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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.

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. 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. His murder catapulted into a war 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. While still involved in European affairs,

Great Britain did not join in the alliances created in the 1890s between Germany and AustriaHungary, nor did France or Russia. 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. During this time,

Britain and Germany maintained a positive trade relationship as the British did not yet feel

threatened by the Germans. 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 effectively created a

security dilemma in Europe as states responded by bolstering their militaries. Now feeling threatened by the Germans, Great Britain settled its differences with France and Russia and

joined their alliance.
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. As late as 31 July 1914, British popular opinion, the British cabinet, and Parliament were

divided on the prospect of entering the war, though ultimately entered due to fears that a German

victory in the western theater would mean an end to the balance of power in Europe. Germany’s

violation of Belgian neutrality also made the decision easier. On 4 August 1914, Britain declared

war on Germany.
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. Within

communications between British officials and foreign governments, Sir Edward Grey wrote:
“His Majesty’s Government, on their side, are most anxious to avoid any incident of an

aggressive nature, and the German Government will, I hope, be equally careful not to take any

step which would make the situation… impossible.”
While the rest of Europe prepared for war, there was hope that the British government and

London could act as the mediator in neutralizing the threat of war. However, Ambassador to the

Russian Empire George Buchanan stated that discussions between Austro-Hungarians and the

Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs were reported to have made “no progress whatever.” 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.”
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. We strove with all our might, as everyone

now knows, to prevent its outbreak, and when that was no longer possible, so limit its area…

History tells us that the duty of asserting and maintaining that great principle… has fallen once

and again, at the most critical moments in the past, to States relatively small in area and in

population, but great in courage, and in resolve… We assure [the Belgians] – as I ask the House

in this Address to do – we assure them today, in the name of this United Kingdom and of the

whole Empire, that they may count to the end of our whole-hearted and unfailing support.”
The support for the war was not just within the House of Commons and Parliament, but local

British government as well, as the Lord Mayor of London wrote to the Lords of Edinburgh,

Dublin, and Cardiff, urging their support.
“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. 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. Pals battalions would begin their

fighting in late 1915/early 1916, as professional soldiers led the brunt of the fighting before

then.
Beginning Battles, 1914-1916
The British and German Forces met for the first time in the Battle of Mons on 23 August

1914. 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. The British

advanced through northern France to the Sambre River where they would meet a Germanlaunched attack. 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. 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.
British soldiers on horseback
In the entirety of the war, the British suffered a total of 886,000 fatalities. The heaviest loss

of life occurred on 1 July 1916, during the Battle of Somme. The British Army experienced

their bloodiest day in history, reporting 57,470 casualties and 19,860 fatalities. They gained

three square miles of territory.
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. 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.” Lesson: The Inter-war Period
The social history of interwar Britain has been heavily coloured by economics and politics. 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. 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). Yet the authors’ combination of literary skill

and political bias make these dubious sources for social history.
Post WWI and work

After the First World War many returning servicemen reclaimed the available jobs, and the

numbers of women workers, particularly in industry and trade declined. During the 1920s and

30s the UK economy was plunged into a recession leading to very high levels of unemployment.
The British workforce were very angry. 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. So it

was not surprising that many women who tried to find work that made use of the skills they had

gained in the industries during the WWI were vilified by the press for ‘taking up exservicemen’s jobs’. Although unemployment benefit had been introduced through the National

Insurance Act 1911, women were not eligible for benefits if they refused to take up available

jobs in domestic service. All this served to force women back towards what was considered ‘women’s work’ like laundry, dressmaking, domestic work and work in ‘sweated industries’.

During this period, the government replicated women’s unequal pay rates in the labour market

by setting the unemployment benefit for women at a lower rate than that for men.
However, some job opportunities in new industries and professions did open up for women

through the 1920s and 30s. Following the Education Act of 1918 which raised the school

leaving age to 14, women were better educated. The Sex Disqualification Act of 1919 made it

somewhat easier for women to go to university and take up professional jobs as teachers, nurses

and a few even qualified as doctors. Middle class women benefited from these increased

opportunities. 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.
Women's work?
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. However, these jobs were low paid and involved long working hours

and shift work. 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. While still involved in European affairs,

Great Britain did not join in the alliances created in the 1890s between Germany and AustriaHungary, nor did France or Russia. 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. During this time,

Britain and Germany maintained a positive trade relationship as the British did not yet feel

threatened by the Germans. 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 effectively created a

security dilemma in Europe as states responded by bolstering their militaries. Now feeling threatened by the Germans, Great Britain settled its differences with France and Russia and

joined their alliance.
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. As late as 31 July 1914, British popular opinion, the British cabinet, and Parliament were

divided on the prospect of entering the war, though ultimately entered due to fears that a German

victory in the western theater would mean an end to the balance of power in Europe. Germany’s

violation of Belgian neutrality also made the decision easier. On 4 August 1914, Britain declared

war on Germany.
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. Within

communications between British officials and foreign governments, Sir Edward Grey wrote:
“His Majesty’s Government, on their side, are most anxious to avoid any incident of an

aggressive nature, and the German Government will, I hope, be equally careful not to take any

step which would make the situation… impossible.”
While the rest of Europe prepared for war, there was hope that the British government and

London could act as the mediator in neutralizing the threat of war. However, Ambassador to the

Russian Empire George Buchanan stated that discussions between Austro-Hungarians and the

Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs were reported to have made “no progress whatever.” 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.”
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. We strove with all our might, as everyone

now knows, to prevent its outbreak, and when that was no longer possible, so limit its area…

History tells us that the duty of asserting and maintaining that great principle… has fallen once

and again, at the most critical moments in the past, to States relatively small in area and in

population, but great in courage, and in resolve… We assure [the Belgians] – as I ask the House

in this Address to do – we assure them today, in the name of this United Kingdom and of the

whole Empire, that they may count to the end of our whole-hearted and unfailing support.”
The support for the war was not just within the House of Commons and Parliament, but local

British government as well, as the Lord Mayor of London wrote to the Lords of Edinburgh,

Dublin, and Cardiff, urging their support.
“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. 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. Pals battalions would begin their

fighting in late 1915/early 1916, as professional soldiers led the brunt of the fighting before

then.
Beginning Battles, 1914-1916
The British and German Forces met for the first time in the Battle of Mons on 23 August

1914. 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. The British

advanced through northern France to the Sambre River where they would meet a Germanlaunched attack. 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. 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.
British soldiers on horseback
In the entirety of the war, the British suffered a total of 886,000 fatalities. The heaviest loss

of life occurred on 1 July 1916, during the Battle of Somme. The British Army experienced

their bloodiest day in history, reporting 57,470 casualties and 19,860 fatalities. They gained

three square miles of territory.
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. 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.” Lesson: The Inter-war Period
The social history of interwar Britain has been heavily coloured by economics and politics. 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. 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). Yet the authors’ combination of literary skill

and political bias make these dubious sources for social history.
Post WWI and work

After the First World War many returning servicemen reclaimed the available jobs, and the

numbers of women workers, particularly in industry and trade declined. During the 1920s and

30s the UK economy was plunged into a recession leading to very high levels of unemployment.
The British workforce were very angry. 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. So it

was not surprising that many women who tried to find work that made use of the skills they had

gained in the industries during the WWI were vilified by the press for ‘taking up exservicemen’s jobs’. Although unemployment benefit had been introduced through the National

Insurance Act 1911, women were not eligible for benefits if they refused to take up available

jobs in domestic service. All this served to force women back towards what was considered ‘women’s work’ like laundry, dressmaking, domestic work and work in ‘sweated industries’.

During this period, the government replicated women’s unequal pay rates in the labour market

by setting the unemployment benefit for women at a lower rate than that for men.
However, some job opportunities in new industries and professions did open up for women

through the 1920s and 30s. Following the Education Act of 1918 which raised the school

leaving age to 14, women were better educated. The Sex Disqualification Act of 1919 made it

somewhat easier for women to go to university and take up professional jobs as teachers, nurses

and a few even qualified as doctors. Middle class women benefited from these increased

opportunities. 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.
Women's work?
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. However, these jobs were low paid and involved long working hours

and shift work. 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 WWI