Describe the effects of the Blitz on everyday life in Britain
The Blitz was a devastating and horrifying event in history, which began in September 1940 and lasted until November. During the Blitz, everyday life in Britain was radically influenced due to the many restrictions and disruption that were imposed upon it.
Blackouts were a major part of these disruptions, as when lights were out, streetlights off, and car headlights off, nothing could be seen. This caused many accidents and deaths for motorists and pedestrians, and by the end of 1939 more that 1500 people had died due accidents during the blackouts. After government, officials had seen these figures they decided to let motorists have dimmed lights on the front of their vehicles, and civilians could use dimmed torches to find their way during blackouts. In addition, kerbs, roadsides and causeways were painted black and white, so they could be seen more easily with dimmed lights. One very disturbing aspect of blackout was that whilst people were away from there homes and the streets were darkened, opportunistic burglaries took place, and people returned home to find their homes ransacked and valuables stolen. This type of activity widened the gap between the upper and lower classes, as it was the rich that were able to leave the cities for safer areas, whilst the poor had to remain to face the terror of bombing raids in the cramped underground stations that served as air raid shelters.
