The Impact of the Second World War on British Society

Impact of the War on the Economy

Comprehensive restructuring of British economy. The wartime economy became geared towards mass production of armaments and essential supplies, leading to the establishment of a mixed economy model.
Decline in unemployment. The war essentially ended the depression of the 1930s, with full employment achieved due to war needs and the manpower required for the military.
Increase in state control and intervention. The war necessitated greater government intervention and planning in the economy, which outlasted the wartime and influenced subsequent peacetime policies.

Social Changes

War led to a surge in women’s participation in workforce. Traditional gender roles were challenged as women took on roles once reserved for men, leading to a change in societal attitudes.
Population displacement due to bombings led to temporary and sometimes persistent changes in the distribution of population.
The shared experience of suffering and endurance led to an increased demand for social equality. This sentiment was instrumental in the creation of a welfare state in the post-war period.

Political Changes

There was a clear shift towards Labour party in 1945 as the public demanded a break from the past and a commitment to welfare state policies.
The war period saw the loss of Britain’s territorial possessions and thus the catalyst for the end of the empire.
The need for unity and cooperation during the war resulted in greater regional integration and a move away from the previous trend of regional differentiation.

Cultural Changes

BBC became a dominant medium of communication, promoting a shared experience and national identity.
The war led to the rise of a mass reading culture due to the wider distribution of newspapers and mass-market paperbacks, transforming the cultural sphere.
Cultural manifestations of the war, such as wartime songs and films, rallied the spirits of the people, but also subtly reformulated the concepts of Britishness and what it meant to be British.
Intellectual trends were impacted by the war, with a rise in realism and downplaying of modernist elements in literature and arts as a response to the horrors of war.