History Coursework: Assignment 1, Model 1. Britain in the Second World War
Why did the British Government decide to evacuate children from Britains major cities in the Second World War?
Evacuation was the temporary re-location of children from industrial areas to the countryside during the Second World War. This was done if there was a threat of bombing of the major industrial cities, countryside was not effected so the children were sent there. It was an attempt to preserve future generations and stop the enemy lowering morale with infant casualties.
As early as 1920’s Britains government warned against and predicted that civilians would be bombed in the event of another outbreak of war. The development of the aircraft changed the face of the threat of bombing. Where once it was feared that Zeppelins would be used in an attack, now the faster, more agile aircraft looked more likely to be used in an attack from the air. The development of the German Luftwaffa also increased threat of Air raids as the most threatening country was now arming itself for air attacks. In 1935, the British Government made initial plans for the evacuation of children in industrial cities, by attacking these major cities, the Luftwaffa could ‘Give Britain a bloody nose’. Such cities included Birmingham, London, Manchester, Sheffield etc. Not only could they cripple Britains industry by attacking these cities, but also by targeting civilians, they could greatly lower morale.