Major impacts of World War I on the British society

Although it ended over a lifetime ago, the First World War is still present in the memory of today’s British society. It was the massive, and in the British national experience, unprecedented number of casualties that made it “The Great War” in the perception of the British public. To face the challenge of total war both political practice and economy had to be transformed radically and, in a dramatically short period of time, hundreds of thousands of men had to be raised for the military forces. The whole society endured a heavy burden and was profoundly changed during the wartime.
This essay investigates the major impacts of the First World War on the British society. Therefore, after describing the upcoming nationalism and a promoting class consciousness, both caused by the war, the examination focuses on the impact of the war on everyday life. Finally, the impact of the war on the British political culture is described.

II. Heightened Nationalism and Class Consciousness
Although the conflicts with some of her European colonial rivals in the late 19th century and the early 20th century led to an increasing effort in improving the logistic and training of Britain’s military, resulting, for example, in the creation of the Committee of Imperial Defence (1902), the General Staff (1904) and the Officers’ Training Corps , the military force Britain could raise at the beginning of World War I was, compared to the major continental powers France and Germany, relatively small. At the outbreak of war in August 1914, the British army had a regimental strength of less than a quarter of a million men. With regard to the high number of casualties the first severe battles in France claimed, the British government soon called for a much larger army. The Minister of War, Lord Kitchener, demanded a whole New Army and in response to his famous exhortation “Your country needs YOU” over a million men had volunteered by Christmas 1914. By the end of the war in 1918, 5.2 million men had served in the army, over half of them as volunteers. Most of this mass army consisted of soldiers coming from the working class. The reasons for the thousands of workingmen joining the military forces were manifold: many saw in their service a chance to get away from the dull and hard working-life or to escape unemployment; some expected to see other countries and to come home as heroes. But one of the most influential reasons seems to have been the workers’ fundamental loy

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• I. Introduction
• II. Heightened Nationalism and Class Consciousness
• III. Impact on Everyday Life
• IV. Impact on Political Culture

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay explores the major impacts of World War I on British society, specifically focusing on its influence on nationalism, class consciousness, daily life, and political culture. It examines how the war transformed British society, highlighting the societal changes that took place during this period.

• Heightened nationalism and class consciousness fueled by the war effort.
• The war's impact on the daily lives of Britons, particularly its effect on working-class standards of living and women's employment.
• The war's influence on British political culture, including the rise of a more interventionist state and the formation of a coalition government.
• The mobilization of British society and its impact on social norms and attitudes.
• The lasting legacies of the war on British society, including the emergence of new social and political movements.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

I. Introduction

This introductory chapter sets the stage for the essay by highlighting the enduring presence of World War I in British society. It emphasizes the unprecedented scale of casualties and the profound societal transformations that the war brought about. The chapter introduces the key themes that will be explored throughout the essay, including the rise of nationalism, class consciousness, and the impact on everyday life and political culture.

II. Heightened Nationalism and Class Consciousness

This chapter examines the surge in nationalism and class consciousness during World War I. It analyzes the initial reluctance of the British government to commit to a large-scale war effort and the subsequent mobilization of a vast volunteer army. It explores the motivations behind the working class's participation in the war, including a sense of duty to "King and Country" and a desire to escape the hardships of civilian life. The chapter also discusses the shift in class relations during the war, with the working class's wartime sacrifices fueling a sense of entitlement and a demand for social change.

III. Impact on Everyday Life

This chapter explores the war's impact on the daily lives of Britons. It analyzes the economic consequences of the war, including the rise in the cost of living and the emergence of new employment opportunities for women. The chapter also examines the wartime social reforms, such as the introduction of infant welfare centers and schools for mothers. It highlights the transformative experiences of women during the war, particularly the increased independence they gained during a period of male absence.

IV. Impact on Political Culture

This chapter delves into the war's influence on British political culture. It contrasts the relatively limited role of the state in British society prior to the war with the expansion of government intervention during the war. The chapter analyzes the formation of a coalition government in 1915, highlighting the suspension of traditional party politics during a time of national crisis. It also examines the war's impact on the public's expectations of the state, leading to a growing sense of entitlement and a demand for social welfare.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The main focus of this essay is on the impact of World War I on British society, with an emphasis on the evolution of nationalism, class consciousness, everyday life, and political culture during this pivotal period. Key terms include: nationalism, class consciousness, war effort, social change, mobilization, working class, women's employment, government intervention, coalition government, and social welfare.

Details

• College: University of Birmingham
• Grade: 1,7
• Author: Oliver Christl (Author)
• Publication Year: 2005
• Pages: 9
• Catalog Number: V131983
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640417995
• ISBN (Book): 9783640418442
• Language: English
• Tags: Major World British