Essay On Social & Economic Impact On Civilians (WW2)

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Assess the social and economic impact of WW2 on civilians in Britain and Germany. 22/25

marks The social and economic impacts on both Britain and Germany during World War II were incredibly explosive, yet Britain ultimately fared better in the face-off of morale and industry. The consequences of the air war and bombings saw extreme levels of death and destruction in both nations, with intense fear widespread throughout civilian populations. However, although British morale fundamentally stood strong, German populations were becoming disillusioned and depressed. In addition to this, the economic failures of Germany in comparison to the somewhat stable path Britain forged pre- and post-war were catastrophic, the decrease in German industry a viable reason for Allied success. Thus, WWII had an extreme impact on both the social and economic spheres of British and German populations, yet the former proved stronger. The British civilian population was heavily impacted by World War II and its subsequent air war, intense fear and paranoia inspired by Germany a viable competitor in their fight to disable English morale. The Battle of Britain, an air war of epic proportions, saw 40,000 civilians killed, and extremely fractured families – 1.5 million children were evacuated to the countryside over three months. The Axis bombings over London and greater England led to a decrease in the previous solemn but determined attitudes of the British people –WW1 experience caused familiar battle scars and they understood total war was inevitable and stood to face it. Furthermore, the lack of social contact and increase in isolation due to bomb shelters and the razing to the ground of thousands of homes and factories had an extremely negative impact. However, Prime Minister Winston Churchill tried to inspire a ‘we can take it’ tagline, compelling the civilians to brave the 57 consecutive nights of bombing over London during the Blitz and the frequent black outs. Historian Liddell Hart highlights this, stating that the Blitz failed in its mission of destroying the British morale, a factor that would have devasted the home front efforts of the allied powers. Thus, although the bombing of Britain did have bleak consequences on the morale of the public, the social might of Britain stood strong in the face of adversity