Why did the British Government decide to evacuate children from the major British cities at the start of World War Two?

There are many reasons why the British Government decided to evacuate children from the major British cities at the start of WW2. They realised that with the development of heavy bomber aircraft, bombing was inevitable and so decided the safest place for children, the future of England, was in the countryside, where allies had little reason to bomb, as no weapons or equipment were being produced, neither was it heavily populated.

The government learnt from the deaths of 1000s of Spaniards in the Spanish Civil war that the Germans held no fake threats, and Britain knew of the tragedy and destruction that was caused in the war. They therefore decided it was necessary to evacuate children from all the cities, which were most likely to be bombed. By evacuating children, it proved to people how serious the war was and how much everybody’s help and co-operation was needed. This made people respect other decisions of the government and start helping more towards a greater Britain.

Also by sending children to go live in the countryside, it freed up the mothers and other guardians, allowing them to input to the vital war effort. A lot of women were needed to help in the factories and other areas as all the men were in the army. The more women available and the more and the longer hours they can work, the more supplies produced, so the stronger the army and country.

Also with children living in the countryside it meant the children could help on the farms. That also produced more food and supplies for the armies. ...

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Also with children living in the countryside it meant the children could help on the farms. That also produced more food and supplies for the armies. It boosted Britain’s morale knowing that everyone was inputting to the success of Great Britain.

Obviously the less killed, the better, but more importantly if a lot of children died, then Britain’s future would be doomed as when the children grow up, they will be running the country and the armies. The government needed these people for when they grow older, to protect and run Britain in the future. The Government didn’t know how long the war would last and so they had to preserve, and care for as many members of the country as they could.

People would resent the Government if people were killed, especially children. They would also be less inclined to work hard for the government if they knew their children weren’t safe as they would be worrying about them, and if any of them died people would be grieving and so would be less focused on their work.

It kept the men in the army and the other services happier and more peaceful knowing their families were in safer conditions, which meant they could concentrate more on fighting the war and defending their country. The less they had to worry about, the more focused they were, which meant they would be able to defend Great Britain more successfully. It also made them feel they were fighting for something as if a lot of children died in the attacks then there would be no point in them carrying on fighting; if all the children died, then there would be know one to carry on defending the country if a lot of soldiers died.

As you can see there are many reasons for the evacuation of children, some more important than others. I think the most important reason why they decided evacuated was to increase the war effort. Britain wanted success, and by evacuating the children, it freed up a lot of people to work, or if they already did work, it meant they could work longer, more intense hours, without having to worry about getting home to their children. By evacuating children it also created more help for Farmers. I believe the Government made a very good decision in the evacuation process.

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