Lesson: Britain During WW1 World War I, also known as the Great War, started in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria."The time has come for combined effort to stimulate and organize public opinion and public effort in the greatest conflict in which our people has [sic] ever been engaged...No one who can contribute anything to the accomplishment of this supremely urgent task is justified in standing aside." Mobilization of Forces Great Britain joined the war with a small professional army, previously used to control their Empire. While small compared to other European powers, the British army was expertly trained and funded, making them among the most powerful in the world. Secretary of State for War Lord Herbert Kitchener realized in August of 1914 that the war effort would not be as swift as expected and began calling for volunteers to create a mass army. Volunteers were persuaded by propaganda posters encouraging enlistment and joined for the duration of the war effort, with many underage and overage men enlisting despite regulations. Men often joined "Pals" battalions, which were made up on a geographic basis, allowing the men to have a fraternal tie to the battalion, strengthened through the camaraderie of war."The time has come for combined effort to stimulate and organize public opinion and public effort in the greatest conflict in which our people has [sic] ever been engaged...No one who can contribute anything to the accomplishment of this supremely urgent task is justified in standing aside." Mobilization of Forces Great Britain joined the war with a small professional army, previously used to control their Empire. While small compared to other European powers, the British army was expertly trained and funded, making them among the most powerful in the world. Secretary of State for War Lord Herbert Kitchener realized in August of 1914 that the war effort would not be as swift as expected and began calling for volunteers to create a mass army. Volunteers were persuaded by propaganda posters encouraging enlistment and joined for the duration of the war effort, with many underage and overage men enlisting despite regulations. Men often joined "Pals" battalions, which were made up on a geographic basis, allowing the men to have a fraternal tie to the battalion, strengthened through the camaraderie of war.Women workers were usually excluded from supervisory roles or work that was considered to be "skilled", despite women's successful roles in such jobs during WWIar across Europe that lasted until 1918. During the four-year conflict, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire (the Central Powers) fought against Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Canada, Japan and the United States (the Allied Powers). Thanks to new military technologies and the horrors of trench warfare, World War I saw unprecedented levels of carnage and destruction. By the time the war was over and the Allied Powers had won, more than 16 million people--soldiers and civilians alike--were dead. Engaging the Empire: Origins of WWI At the end of the 19th century, Great Britain existed in "splendid isolationism," as most of its attention was dedicated to internal imperial affairs.British propaganda poster of the King next to a map of the United Kingdom Early War Though British hesitation was already established in answering the "Servian question" as they viewed it only as a Balkan problem, once Germany declared war on Russia and France, Great Britain ultimately declared war on the Germans. On 27 August 1914, after the British arrived in France to fight on the Western Front, Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith addressed the House of Commons"The War which is now shaking to its foundations the whole European system originated in a quarrel in which this country had no direct concern.British propaganda poster of the King next to a map of the United Kingdom Early War Though British hesitation was already established in answering the "Servian question" as they viewed it only as a Balkan problem, once Germany declared war on Russia and France, Great Britain ultimately declared war on the Germans. On 27 August 1914, after the British arrived in France to fight on the Western Front, Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith addressed the House of Commons"The War which is now shaking to its foundations the whole European system originated in a quarrel in which this country had no direct concern.It often presents a gloomy picture of a society dogged by mass unemployment and class conflict, punctuated by futile protests such as the General Strike and the hunger marches, all presided over by uncaring coalition and National governments that cultivated the dictators while Europe drifted towards fascism.It often presents a gloomy picture of a society dogged by mass unemployment and class conflict, punctuated by futile protests such as the General Strike and the hunger marches, all presided over by uncaring coalition and National governments that cultivated the dictators while Europe drifted towards fascism.He reports: "The real question which they had to solve at this moment was whether Austria was to crush Servia [sic] and to reduce her to the status of a vassal, or whether she was to leave Servia a free and independent state... The only place where a successful discussion of this question could be expected was London... I see no possibility of a general war being avoided unless the agreement of France and Germany can be abstained to keep their armies mobilized on their own sides of the frontier, as Russia has expressed her readiness."He reports: "The real question which they had to solve at this moment was whether Austria was to crush Servia [sic] and to reduce her to the status of a vassal, or whether she was to leave Servia a free and independent state... The only place where a successful discussion of this question could be expected was London... I see no possibility of a general war being avoided unless the agreement of France and Germany can be abstained to keep their armies mobilized on their own sides of the frontier, as Russia has expressed her readiness."Such perceptions have been influenced by vivid pieces of contemporary writing including Walter Greenwood's Love On The Dole (1933), Vera Brittain's Testament of Youth (1933), George Orwell's The Road To Wigan Pier (1937), and Ellen Wilkinson's The Town That Was Murdered (1939).Such perceptions have been influenced by vivid pieces of contemporary writing including Walter Greenwood's Love On The Dole (1933), Vera Brittain's Testament of Youth (1933), George Orwell's The Road To Wigan Pier (1937), and Ellen Wilkinson's The Town That Was Murdered (1939).During the four-year conflict, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire (the Central Powers) fought against Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Canada, Japan and the United States (the Allied Powers).While Great Britain joined Russia and France in the Triple Entente, it would not automatically join any conflict as it viewed Austria-Hungary's concerns as a chiefly Balkan affair.The Battle of Mons, a major battle in the Battle of Frontiers, featured the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) composed of four infantry divisions and one cavalry.British Rule in Wartime As Great Britain sought to rally the people around the war effort, they aimed to create a persona for King George V to make him equally relatable and patriotic.At the turn of the century, the British competed with the French in North Africa as they sought to expand their Empire, and also worked alongside the Turkish to ensure Russian naval expansion did not occur in the Mediterranean.The Battle of Mons, a major battle in the Battle of Frontiers, featured the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) composed of four infantry divisions and one cavalry.British Rule in Wartime As Great Britain sought to rally the people around the war effort, they aimed to create a persona for King George V to make him equally relatable and patriotic.His murder catapulted into a w Lesson: Britain During WW1 World War I, also known as the Great War, started in 1914 after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.This British retreat reinforced Lord Kitchener's belief that a larger army would be necessary within the war, thus galvanizing a recruitment effort throughout the Empire.In the text "His Majesty the King-Emperor's Activities in War-Time," photographers followed the King on military and morale trips. The author writes, "it is the absolute truth to say that, in the present time, there is not a man in the whole of the British Empire who works harder than the King-Emperor in the Empire's cause."However, as Kaiser Wilhelm II took control of Germany, it became clear that he aimed to make Germany a great power in Europe and began building up his military to combat hostile France and Russia on either side of his borders.This British retreat reinforced Lord Kitchener's belief that a larger army would be necessary within the war, thus galvanizing a recruitment effort throughout the Empire.In the text "His Majesty the King-Emperor's Activities in War-Time," photographers followed the King on military and morale trips. The author writes, "it is the absolute truth to say that, in the present time, there is not a man in the whole of the British Empire who works harder than the King-Emperor in the Empire's cause."Thanks to new military technologies and the horrors of trench warfare, World War I saw unprecedented levels of carnage and destruction.In 1929 there was a general strike which paralysed the country and workers from the more depressed areas including Tyneside and South Wales set out for London on a hunger march to bring their plight to the government's attention.During this time women began to get jobs in increasing numbers in the civil service accounting for about a quarter of all such posts by 1935, though these were mostly at clerical and administrative grades rather than the technical and professional jobs which were still dominated by men.Some jobs in new and existing industries came to be considered 'women's work' such as assembly work in the engineering, electrical, food and drink industries, as well as clerical work, typing and counter-sales.Attempting to Avoid War In the weeks leading to the outbreak of war, Europe was a powder keg awaiting a spark, with mass mobilization across the continent.When interacting, foreign governments exercised extreme caution to avoid treading on others but refused to appease demands.In 1929 there was a general strike which paralysed the country and workers from the more depressed areas including Tyneside and South Wales set out for London on a hunger march to bring their plight to the government's attention.During this time women began to get jobs in increasing numbers in the civil service accounting for about a quarter of all such posts by 1935, though these were mostly at clerical and administrative grades rather than the technical and professional jobs which were still dominated by men.Some jobs in new and existing industries came to be considered 'women's work' such as assembly work in the engineering, electrical, food and drink industries, as well as clerical work, typing and counter-sales.While effective in creating ties to the army, these proved dangerous as mass casualties on one battalion would have devastating effects on their home communities.While the British were initially able to hold off the Germans due to their superior rifles and professional army, they were still immensely outnumbered, causing them to retreat.Lesson: The Inter-war Period The social history of interwar Britain has been heavily coloured by economics and politics.On 4 August 1914, Britain declared war on Germany.