Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn about the First World War through the lens of its imperial dimension. They analyse the reasons for the outbreak of war and assess how it affected Britain at home and abroad.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain the ways in which life changed across Britain for different people during the war.

Key Notes

• WWI had a significant impact on life in Britain.
• The government took control of key industries such as railways, shipping and coal mining.
• Large numbers of men in Britain volunteered to fight in the war before conscription was introduced in 1916.
• Calls for Irish independence were delayed by the outbreak of war.
• A large number of women entered the workforce to replace the men that had gone to fight in the war.

Vocabulary To Learn

• partition: when a country is divided into at least two smaller states/countries
• rationing: governments can introduce rationing to allow people to have a fixed amount of something - usually food or other goods
• censorship: censorship is when a government or organisation prevents the sharing of information or ideas that are considered 'unsuitable'
• Home Rule: Home Rule is when a country is given some independence, usually in the form of their own government
• munitions: munitions are military weapons or equipment needed for military weapons

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• The war had very little impact on Ireland.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Growing international tension in the early 1900s Study Guide
• The First World War in the colonies Study Guide
• The impact of WWI across the Empire Study Guide
• The outbreak of war in 1914 Study Guide
• The Western Front in WW1 Study Guide