The Effects of the Blitz on Everyday Life in Britain
For the first time in modern days war had literally come home. All
over cites in Europe, as the Nazis advanced, the Luftwaffe spread its
wings and flew only ever intending to cause terror on the land below.
France was taken, now even the far edges of Britain were in reach of
the German bombers. No one was safe, so the government warned people
in cities and implemented certain regulations to make people as safe
as possible and reduce the chance of getting bombed by the Luftwaffe.
Britain was prepared for the worst. But no one was prepared for the
full and devastating effects of The Blitz.
From the beginning of the war a regulation that was imposed across
cities throughout the UK, was The Blackout that was part of the ARP
regulations, which intended to hinder the German bombers in the air.
Houses, businesses and all buildings had to cover their windows so as
to not allow any light to be shown. This caused claustrophobia in the
dark homes but a far worst problem was the fact that there were no
lights in open areas. So there were no streetlights, no crossing
lights and all vehicles travelled with one dimmed light, which was
facing downward. Due to all these safety precautions there was a large
number of people who sustained broken bones from mishaps in the dark
as well as many people who had major injuries caused by serious
traffic accidents. Although once the Germans started using incendiary
bombs The Blackout became far less effective.
The Blitz did not only lower the morale of the British people by
destroying their homes, flattening their streets and separating
families but the effects of the bombing caused major disruption to
everyday life. Civilians who returned to the surface, from the air
raid shelters and underground, after the nightly bombings found heaps
of rubble from the buildings that were hit and smoke which rised from
the fires that burnt through the city. People carried on their daily
Why the Major Cities of Britain were Bombed by the Germans in 1940 and 1941
World War Two, like other great wars, impacted the lives of many people, and although widely remembered in a negative light, World War Two changed the social attitudes of the majority. Especially in the Borough of Bexley.
[4] From the memoirs of J.B Gent a Child in the war who lived on
Ways the British Government Attempted to Hide the Effects of the Blitz from the People of Britain
Before World War II, Britain was strictly divided into classes: the upper class, the middle class, and the lower working class. Once born into a class, it was almost impossible to leave; people were bound to classes for life. The structure was stern and rigid. George Orwell even called England (and by extension Britain) “the most class-ridden country under the sun.” Classes tolerated each other, but the “upper and middle class people were brought up to believe the lower classes dirty and inferior,” creating an environment of stark inequality (The Class System). The small upper class held the majority of the wealth and employed much of the large lower class as servants, paying them menial wages. The middle class, who consisted of doctors, shopkeepers, lawyers, and people in similar professions, remained sandwiched in the center. On September 7, 1940 the blitz began and bombs started to rain down on London. However, the force of the bombs did little to blast away the walls that separated and distinguished the classes.
Throughout the intense bombing of the Blitz you could argue that the idea of Britain being invaded and conquered brought out the ‘grit’ and resolve in the British people that helped to destroy social boundaries, bring people together in a united front and inevitably win World War II. Or you could also argue that, the fear, panic and unrest created by the Blitz managed only to divide a country already separated by class, gender and social barriers, therefore increasing existing tensions and creating new problems; that the government could only control by forcing censorship and propaganda to manipulate the frightened and overwhelmed people of Britain. One thing is clear, that most evidence (including the Sources given) shows proof of an understandably terrified Britain during times of devastation and destruction.
During the blitz, the government wanted to try and keep the morale and ‘blitz spirit’ because this was what Hitler was determined to destroy Britain. The government found a way to control the news of getting out by using the Ministry Of Information; also known as the M.OI. Their job was to check the radio, newspapers, and reports that went out to the public. The M.O.I was very good at this job, succeeding in their daily ...
they knew that some good would come out of it at the end of the war.
The Reasons Why the Major Cities of Britain Were Bombed by the Germans in 1940-1
Salden, Chris. “Wartime Holidays and the ‘Myth of the Blitz’.” Cultural History 2, no. 2 (May 2005).
The Effect of the Blitz on Everday Life During World War Two The effect of the blitz on everyday life was enormous. From rationing of essential food to evacuation of thousands of city children during the Second World War was extraordinary. Throughout the war women were the ones that did everything to make sure the men could concentrate on winning the war. They did everything from working at night while looking after the children in the day, cooking for the family while coping with rations, coping with the bombs and not knowing if their husbands would come back alive. Also conscription of women began in December 1941.
The British Faced the Blitz with Courage and Unity is a Myth Use the sources, and your own knowledge. To explain whether you agree with this statement. In this question I am asked if I agree or disagree with the statement 'The impression that the British faced the blitz with courage and unity is a myth' by using the sources and my own knowledge. I disagree with this statement to a certain extent because there is many useful sources telling me how well the British people worked together as a nation against Germany.
time you heard the siren go off you had to stop what you were doing
World War II had a large effect on America, on how we were regarded in the world, on how our culture would grow and develop, and on how our citizens would develop and settle the land on their return. It brought people together for a while that were later torn apart, and changed the way Americans looked at higher education. Perhaps most importantly, it brought America to the world and served it up to them as something that could grow and become part of their culture, call it the Coca-Colonization of the world (Marling).
Gascoigne, Bamber. "World War II - The Blitz." History World. (2001): n. page. Web. 29 Sep. 2011. .