs were guaranteed The number of working women increased but more significant was the shift to different types of work And, women were expected to give up their jobs after the war Go to bbc.co.uk/history/british/britain- wwone/women_employment

How far did people become more equal? More questioning? Domestic service declined for ever Overall the classes became more respectful of each other Divisions within the working class broke down the most There was a big gulf still between the working and middle/upper classes Church attendance went down The idea of votes for women became acceptable Working men who had suffered as soldiers demanded a bigger share in Britain’s prosperity

The biggest long-term effects? The national debt Declining trade Trade Union unrest Widows, children and wounded soldiers needed state support Decline of the Liberals; from now on it was Cons v Labour Civil war in Ireland Contributed to long-term process of social and gender equality