Did the Second World War cause a social revolution in Britain?

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Did the Second World War cause a social revolution in Britain?

World War Two encouraged and was a catalyst for social revolution in Britain after 1945.  The war confronted Britain with many new social challenges and situations that had never been encountered before.  However, it is debatable to what extent the social reform lasted and how strong its impact remains today.

It is extremely clear that a social reform took place in Britain post World War Two for reasons including shared experiences and conscription. The impacts of certain factors did vary in strength and over time. It is evident that some factors still remain such as women in work but other factors such as propaganda were weak and therefore did not endure.

The power of the Trade Unions had a strong long term social effect after World War Two. We are able to establish this because the support of trade unions themselves increased during 1946, rising from 6,298,000 to 8,803,000. Many of these new members were women following the dramatic increase of women working during the war years. With the trade unions having more supporters this meant that their strikes would have more impact putting more pressure on the government and employers therefore increasing their bargaining power as the government would try and do anything to prevent a strike on a massive scale. Furthermore we are able to identify that the power of the trade unions had a long term effect, many are still remain today, particularly in the royal mail, transport and public sectors.  Whilst membership has declined since the miners’ strike in the late 70’s they are still powerful and are now active with the governments proposed public sectors cuts. This therefore shows that the rise of the trade unions during the Second World War caused a long term social revolution as 55 years on its strong power still remains.

During the war many allies , mostly Americans were posted and served in Britain. The Americans had their own culture which was not based on social classes strongly other than continuing black discrimination they were generally less formal had their own entertainment and media , and were better paid with better food and cigarette rationing. This with the “War Spirit” of both countries fighting together meant that as allies their style , culture and media influence the British. This bringing together of the two cultures has had a long lasting effect noticeable through media and close international relationship.

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Americanisation -During world war two there was a strong American feel in Brittan whether it was from the US servicemen living in Brittan or the American entertainment that was shown but it caused a strong influence on British citizens. This was one of the most effective long term social change caused by the second world war one reasons for this is many of the Us servicemen impregnated British women therefore  during after the war there were many British-American families . Another reason for its remaining influence is the media that has remained in Brittan. Many movies and programs we watch ...

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