World War 1 had significant impacts on civilians in Britain. The British government instituted censorship of letters from soldiers and newspapers to maintain morale on the home front. Initial volunteer recruitment was strong but declined, forcing the introduction of conscription in 1916. Shortages of food due to blockades led to the introduction of rationing of key items in Britain in 1917 and 1918 to try to make limited supplies last.

1. How were civilians
affected by World War 1?
Aim: To revise key details
about the British Home
Front during the First World
War
http://www.mrallsophistory.com/powerpoint/ww1.ppt

2. • Britain enters an European
war
• Germany invades Belgium
that was supposed not to be
invaded .
• Britain declares war on
Germany.

3. Queen
Victoria
Grandsons
George V
Nicholas II
Kaiser
William II
British
King
Russian
King
German
King

4. August 1914
• There was a great
enthusiasm over all europe
(from both sides).
• They thought they would
be victorious and that the
war would be over by
Christmas.

5. Britain:
Censorship:
• soldier´s letters
• Newspapers
• Photographs of dead or injured
soldiers.
• Reports aimed to:
– Maintain morale
– Encourage civilians to support the
war effort
– Create hatred and suspicion of the
enemy

6. Recruitment
• Initial recruitment
used posters,
leaflets, etc. to
build an army
quickly
• What is the
message of this
poster?
• How would this
poster encourage
men to join the
army?

8. Recruitment
0
100
200
300
400
500
Recruits(thousands)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Month
Recruitment of volunteers to the army, 1914-15
1914
1915

9. • Voluntary recruitment was
decreasing, but the demand for
troops was increasing
• Voluntary recruitment didn’t
share the burden between all
parts of society
• Conscription introduced in 1916
• All men aged 18-40 had to
register
• They could be called up to fight
at any time

10. • Battleships were so precious that
admirals didn´t risk them at battle.
• British blockade german ports to prevent
food and other supplies from being
imported.
• Germany was short on food in 1918. In
reply, they sent submarines to sink
britain merchant ships.
• Britain bought food from neutral
countries.

11. Rationing
• In April 1917, German U-Boats
were sinking one in every four
British merchant ships
• Britain was running out of food

12. Rationing
• In 1917 voluntary rationing
began, led by the royal
family
• In 1918 compulsory
rationing began
– Sugar
– Butter
– Meat
– Beer

13. The Brown Family’s Four War
Christmas
• What is happening in each
frame?
• Explain why these things
are happening, based on
what you know about life
on the Home Front