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.
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?
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
