Women and the War
War, for many women, was about gaining strength and mobility. As more and more men left to fight in battle, women started taking over traditionally male jobs and tasks. During WWII, women in high numbers were asked to work outside as well as inside of the home. As WWII continued, greater numbers of women began to take control. For the first time, women across the world were learning to work as , , and . Many women even joined the army through an organization called . WWII also brought about an increase in women as subjects of as well as an increase in . Finally, women worked as drivers, farmers, garbage collectors, builders, and mechanics. Women also played their part through the “grow your own campaign” and Women’s Land Army
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Rationing
The food situation in World War 2 gradually worsened as the German u-boats sank the merchant ships. By 1940 the situation was very bad and the country introduced rationing on the 5th January, each person was allowed a small amount of butter, meat and bread. Children were given a small bottle of milk at school and concentrated orange juice was available for the very young. Each household would cultivate their gardens for vegetables, and in some areas commons and public grounds were ploughed up for the staple foods such as wheat, oats and barley. As the U-boats were sunk and the situation was relieved somewhat the food from the prairies of North America and Canada helped enormously, though the rationing of food and clothing remained for some years after the war.
Evacuation
On the 1st September 1939, even before Britain went to war with Germany, the first Evacuation began. About one and a half million women and childen were evacuated, by the government, from places that were likely to be bombed by Hitler. A lot of the children came from poor families and they quite often didn't understand what was going on. On many occasions their parents didn't even know where they were going. Children were taken to the 'safer' countryside where they had to stay with foster families. Children arrived at their destinations and were taken to reception areas. Foster parents picked the children that they wanted to stay with them. Unlucky children got picked last or not at all. Each child wore an identity label to tell people who they were.
The Blitz
In the first years of the Blitz, Anderson shelters were provided by the government, and 150,000 of these were distributed to houses with gardens. They were constructed of corrugated iron, many quite poorly, and were usually cold and damp, but they did provide a little private shelter for those who had them. The blackout came into force on 1st September 1939. This was an attempt to stop the German bombers seeing their targets, and involved every source of light being put out. The air-raid precautions were looked after by air-raid wardens who were a major factor in Britain’s relatively successful defense o the Blitz.
Propaganda and Censorship
As in World War 1, propaganda mainly targeted men, persuading them to join the army. However there were also a lot of posters aimed at women, asking them to work and not to waste food.
Censorship in the war was very high as The Ministry of Information was very concerned about German spies. Newspapers and radio were told to concentrate on British heroism not true facts.
In conclusion life on the home front was very difficult in the time of war, with the Blitz, and food shortages. But British Bulldog Spirit helped pull the British through, and stop the Germans invading.