The effects of the First World War on production and workers

How much changed? A very significant change during the war 1914 – “laissez-faire” – hardly any state regulation – “business as usual” – avoided compulsion, in order to keep up morale By 1918 – the state was virtually running the economy, directly or through agreements After the war – a return to low intervention by the government. Coal mining was the last industry to revert to private control.

What was needed for the war effort? Munitions, uniforms and vehicles Coal for lighting, heating and the railways Transportation of troops and weapons Self-sufficiency in food

Munitions, uniforms and vehicles In 1915, the Daily Mail revealed a “shells shortage” on the Western Front Lloyd George was made Minister of Munitions Using the Defence of the Realm Act, he gained power over the purchase, production and supply of all war materials 187 million shells and nearly 121,000 machine guns by 1918

What controls were needed to achieve this? A central purchasing system for raw materials New factories and conversion of existing ones to increase production of goods Railways, docks and mines came under state control (owners were guaranteed compensation at level of 1913 profits) to distribute goods

Self-sufficiency in food Main problem was Britain’s former dependence on imported food Department of Food Production gave subsidies for conversion to arable, distributed scarce supplies of fertilisers, etc Convoy system 1917 protected imports from U-boats

Control of workers War required an influx of women and semi-skilled workers to replace men The unions and the government made “dilution agreements” – high production and avoidance of strikes, in return for wage agreements, controls on rents and, above all, promises to give skilled men their former jobs at former wages

Conclusion War socialism came about more slowly than in WW2, when it happened straight away. Yet gradually the government did accept the need for a high level of control After the war, industry, agriculture and worker freedoms returned to normal.