- Define and explain Britain in the Second World War in your own words
- Use key terms such as Alliance accurately
- Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
- Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic
This lesson focuses on Britain in the Second World War: the Blitz, Dunkirk and the home front, 1939-1945.
The Blitz, Dunkirk and the home front, 1939-1945.
Key ideas
The Second World War reached everyone
Unlike earlier wars, the Second World War struck civilians directly: the Blitz bombed British cities, rationing reshaped daily life, and women entered factories and services in huge numbers. 'Total war' meant the home front was a front line too.
The peace of 1919 sowed future conflict
The Treaty of Versailles punished Germany with the 'war guilt' clause, reparations and lost territory. Many Germans felt humiliated, and economic collapse in the Depression years helped extremists like Hitler win support. Historians debate how directly Versailles caused the Second World War — but few deny it mattered.
Key term — Alliance: An agreement between countries to support each other. Rival alliance systems helped turn a Balkan crisis into a world war.
What does 'total war' mean? Give one example.
A war involving the whole society and economy; e.g. the Blitz bombing British cities, or rationing on the home front.
Answer: A war involving the whole society and economy; e.g. the Blitz bombing British cities, or rationing on the home front.
- Blaming the First World War on one country or person The war had multiple interacting causes. Even the assassination only led to war because alliances and war plans turned a local crisis into a continental one.
- Saying appeasement was simply stupid British leaders feared another war, worried about the economy, and believed Germany had genuine grievances. Judging appeasement requires understanding their constraints, not just hindsight.
Practice
Rival alliance systems and the naval arms race (also: militarism, imperial rivalry, nationalism).
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.
The war guilt clause blaming Germany, reparations payments, or territorial losses (any one).
Giving in to Hitler's demands, e.g. at Munich, to avoid war.
Quick check
Which of these best defines "Alliance"?
Why did the Depression help Hitler?
- Britain in the Second World War: the Blitz, Dunkirk and the home front, 1939-1945.
- The Second World War reached everyone: Unlike earlier wars, the Second World War struck civilians directly: the Blitz bombed British cities, rationing reshaped daily life, and women entered factories and services in huge numbers.
- Total war: A war involving a country's whole society and economy, not just its armies — as in both world wars.
- Watch out for: blaming the First World War on one country or person