The First and Second World Wars: the beginnings of ‘total war’, including…

The idea

This topic examines how the two World Wars moved Britain towards 'total war': the mobilisation of the whole population and economy, not just the armed forces. Learn three linked strands. First, impact on people's lives: conscription from 1916 and again from 1939, rationing, bombing of civilians, evacuation, and the changed work of women in munitions and auxiliary services. Second, increased state power: the Defence of the Realm Act 1914, government control of railways, mines and food supply, and wartime emergency legislation after 1939. Third, the changing relationship between state and people: the state now directed labour, taxed and rationed, but also promised welfare and reconstruction, which helps explain post-war reform. Link cause to consequence: total war required mass consent and coercion, so the state intervened more deeply in everyday life than ever before.

What earns the marks

• Identifies that 'total war' means the mobilisation of the whole population and economy, not only the armed forces.
• Explains one way the First or Second World War affected people's everyday lives, such as conscription, rationing or evacuation.
• Describes one example of increased state power, such as the Defence of the Realm Act 1914 or government direction of labour and industry.
• Explains how wartime state action changed the relationship between the state and the people, for example through welfare promises or compulsory direction of work.
• Links a wartime measure to a later consequence, such as post-war welfare reform.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Treats 'total war' as simply meaning a large army.

  Put it right by explaining that it involves the whole population and economy.

• Assumes the state only took power without giving anything back.

  Put it right by noting wartime promises of welfare and reconstruction.

• Confuses the First and Second World Wars by giving a measure from the wrong conflict.

  Put it right: Check the date of each policy before using it.

• Describes a wartime measure without linking it to people's lives or state power.

  Put it right: Connect the measure to one of the three strands.

Exam tips

• Read the question stem carefully to see which strand it targets: people's lives, state power, or the state-people relationship.
• Eliminate options that describe peacetime policy or a measure from outside the stated period.
• Where two options seem plausible, choose the one that best links a wartime measure to its consequence.
• Check dates on any legislation before selecting it, since the two wars produced different laws.