Blitz source questions

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Shyam Raithatha                                                                                                                   History Coursework

Mr Worrallo

1. Study Source A. What can you learn from Source A about the response of the British people to the effects of the Blitz?

Source A’s tone and positive language clearly shows that the Blitz is an event to be celebrated. Words like “courage” and “determination” clearly show this. It emotive language shows it’s a book with stories that will “break your heart and make you smile.” But now having time pass, just gives the war more of a reason to be celebrated. This make people realise what they have experienced, and in result making people think that they are heroes and survivors. Still, you must remember that the publisher is trying to sell the book. However this is a blurb point to sell as a souvenir marking the 50th anniversary of the Blitz. This book had to be sold so it had to appeal to the British people. This book is trying to make the British people look courageous but it is neutral and does not show the other side of the story.

2. Study sources B and C. How useful are Sources B and C in helping you to understand the effects of the Blitz in people in Britain?

Source B shows a bombing as it shows a photograph of Catford Girls’ School hit by an air raid on the 20th January 1943. This picture shows different types of people working together, police, nurses and teachers this shows that they all want the same thing which is probably peace. The photo was censored because it was very upsetting to some people and gave a negative impression. From this source I can infer that even in 1943, 3 years after the blitz started, the government was still worried about the morale of the British people. But the photo gives us limited information on the scale and the impact of the Blitz. This picture is just a snapshot it is just showing us one scene with some people in it. We do not know how other parts of the country were affected.

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Source C is a photo taken in 1940 so very early on in the bombing, and as this is early on in the bombing of course people would be enthusiastic. This picture gives a positive impression even in a time of misfortune. It is supposed to show the sense of community as it involves people of all ages in front of all their possessions. This photo is probably staged because everyone is looking at the camera and the photographer is in the perfect position in an unusual angle. This is useful for telling us that the government is concerned about ...

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