Why did the British government decide to evacuate children from the major cities of Britain at the start of the Second World War?

Britain was in danger of a war, therefore it was obviously considered to protect the civilians. The evacuation of children into the countryside was suggested and eventually carried out. This was an extremely difficult time for both the parents and the children, but most people understood the situation, that this was the best way to avoid endangering the children.

It wasn’t just the threat of war that caused the government to decide to evacuate, linked to this was the fact that they knew from past experiences in world war one and the damage caused, when industrial areas were bombed. During this period new sources of weapons began to be used, which caused a lot more damage and were much quicker. This made Britain feel threatened, that not only would these be used again but that on top of that, the fact that weapons were now more high tech and gas had also been introduced. It was first used by Germany in 1915 to break through the allies at Ypres, it caused fatal deaths and savvier injuries. This was later updated in 1917 to Mustard gas which was much more treacherous. Britain was afraid this might be used again not only on the battlefield but to attack industrial areas. Gas masks were given out to protect civilians if they were attacked. All these risks linked together would make a big impact and caused great concern. Britain didn’t want to experience another war like world war one. Also they saw the results in Guernica, when cities were bombed and the death rate was extremely high.

Britain knew that Germany had began to rearm after the Treaty of Versailles which caused concern, as they were afraid Germany were increasing their strength even more. Although Britain did sign an agreement saying that Germany could proceed with the rearment as long as they did not exceed 35% of the British fleet. This was one of the changes since world war one. Also the fact that Germany were rearming with more updated weapons caused even more tension.

Britain knew from past experiences that it was more than likely that industrial areas would be attacked, As in world war one. ...

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Britain knew from past experiences that it was more than likely that industrial areas would be attacked, As in world war one. They expected Germany to use the same method of bombing to break any communication and stop transportation, as this gave Germany control over all television and radio lines. This was a threat to the civilians living in the areas been bombed. Not only were children evacuated, but also other methods of protecting civilians were used. Air raid shelters were handed out to each family to use when under attack and other materials such as gas masks ect, all for the protection of civilians. While children were away women now begun to get jobs to replace the men and no longer spent all day in the house as expected. The evacuation of children helped make this possible, as women were not needed in the house.

Britain also began to ration, because they had seen the results of food shortages in Verdun 1916, when supplies were bombed in an attempt to win the war this was helped by the children been evacuated as many worked on farms meaning they were more food supplies, also people back home were using any available land to grow crops.

There was a risk that children could loose their families but if they were evacuated at least they were safe.

The first evacuation took place on the 1st of September but nothing actually happened and children began to drift back home. A second evacuation was organised in 1940 but it was half the size as the first one in 1939.This was because families began to think it was pointless sending the children away from home when nothing was actually putting them in danger. This was a bad mistake, as soon after Germany began to bomb Britain.

They were multi causes for the evacuation of children. The risk of being killed by methods of attacking the industrial areas by the use of gas, updated and more powerful weapons were being used and the rearming of Germany were what made the government decide to evacuate theses were backed up by the certainty that Germany were likely bomb industrial areas to try to defeat Britain. Industrial areas were targeted because the population was high and many supplies etc were there. All theses risks frightened Britain, and were linked to the fact that civilians were in great danger of been injured or killed during this period.

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