Rationing was introduced in Britain during World War 1 for three main reasons: 1) The German naval blockade cut off Britain's food imports, leading to shortages. 2) Food prices skyrocketed due to the blockade, causing public anger over the rising costs of staples. 3) The demands of the war effort at home and abroad strained food supplies, as many farmers joined the fight and had to be replaced by women workers.

1. National 5 History:
Era of the Great War
Rationing in World War One

2. Today’s lesson
We are consolidating our knowledge and understanding of
the impact of rationing in World War One.
By the end of today’s lesson I should be able to:
1) Describe the steps taken to improve food supplies to Britain
during the war.
2) Explain why rationing was introduced during the war.
Today’s lesson involves:
Note taking
Propaganda poster task
Planning a National 5 level answer

3. What is Rationing?
Rationing is the controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods,
services, or an artificial restriction of demand. It often involves the food
that a person receives.
Rationing was introduced by the British Government to stop British
food running out during the war.
It was introduced in 1917, the first product to be rationed was Sugar.
This was followed by meat, flour, butter and milk.

4. Why was rationing introduced?
In your jotter create a new mind-map in your jotter with the question:
‘Why was rationing introduced?’ and take notes as we go through the
slides.
Remember do not copy the notes just take brief notes on each topic.

5. German naval blockade
One of the key reasons why rationing was
introduced was due to the German naval
blockade. This was one of the key military
tactics used by Germany in the war, they hoped
to starve Britain by cutting off their resources to
force the countries surrender.
Numerous Scottish merchant ships were sunk
by the U-Boats this included ships such as the St
Margaret (in 1917) and the St Magnus (sunk in
1918).
The impact of the German naval blockade was
that less food that was available in Britain hence
why the Government had to introduce certain
measures before rationing.

6. Food prices
The German naval blockade caused food prices to skyrocket.
Between 1914 to 1917 the following price changes happened:
• Cheese and egg prices increased by 45%.
• Potatoes doubled in price.
• Milk and sugar prices increased by 25%.
The impact of this was that people started panic-buying which
increased the shortage and many people were angry at the increases in
prices.
How would you feel about
this price increases?
Could you cope without
these food groups?

7. Public anger to increasing food prices.
• The Scottish public were angry at price increases and food shortages
which occurred due to the naval blockades.
• In Glasgow in 1917 around 2000 women took part in a protest march
against the shortage of potatoes. However it must be noted that
some used this march as a protest against the war.
• Some people came up with new ways of making food such as using
turnips to make bread. The Government also introduced new recipe
suggestions such as using potatoes to make cakes, buns and scones.
• The impact of this was that people started to turn against the
Government and the Government’s policies needed high levels of
public support. Would you have
joined these
protests?

8. Impact of the Western Front
One problem that the Government faced was that they had to feed people at
home and the soldiers on the Western Front.
They had to make sure they had adequate food supplies so they had to work
on ways to improve food supplies and stop wastage.
One of the ways that the Government sought to stop wastage was
introducing a law through DORA which banned people from feed wild
animals with food objects such as stale bread.
The need for new soldiers also led to a vast decrease in the amount of male
farm workers available.
The impact of this was that women had to take up the farming jobs to
ensure that the country did not run out of food with 22,000 women worked
in farming in 1914.

9. Propaganda Campaigns
• The Government set up a propaganda campaign to try and improve
the country’s food supplies.
• Certain groups such as the Scottish Women’s Land Army used
newspaper adverts to recruit women, including in publications such
as the Inverness Courier.
• Rationing was introduced alongside these campaigns.
What do you think the impact of Propaganda was? – Write a short
answer in your jotter.

10. Task 1 – Propaganda poster task
Look at the following three propaganda posters and add the following information to your
propaganda section of your mind-map.
1) What is the message of the poster?
2) Why do you think the Government is pushing this message?

11. Impact of Rationing: Allotments
The Government ordered new allotments to be set up in towns and
cities across Scotland, many of which are still used today.
In Glasgow examples include allotments in Merrylee, Queen’s Park and
Springburn.
Often public parkland was used to set up the allotments which proved
unpopular with some residents. For example, Inverkeith allotments in
Edinburgh used land from Inverleith park which faced strong public
opposition.
The impact of this was that food could now be grown at home but
there was public objections to the program.

12. The Introduction of Rationing
Take a separate section from your mind map and write down the following
heading.
• In 1917, the Government introduced rationing to help their food supply
crisis. One of the many reasons why this was introduced was to make sure
people got enough food to stop them being ill.
• A Ration book was introduced to show how much of each product a person
was allowed/had already received. Breaking the rules of rationing could
lead to getting a fine or going to prison.
• Despite the Government’s best efforts an illegal black market on food
supplies started across the country.
• Rationing was successful as Britain’s food supplies stabled in comparison to
the food supply crises which were happening in Germany and Russia.

13. Ration book
Below is a ration
book belonging
to an Edinburgh
women known
as Harriet
Mackay. What
do you think the
ration book is
informing it’s
owner about?

14. Exam Question
Explain the reasons why rationing was introduced during the Great War
– 6 Marks