The First World War required the mobilisation of entire societies, regardless of age or gender. The phrase 'home front' was itself a product of the war with parts of Britain literally a war front, coming under enemy attack from the sea and increasingly the air. However, the home front also conveyed the war's impact on almost every aspect of British life, economic, social and domestic. In the fullest account to-date, leading historians show how the war blurred the division between what was military and not, and how it made many conscious of their national identities for the first time. They reveal how its impact changed Britain for ever, transforming the monarchy, promoting systematic cabinet government, and prompting state intervention in a country which prided itself on its liberalism and its support for free trade. In many respects we still live with the consequences.
Introduction Hew Strachan; 1. The United Kingdom in 1914 Catriona Pennell; Part I. Government: 2. The monarchy Heather Jones; 3. The growth of cabinet government George Peden; 4. The defence of the realm act G. R. Rubin; 5. Local Government: The experience of Essex Stuart Hallifax; 6. The clergy and cultural mobilisation Edward Madigan; Part II. Resources: 7. Iron and steel Peter Claughton; 8. Timber Rob Newman; 9. Fishing Robb Robinson; 10. Agriculture Keith Grieves; 11. Coal David Howell; 12. Finance Jonathan Boff; Part III. People: 13. Labour, the labour party and the trades unions Chris Wrigley; 14. Enlistment and conscription Ian Beckett; 15. Charities Peter Grant; 16. Refugees Pierre Purseigle; 17. Prisoners of war and internees Panikos Panayi; Part IV. Production: 18. Munitions Gerard Charmley; 19. Clothing and uniforms Krisztina Robert; 20. Shipbuilding and ship repair Hugh Murphy; 21. Railways Christopher Phillips; 22. Seaborne trade and merchant shipping Martin Wilcox and David J. Starkey; 23. Food Mary Elisabeth Cox; Part V. Social Impacts: 24. Press and propaganda David Monger; 25. Pacifism Martin Ceadel; 26. Homes and families Maggie Andrews; 27. Crime and policing Louise A. Jackson; 28. Children Rosie Kennedy; 29. The home front as war front Susan R. Grayzel; 30. The United Kingdom in 1919 Martin Daunton.
