British History
What new working conditions did women face in WW1?
They faced longer hours, danger from the munitions they were produced, over 100 died in shell explosions, they did get paid more than they would as a domestic worker but still less than a man doing the same job. Over 1 million women entered the workforce, and by 1918, they made up 1/3 of the workforce.
What were the results of the war for women?
Their presence in the war effort/jobs did challenge the idea that women were weak and irrational, but there was still the notion that they should be keeping the ‘home fires burning’ as a good housewife instead. Women were still paid less than a man doing the same job, many women returned back to being a housewife/previous occupation, and my 1921, the number of women in the workforce was not that different from the amount in 1911. However, they did benefit from the 1919 sex disqualification act, where it was forbidden to exclude women from a career in Law/civil service.
What was the 1918 representation of the people act?
All men over 21 could vote, and those men over 19 who had been serving in the war could vote in the next election. Women over 30 could vote if they were a private property owner, or if they were a member of the local government register, were married to one, or if they were a graduate voting in university elections. Those younger W/C women who had been active during the war were given the right t0 vote in 1928.
What was the miners strike of 1921?
After the war, the government was no longer in control of the coal mines; the owners therefore raised the working hours and lowered the wages. Miners went on a national strike, and there was a possibility of a general strike when they were joined by the railway and docks workers. Lloyd George stopped this potential alliance, and on the last moment, the railway and docks workers retreated. The miners striked alone until July, and when they returned many face wage cuts that meant their wage was 20% lower than the pre-war wage.
What cultural changes can be shown through children and churches?
Children = many of their young teacher went to fight in the war. Many W/C children left school early to help with the war effort through working. Around 400,000 children grew up in lone parent households.
Church = was called upon for burial series, sermons etc. The opoe tried to act as a mediator between the two opposing camps.
How did patriotism affect the war effort etc?
Businesses stressed the britishness of their products and the symbol of the British bulldog showed the strength of Britain.
1 million men signed up to the war, but this wasn’t enough, and so the Conscription Act was assed in 1916.
What were conscientous objectors and in what clause etc did they first make an appearance?
The conscience clause in the Conscription Act on 1916 allowed some men to be exempt from fighting in the war.
What 3 types of reason could someone be a CO for?
Moral reasons, religious reasons and political reasons (member of the left and feeling that W/C people would suffer the most from the war)
What happened to the 16,00 COs?
10,000 agreed to do other work for the government such as driving ambulances, and nearly 6,000 were imprisoned because they refused to take part in the war effort, and were called ‘absolutists’.
What did a white feather symbolise?
Cowardice.
What kind of things did soldiers face in the trenches?
Rats, lice, diseases, cold, poor sanitation, they risked explosions and attack if they left the trench. What did soldiers suffer from during the War? Shell shock, amputated limbs, disease etc – 750,000 died and 2 million were injured
Name a poem written during WW1
Dulce et Decorum est by Wilfred Owen
What was the response of the Irish to WW1?
Both sides (nationalists and unionists) took part in the war effort. Some members of the Irish nationalists refused and formed a group led by MacNeil; a minority from this group planned an Easter Uprising.
Explain the events of the Easter Uprising.
They took control of the post office in Dublin, and posted signed proclamation that said that …. However, there was little support for their actions outside Dublin, and soon they were caught.
What were the results of the Easter Uprising?
A total of 15 people were shot, and 150,000 who were directly/indirectly involved were arrested and many sent to prison in Britain without trial. There were disagreements in Britain about the harsh treatment of the Irish, and there were calls to resolve the issue.
What did Lloyd George do to deal with the Easter Uprising?
He came up with the Heads of Agreement, where the 26 counties of South Ireland would have independence from Britain, and the 6 counties of the North(ulster) would remain in a union with Britain. However, Sinn Fein rejected this deal.
How did the rise of Sinn Fein occur, and what did they create in Ireland?
????, they created the Assembly of Ireland, where Ireland was an independent Ireland Republic. They refused to send MPs to Westminster, and instead sent their own delegates to the Paris peace conference. The Irish nationalists became the Irish Republic Army (IRA), and set out on a campaign to stop a union with Britain.
What did Sinn Fein create in Ireland?
They created the Assembly of Ireland called 'Dail Eeirann' which was called the only legislative body in Ireland, and the whole of Ireland was deemed as an Independent country ????. Sinn Fein refused to send MPs to Westminster and instead sent their own delegates to the Pars Peace conference. The Irish Nationalists changed to the IRA and were dedicated at creating Irish independence.
Who were the Black and Tans and what did they do on Bloody Sunday 1921?
They were British force that aimed to oppose the IRA. On Bloody Sunday 1921, the IRA dragged 11 citizens from their homes, who were suspected of being spies for the British, and shot them on the streets. Later that afternoon, the Black and Tans randomly shot into the Gaelic football players and the crowd. 12 people were killed and 60 were injured.
What was the reaction to Bloody Sunday 1921?
The actions of the British were condemned and there were calls from the King, Pope and L.O.N to come to a peaceful resolution.
Describe the terms of the Anglo-Irish treaty.
Northern Ireland would remain in a union with Britain - Lloyd George convinced the Unionists that this would be permanent, whilst telling Sinn Fein that this would be temporary and that soon the whole of Ireland would be independent. The North would have their own administration etc. The South would be an independent Dominion of Britain - they would have their own government etc, but Britain would have control over their defence, foreign policy, their ports would be used as Naval bases during wartime etc.
Did the Anglo-Irish treaty improve or worsen the relations in Ireland?
Sinn Fein and a few others rejected the treaty and there was a civil war between the pro and anti treaty sections of the party. Armed resistance and the civil war officially stopped in 1923. however, there were still tensions amongst the North and the South.
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