Introduction to the unit

The Impact of War on Britain c1914-c1950

What do you know about the world wars?

1914

1915

1918

1939

1945

Zeppelins

Blitz

Coventry

Censorship

Propaganda

1916

Haig

1940 - 1941

In your groups consider how the outbreak of war changes;

•The role of the Government

•The use of media

•Entertainment and Leisure

•Industry

•Now have a go at explaining what; Propaganda and Censorship means, and what is a Zeppelin?

Propaganda is limited, often one sided information that is spread to persuade people to support certain ideas or policies. It was used by British Governments during both wars to win support for the war efforts and turn people against the Germans. In the early years of the First World War propaganda was used to persuade men to volunteer for the armed forces. During the Second World War it was used to raise morale, especially after German air raids.

Air raids – During the First World War, British civilians were the target of attacks from the air for the first time, with the Germans using bomber plane and air ships called Zeppelins. The threat to the public was far more serious during the Blitz of 1940-194, when the Germans tried unsuccessfully, to destroy civilian morale by Bombing major towns and cities.

Censorship – Censorship is a control by a government of the spread of all Information- such as information contained in the media, personal letters Films and newspapers that might be useful to the enemy or that might upset the morale of the public if it became general knowledge. During the First World War soldiers letters home were censored in case they upset the soldiers’ loved ones. During the Second World War radio broadcasts, newspapers and films were all under the control of the Ministry of Information.