The Impact of the Second World War on British Society, 1939-1951

The Second World War had an impact not only on British soldiers fighting in Europe, but also on the civilians living back in Great Britain. Between 1939 and 1951 the consequences of the war were felt by women, the elderly and children. Life in Great Britain was very difficult during the Second World War, and one reason for this was that the government needed to control many aspects of people's lives, including how much food they could eat, what clothes they could buy and where they could live. The government created new ministries which controlled how people acted and made decisions that were intended to keep them safer. There were some changes made during wartime that were rolled over into peacetime, such as rationing and the creation of the welfare state, which are examined in this title.