Dig on for Victory poster - Artist : Peter Fraser (INF 3/96)
Britain started to prepare for the Second World War at least a year before it actually started.
In 1938, the government began to build new warships and increase its armaments. However, this war would not just involve soldiers. The government expected the war to disrupt and threaten the lives of civilians left at home. This happened in a variety of different ways, from cutting down railings to be melted down and used in munitions factories, to rationing and evacuation plans.
Between 1938 and 1939, the government thought of all the possible dangers and difficulties the Home Front would face during war, and started to take precautions. People were needed on the home front to help with all sorts of things. They were encouraged to plant vegetables on any spare land they had to suppliment the rationing, but people were also recruited into a variety of essential positions such as Air Raid Wardens and the Home Guard. People were also encouraged to think about their safety, and the government spent a great deal of time educating people on what to do in situations such as an Air Raid, or a Gas Attack, as well as providing information on how to make rations stretch further and how to keep yourself healthy.
Look at Source 1
1. This is one of a series of posters designed to encourage people to grow their own food:
Why did the government want the Home Front to ‘Dig for Plenty’?
If the Home Front had not organised growing more of its own food, what would have happened?
Would a poster showing what would happen if people did not start to ‘dig’ have been more or less effective? Explain your answer.
Read Source 2
2. This is a government poster about evacuation:
Who is the ghostly figure whispering ‘Take them back!’?
Where is he pointing?
What does he want the mother to do and why?
Why might this mother be tempted to ‘Take them back’?
Why were civilians evacuated during the Second World War?
Look at Sources 3 a, b & c
3. These were leaflets produced during the war:
Look at Source 4
4. This poster shows a woman slapping Hitler in the face.
Look at Sources 5 a & b
5. These are wartime warning posters.
Read Source 6
6. This is a telephone conversation between Mr Cleave and Captain Denaro a mine laying specialist in 1940.
Why were mines placed on the beaches?
What is Mr. Cleave complaining about?
According to Mr. Cleave, was placing mines on the beach an effective way of protecting Britain?
Do you think Mr. Cleave was being unreasonable?
What does this source tell us about the power the government had over people’s lives during the Second World War?
Look at Source 7
7. This picture shows Hitler balancing on a telephone line.
Evacuation
Evacuation plans had been in preparation well before the outbreak of war. Small scale evacuation of women and children were carried out in September 1938 but the real evacuation began in September 1939. The Government had planned to evacuate about 3 million people but in the end only 1 million left home. A few hours after the war was declared on the 3 September 1939, almost all of them had been evacuated from the danger areas to the reception areas.
Air Raids
The biggest danger came from air raids. Air raids meant both danger and disruption. 60,595 civilians died as a result of enemy action in the UK. Homes, work places and public buildings were destroyed. Streets were subject to the "Blackout" - lighting restrictions - and the ban on street lighting caused a huge rise in car accidents. Volunteers were needed to be trained in civil defence duties. These included fire-fighting, first aid and ambulance driving.
Civilians were instructed in how to protect themselves against poison gas attacks and issued with gas masks, which they were encouraged to carry on all journeys. Fortunately, poison gas was never used as a weapon in Britain. They were also given materials to build air raid shelters in the backyards. Strong buildings were also prepared for use as air raid shelters.
Workers
The working lives of most of the adult population changed with the outbreak of war. To fight the war men aged between 18 and 41 were needed in the navy and army. This would take them away from their jobs in factories and farms. To fill the shortage, women were recruited for jobs previously done by men. Women worked in the factories, constructing weapons and many others joined the Land Army to work on farms.
Rationing
Much of the food, clothes, and fuel which Britain needed came from abroad. The war disrupted and prevented these supplies from arriving. This meant shortages of the essentials to keep life going. In 1941, rationing was introduced in Britain. The Ration Book became indispensable for every man, woman and child, ensuring a fair distribution of what meager essentials were available. The Government also tried to encourage people to grow food on every available piece of land.
Invasion
Another danger was from invasion. When in 1940 the Channel Isle fell into German hands and it looked as though the RAF was loosing the Battle of Britain, the Government called on volunteers to join the Home Guard - Dad’s Army - to help defend Britain from attack.
Evacuation to Canada in World War TwoAdolf HitlerWhat was it like to be an Airman in World War II?
(2295.18kb)KS 2: The Second World War: PropagandaThis lesson asks pupils to develop their understanding of the war on the Home Front from their basic understanding. Through primary source analysis it examines how those involved on the Home Front were encouraged to deal with the war and the problems that shortages and uncertenty created. Pupils investigate the organisation and bureaucracy behind the ARP system, before looking at details of how individuals were advised to take precautions. This lesson helps pupils understand the attitude to the war on the Home Front, as well as developing their ability to use source evidence to question and challenge existing beliefs.
This lesson can form part of studies for Key Stage 1&2 Scheme of Work Unit 9 and Key Stage 3 Scheme of Work Unit 18. In addition, it offers coverage of National Curriculum requirements for History in England, relating to general requirements of knowledge and understanding of events, people and changes in the past, together with breadth of study requirements to study significant events and developments from across the twentieth century. Similarly there are clear links to citizenship and PSHE issues that can be explored further with teacher development.
Sources
Illustration : INF 3/96 - Dig on for Victory Poster
Source 1 : INF 3/98 - Dig for Plenty Poster
Source 2 : INF 13/171 - Don't Do It Mother Poster
Source 3 A, B & C : HO 186/2247 - Gas Raid Quiz and Gas Mask Leaflets
Source 4 : INF 3/400 - Just a Good Afternoons Work poster
Source 5 A : HO 186/2247 - ARP Notice
Source 5 B : ZPER 34 - Air Raid house picture from the Illustrated London News, 1938
Source 6 : WO 199/94 - Conversation between Mr Celave & Capt. Denaro regarding beach mines
Source 7 : INF 3/232 - Be Careful what you say poster
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