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Women's Organisations Set Up
From AUGUST TO SEPTEMBER, many different women's organisations were set up, including the Women's Hospital Corps and the Women's Police Volunteers. -
War Declared on Germany
War declared on Germany. Britain needed an army quickly. The government launched a massive recruitment campaign and 500,000 men joined the army in just one month. -
The Introduction of DORA by the British Government
The 'Defence of the Realm Act' (DORA) was introduced. It gave the government special powers such as the right to take over industries and land which were needed for the war effort, or to censor newspapers. The government immediately took control of the coal industry so that mines could be run to support the war effort. -
HMS Audacious Sunk
OCTOBER - The battleship's sinking wasn't reported due to the government's strict control over news, only allowing the advertising of military successes. -
First Bombing of British Civilians
The first bombing of British civilians. German warships shelled the east coast of Britain. In Scarborough, 119 people were killed. -
First Air Raids
First air raids by German Zeppelin airships, dropping bombs on East Anglian towns. -
Coalition Government Formed Involving All Parties
MAY - It was recognised that the war needed much more careful organisation of all aspects of British life, so a coalition government with politicians from all parties was formed to handle the growing crisis in Britain. -
First Zeppelin Raids on London
The first Zeppelin raid on London. Air raids by Zeppelins and later by aircraft were a regular feature of the rest of the war. -
The Munitions Crisis
The Munitions Crisis: British troops were facing a severe shortage of shells and bullets on the Western Front (during a stalemate). Soldiers in the front lines were rationed to three rounds of ammunition a day. The government set up the Ministry of Munitions under David Lloyd George to reorganise Britain's munitions supply. Lloyd George and Mrs Pankhurst, a suffragette leader, organised a 'women's march for jobs' to recruit women to work in factories. -
Problems Surrounding the Employment of Women in Factories
AUTUMN - Many employers refused to take on women and trade unions refused to allow women workers. The government had to come to an agreement with the trade unions that women would be paid the same as men and would only work 'until sufficient male labour should be available again'. 100,000 women registered for work in industry. The government also set up its own munitions factories, employing largely women. -
1916 Workers' Strikes
1916 - 235,000 workers went on strike at various times. 2.5 million working days were lost -
First Military Service Bill - Conscription
First Military Service Bill introduced conscription for all single men aged 18-40. They could be called up at any time to fight. They did this because volunteer numbers were falling, the system was unfair, the demand for troops was increasing, and the dead and wounded needed replacing. -
Second Military Service Bill
Second Military Service Bill extended conscription to married men. -
The Battle of the Somme Begins
The Battle of the Somme began. More British soldiers were killed in this battle than in any previous battle. -
'The Battle of the Somme' Government Feature Film
AUGUST - The British public flocked to the cinemas to see the government's new feature film 'The Battle of the Somme', which the 'Evening News' called 'the greatest moving picture in world'. -
Public Criticism of the Running of the War
NOVEMBER - For the first time, there was public criticism of the way the war was being run by the generals. -
Journalists at the Front
NOVEMBER - The government began to allow approved journalists to be at the front, who focused on reporting good news. -
Battle of the Somme Called Off
There was very little gain for the 500,000 British casualties. -
Lloyd-George Becomes Prime Minister
David Lloyd George, a critic of army leadership, became Prime Minister in place of Herbert Asquith. He immediately reorganised the British government to focus all effort on the war. He set up the Ministry of Labour to deal with the labour supply in British industry. He set up the Ministry of Food to deal with the food supply. -
Women's Land Army Formed & Devastating German Submarine Warfare
FEBRUARY - Germany began its third and most devastating campaign of unrestricted submarine warfare against British merchant ships. The Women's Land Army was formed to recruit women as farm labourers -
Food Supplies Low & U-Boat Successes
APRIL - German U-boats sank one in four British merchant ships in the Atlantic. The food supply was running very low. Under DORA, the government took over 2.5 million acres of new farming land to help feed Britain. -
Failed Voluntary Rationing Scheme
NOVEMBER - A voluntary rationing schme was introduced. It was a failiure. Food prices continued to rise and food queues got longer. -
The Ninepenny Loaf
NOVEMBER - The government introduced laws to control the price of bread. -
Law Passed to Give Women Over 30 the Vote
Parliament agreed a law to give all women over 30 who were householders the right to vote in general elections. -
1918 Strikes
1918 - Over 900,000 workers went on strike at some stage. 6 million working days were lost. -
Compulsory Rationing Scheme Introduced
Compulsory rationing scheme introduced in London and Southern Britain with stiff penalties for offenders. -
Rationing Extended across Britain
APRIL - Rationing of meat, butter and cheese extended to the entire country. -
The War Ends - Armistice Signed
At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, the Armistice was signed. The war was officially over. -
General Election
General election held in Britain. Women over 30 voted for the first time.
