1. “Their Finest Hour”: Britain and World War 2

5. Explaining appeasement Realist politics Was GER a “rational actor”? British public opinion re. war PM Neville Chamberlain, a popular hero upon returning form Berlin. The British public wanted peace.

6. World War 2 Emergency Powers Act, Sept. ‘39 “The Phony War” GER into Scandinavia, Apr. 1940 Dunkirk, 26 May – 4 June 1940 The Battle of Britain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcPFNSkGZx4

7. The war economy Return of war cabinet Civilian conscription, 20% Women and the war – 1941: registration between 19 and 30 Rationing and new gov’t roles – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t60fPQoSmIk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t60fPQoSmIk Lend-Lease Act, Mar. ‘41 A ration-book from 1941

8. The General Election of 1945 Clement Atlee, Labour PM Social consequences of “wartime welfare” – Reduction in class barriers – Employment and social “leveling” – Shift in public’s expectations of the state – Beveridge Report, 1942 – 1944 Education Act Conservatives’ prewar burdens Mary Everitt in 1942, age 11