1. Food supplies and rationing
Era of the Great War
Food supplies and rationing

2. Food supplies and rationing
In today’s class I am learning to:
Describe steps taken to improve food supplies in Britain during the war
Explain why rationing was introduced in Britain during the war

3. Food supplies and rationing
In order to stop Britain running out of food during the war, the British government took different steps to control the supply of food.

4. Food supplies and rationing
One of Germany’s tactics during the war was submarine warfare.
They tried to blockade Britain to stop food and other supplies getting in. The hope was to starve Britain, so forcing the country’s surrender and withdrawal from war.

5. Food supplies and rationing
The impact of Germany’s blockade meant there was less food available.
This result of this was an increase in food prices. In addition it caused panic buying as people worried about not having enough food for them or their family.

6. Food supplies and rationing
The government faced another food problem. At the same time as they had less food at home, they need more food to send to the soldiers.
As such various steps were taken to improve food supplies and also stop wastage.

7. Food supplies and rationing
Food supplies were also hurt by male farm workers going to war.
In order to replace them the government set up the Women’s Land Army, getting women to work on farms to ensure the country did not run out of food.

8. Food supplies and rationing
The government had a propaganda campaign to try and improve the country’s food supplies.
Posters encouraged people to not waste food, and also to take steps such as growing their own vegetables in their gardens.

9. Food supplies and rationing

10. Food supplies and rationing
One Defence of the Realm Act (DORA) rule affected food in Britain.
It became illegal to feed wild animals (such as horses or ducks) with stale bread. This was to prevent food being wasted. Being caught often led to a fine.

11. Food supplies and rationing
To save supplies, people came up with new ways to cook and make food.
By 1916 some people used turnips to make bread. Also the government issued new recipe suggestions, such as using potatoes to make cakes and buns.

12. Food supplies and rationing

13. Food supplies and rationing
By 1917 more action was needed to improve the food supply.
Some products were in low supply, and many people could not afford the increased prices. The government worried about possible violent revolts and protests.

14. Food supplies and rationing
In December 1917 the government introduced rationing (giving people a fixed amount of food).
Sugar was the first product to be rationed but others were soon added to the list, such as meat, flour, margarine, butter and milk.

15. Food supplies and rationing
Rationing was introduced because:
U-boats were reducing supplies
Food price increases were unaffordable for many people
Protests about food shortages were feared

16. Food supplies and rationing
Other reasons included:
There was a need to ensure a good food supply for soldiers
To stop ill health due to a lack of food
Propaganda campaigns had failed to stop wastage

17. Food supplies and rationing
A ration book was introduced to show how much of each product a person was allowed and had already received.
Breaking rationing rules could result in a fine or going to prison, however a black market in illegal food supply started.

18. Food supplies and rationing
After rationing, food supplies in the country remained stable and most people had roughly the same calorie intake under rationing as beforehand.
This was in contrast to major food supply crises in Germany and Russia.