The Effect of World War I on British People at Home

The Effect of World War I on British People at Home

Throughout the First World War people’s lives back home in Britain

were greatly affected. Britain’s Army relied upon an entirely

voluntary service and with many joining up the loss of male members to

the community greatly affected everyone’s lives.

With the men gone, many jobs were left open and for the first time

women were allowed some independence as they took over the jobs and

became the breadwinners of the household.

The initial impact of the war was felt by everyone; the loss of life

and materials; conscription; the changing roles of women; authors;

poets and even politicians changed view during the war.

The replacement of the Liberal party leader, Prime Minister Herbert

Henry Asquith by Lloyd George the former Minister of Munitions,

affected the political views of the other parties and people all over

the country and reflected political change within society.

Some historians have agreed that the war led to abandoning basic

principles of the Liberal party, Free Trade and Voluntary Military

service among them.

This change damaged the people’s opinions of the Prime Minister,

causing a split resulting in David Lloyd George’s appointment as Prime

Minister.

The First World War also greatly affected beliefs and attitudes

towards the church and women’s roles, peoples lives were affected in

many different ways..

The experience of war fundamentally and completely impacted upon

people’s lives, after seeing friend or family suffering or dying

people started to question God and overall religion creating a decline

in church going numbers.

Many women abandoned...

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Britain had created a massive debt in the face of war of around 7,809

million pounds and people in Britain were greatly affected by this as

the government was forced to raise taxes in order to pay the debt

back.

The war had made technology advances such as silent films possible and

led to better medical care and advancements.

By looking at the shadows left behind by the previous generation can

we see the overall impact that the war had inflicted on people and

differently to the historians at the time. We are able to see both the

long term affects and the short term.

World War One had a gigantic impact on peoples lives all over the

world include those at home in Britain, many people’s lives changed

beyond recognition, both the good and bad things that happened helped

make our country what it is today.