What was the extent of change in the role of the UK government in the Second World War?

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What was the extent of change in the role of the government in the Second World War?

During the war years the role of the government changed extensively. Britain was and still is a small, densely populated and divided island and naturally the government needed a sufficient work force and home front if they had any chance of defeating the Nazis. Multiple changes ensued, some permanent some temporary, some necessary some less so, some effective and some flawed. The divides in society were forced to mix. Different classes crowded together in tube stations to shelter from bombs, whilst men and women worked along side each other factories. The government’s control over the people was so intense they even decided their diets, however the war years grew stronger and healthier children, so they must have been doing something right. Ultimately though some of the government’s techniques were flawed, they were emboldened by good intentions. The people of Britain appreciated this and were appropriately supportive of the government’s decisions. It was that trust that brought together the people of a divided nation and helped us to win “the battle of Britain”.

In 1939 Neville Chamberlain was the British Prime Minister. Up until the German invasion of Poland (1st September 1939) he believed he had successfully evaded a war for Britain through a series of negotiations with Adolf Hitler (known as appeasement). Unfortunately, though Chamberlain was convinced of Hitler’s sincerity, Hitler undermined Chamberlain’s wishes and began the Nazi invasion of Europe undeterred. This news came shortly after Chamberlain had assured the British people that they were safe from the Nazis and that war was an unlikely prospect. Naturally when war was announced this reflected very poorly on Chamberlain and lead to an increasingly negative perception of the British government. This early blunder would soon lead to Chamberlain’s resignation, as Britain needed a prime minister it could rely on. The government as a whole wanted to present a united front in order to keep morale up. They knew from the start that Britain was at a disadvantage in terms of resources and needed everyone to pull together; their role was going to change dramatically as they would have to start enforcing participation in the war effort. Initially the government had several aims: secure public safety, defend the country, maintain essential supplies and services and ultimately, win. In order to organise the masses, several new ministries within the coalition government were set up: home security, information, shipping, economic warfare and food. These ministries were integral to the war effort but also to the survival of the government. In 1940 the labour government entered into a coalition with the conservative party and Winston Churchill came to power. Many would say that he was one of the deciding factors in the war effort. He had the mentality of a soldier and understood war in a way that was beyond Chamberlain. He was a formidable leader, and an excellent public speaker, which helped in multiple ways. His speeches were inspiringly patriotic; his “finest hour” address was particularly encouraging to the British people.

A key example of the way government wanted to change people’s lives not just for the war but for good was the Beveridge Report. This report (published by William Beveridge in 1942) highlighted the areas of need in Britain: want, ignorance, disease, squalor and idleness. It proposed a scheme of benefit designed to guarantee health care and education for all. The reports main aim was achieve society where each man had the basic necessities to support him and his family. The Beveridge report shows the extent of change in that the government was taking a newfound interest in the welfare of the people, and in doing so looking out for the country as a whole. Government mps argued that the workers deserved compensation for their troubles in the war and William Beveridge wanted this for the British people whilst Churchill turned his back. However, despite this original lack of support the ideas introduced in the Beveridge report lead to the eventual formation of the NHS and the very foundations of our current system. The report changed Britain and the role of the government for good.

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Maintaining public safety was one of the main aims for the Government upon entering into war. The Government went to extreme lengths to protect the people from the German bombings. They set up barrage balloons and sandbags and organised the “blackout” stopping lights after dark. Public service films were made advising the British people that no one was safe and everyone must be prepared. Films such as “the warning” acquainted the people with the noise of the sirens and instructed you where to seek shelter. “Look out in the Blackout” instructed people in the ways of the ARP wardens ...

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