The Effect of World War I on Social and Economic Life in Britain

The Effect of World War I on Social and Economic Life in Britain

The First World War changed a lot of things social and economically

for Britain. These changes consisted of the diminishing international

trade, the woman’s role, and changes in political issues and different

attitudes to the war. I will show how far Britain’s economic and

social state changed due to the war, causing negative and positive

changes.

Britain’s international export trade was a problem for Britain as

during the war Staple industries relied heavily on exporting; they

also relied on old markets such as Russia, the Far East and elsewhere

which were closed to them because of the war. Also former customers

who where in need of coal, textiles and steel turned to other new

suppliers such as America and Japan. The contraction of trades during

the war helped reduce the income Britain traditionally derived from

shipping, which caused inter-war unemployment. Yet there were still

advantages stemming from the war. The productivity of the British

industry increased rapidly owing to state-sponsored mechanisation.

Also there seemed to be a better standard of the engineering products

as well as electric power being used more, because of all the factory

work. The distortion of the economy also helped to stimulate

industries such as engineering, chemicals, shipbuilding, coal, iron

and steel, which had a direct relevance to the armed forces. However

textiles did not have much relevance during the war and slowly lost

value. Another positive impact due to the war was that after the war

there was a post-war boom in the years 1918-1920. Investment and the

demand for goods we...

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...War’ for Britain. It cost them millions of pounds, a great

amount of lives were lost and wasted, and gold reserves were shattered

in wartime trading. The war also changed the way in which many people

lived and entitled people to many rights, these were mainly for the

women of the time. Many things did change due to the war either for

better or worse, many things had to change for a chance of success.

Britain engaged its resources sensibly but was still stretched to find

enough of everything to win. Women played a major role in the war

effort and their help back home was just as important as those on the

front line. Clearly 1914-1918 saw momentous economic changes. The

economy was radically reoriented for the efficient prosecution of the

war: there could, therefore, be no easy or quick return to satisfy

peacetime needs.