The British Home Front

Like Germany, England did not realize the full extent of the war they were about to embark upon. The small British Army required millions of men if it was to make a contribution during the war, and many immediately joined. The induction of so many men left huge holes in the labor force that would require drastic measures to replace.

One of the first acts of the war was to pass the Defense of the Realm Act (DORA). The Act gave the government almost unlimited powers to do what was necessary to win the war. If necessary the Act allowed land to be seized from individuals, censorship of newspapers (the government could control what was in or out of newspapers), or even arrest people without just causes.

The Act even forced beer manufactures to water down their products to limit time lost at work due to drunkenness. It became illegal to buy a round of drinks in a bar and forced pubs to close down during the afternoon so men would not skip work.

Food Shortages

England was placed under a system of food rationing much like Germany. Unlike Germany, England did have access to her overseas colonies to bring in more food. The best food still went to the men in the frontlines which limited the type and amount of food civilians had. Most people prepared meatless recipes for the bulk of the war.

When the German Navy began it's unrestricted submarine warfare, the arrival of food was threatened. Both nations engaged in the attempt to starve each other into surrendering. This new economic warfare meant that civilians became targets, not just soldiers, suffered under total war.

Problems in the Factories

Britain geared up her industries for war, as did the Germans. England did not suffer a shortage of raw material though. The British Empire became a major supplier of all the required materials, although these supplies could be sunk while being shipped to England.

The same labor shortages were faced in England as they were in Germany as well. The solution utilized in England was somewhat different. Instead of forcing the young and old into the factories, women were used to replace the men that had gone off to fight. This posed several problems for the very traditional and proper English society and role women played.

Women only held minor jobs before the Great War. They could be maids or cooks, but were limited beyond these roles. As a result of the war, they took on most of the traditional jobs held by men. Women began delivering the mail and coal, driving buses, ploughing fields, and making explosives. Many changes occurred for women that allowed them access to different jobs, better pay and more freedom within English society. The men returning from the frontlines after the war were shocked by many of these changes.

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"Madelon" Song