Question

explain the impact of the first world war on Britain?

Answer 1

he effects of WW1 on America were wide-ranging covering the political, economic and social impact the Great War had on the United States. Unlike the countries of Europe, the factories and home of the US had not been destroyed. Manufacturing, production and efficiency had increased through necessity during the Great War. America had emerged as a world industrial leader and the US economy was booming, profits were increasing which led to the period in American history called the Roaring Twenties with a massive rise in consumerism for the wealthy.
On the negative side, inflation was high and companies and corporations started the reduce wages and lay off workers to keep down operating costs. The power of the Unions had grown during the war, workers protested and 1919 saw a massive wave of strikes. Competition for employment led to racial unrest and race riots breeding hatred and suspicion which spilled over into the Red Scare and the fear of communism. The introduction of Prohibition led to the  rise of organized crime, speakeasies, gangsters, increased violence and massive political corruption.

Answer 2

Britain which was a leading economy of the world before the First World War faced a prolonged crisis

(i) While Britain was pre-occupied with war, industries had developed in Japan and India. After the war, Britain found it difficult to

recapture its earlier position.

{ii) Britain has borrowed liberally from the USA for its war time expenditure, thus at the end of the war, Britain was burdened with huge external debt.

(iii) After the war, production contracted which led to huge job losses. In 1921, one in every

five British workers was out of work. Anxiety and uncertainty about work became an ,

enduring part of the post-war time.