![]() ![]() This French poster advertises the sale of war bonds, to help fund the war effort Rationing was introduced and food queues became the norm.įood became so valuable that it became a criminal offence to feed stale bread to animals or to throw rice at weddings. Westminster seized control of unused land for farming, including parks, commons and disused blocks. Munitions aside, the other pressing demand was for food, both for the military and the civilian population. The government also formed departments to coordinate other areas of the economy, including food, labour and maritime transport. Britain’s production of shells increased by more than 1000 per cent. Construction of a massive factory capable of producing 800 tons of cordite a day was ordered, while other factories were nationalised and retooled for the production of artillery shells. Government control of the economy increased dramatically in 1915, in the wake of the ‘Shell Crisis’, a shortage of artillery shells that contributed to British military failures on the Western Front.Ī new portfolio was created (the Ministry of Munitions), headed by future prime minister David Lloyd George. Under the Defence of the Realm Act, the government could requisition any land or building deemed necessary for the war effort. Britain’s wartime economy A cartoon depicting the surge in British artillery shell production in 1916īritain’s economy was also shifted to a total war footing. Night-time lighting in streets was restricted and it was illegal to light bonfires or fly kites. Alcohol consumption was restricted, opening hours of pubs were cut back and beer was watered down. Daylight saving was introduced to allow more working hours in the day. Government agencies and the military were authorised to prevent the publication of offensive or dangerous material in newspapers and books to open and censor civilian mail to tap into telegraph and telephone communications.Īs the war progressed, new restrictions were added to the legislation. London appointed ‘official’ military journalists and set up the War Office Press Bureau, an agency that processed stories and distributed them to newspapers (few civilian reporters were ever let near the front lines). Press censorshipĬontrol of the press and communication media was particularly stringent. #Total war definition trialWestminster was also given the power to imprison suspected enemy agents without trial and court-martial and execute civilians. Under Defence of the Realm provisions, the British government was permitted to use censorship, both in the press and on private correspondence. ![]() It also gave it sweeping powers to secure Britain from internal threat or invasion. This legislation authorised the government to mobilise for war. An island nation within reach of German aircraft and boats, Britain feared the prospect of infiltration – or worse, invasion – by the enemy.Ī week after the declaration of war, the Westminster passed the Defence of the Realm Act. Several major powers initiated a system of total war almost from the outset. They also raised war loans and made extensive use of propaganda. Wartime governments also acted to protect national security by implementing press censorship, curfews and strict punishments for breaches and violations. Resources like ships, trains or vehicles were commandeered for military purposes. Ministers and departments took control of economic production, nationalising factories, determining production targets, allocating manpower and resources.Ĭonscription was introduced to bolster military forces. Governments played an active and interventionist role, passing laws and implementing policies that would be considered intolerable during peacetime. In ‘total war’, a term not coined until the 1930s by German general Erich Ludendorff, the entire nation was called into the service of warfare, rather than just its military. 7 France’s war economy Nations called to service ![]()
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