Q. What impact did the First World War have on the well being ofBritish civilians

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Q.  What impact did the First World War have on the well being of British civilians?

When constructing an essay based upon the impact that the First World War had upon the wellbeing of British civilians, we primarily have to distinguish how, and with what criteria we will use to judge a Nations health standard and wellbeing.

Throughout this essay, it is my aim to evaluate all of the different primary and secondary material available on the topic.  Hopefully, this will provide me with enough data to make a subjective opinion of my own.

Many historians over the years have bestowed upon us many conflicting thesis and ideologies regarding the impact that the ‘Great War’ had on the well being of British civilians.

 In my opinion the most influential publication of the recent times is the study collaborated by Jay Winter.

Winter has opted to move away from the orthodox historians view, that the effects of the ‘Great War’ had detrimental consequences on the health of the nation.  Instead Winter states that, “ Working-class standard of health actually improved markedly during the war.” (1)

This sweeping statement has been met with mixed reactions. A number of Winter’s peers have been inclined to accept this argument and the explanations he provides for it.

Alan Milward wrote, “ Winter is able to show that the ‘Great War’ produced significant improvements in the life expectancy of the civilian population.” (2)

Other historians remain more sceptical towards Winter’s comments.  Bernard Harris for 1 disputes some of the empirical evidence used by Winter to add weight to his thesis.  In regard to infant mortality rates Harris comments, “ there is little to suggest that the war had any great effect upon what was already a well established trend.” (3)

There are many different statistics that can be brought into the equation to support such ideologies, but the validity and underlying reasons behind them can always be brought into question.

As my essay progresses, I hope to be able to decipher the authentic data and use it constructively to provide a comprehensive answer to the above questions.

I think it is without doubt that as the hardships of war set in, the diet of the British civilian population was greatly effected.  Shortages in some food types meant that prices increased dramatically, and luxury goods were no longer seen in the grocery store.

It has to be noted that the inelastic demand for the staple foods such as potatoes and bread actually increased during the war years.  

The total output of wheat, barley, oats, rye and potatoes exceeded 18 million tonnes by 1918.  This is an overall increase of 4 million tonnes since the onset of war.

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It has been stated by many historians that the food shortage that were visible during World War 1 had positive effects on civilian health.

The reduction in the amount of alcohol and sugar consumed in the diet would most definitely have beneficial effects on a nations wellbeing.

Maybe, theoretically speaking, the stabilising of the working class diet would have an advantageous effect on nutritional levels, thus ultimately mortality rates.

Winter discovered that by 1921, the life expectancy for men in England had rose from 49 to 56 years of age, and women from 53 to 60 years ...

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