Politics 3 (1914-39):
, Military Developments:
● 1914: Patriotism and optimism. Kitchener’s “Britain Needs YOU!” recruitment
campaign was very effective and recruited around 750,000 by September 1914.
Volunteers enlisted with the promise that the war would be ‘over by Christmas’.
● 1915: Huge demands placed on weapons as ‘shell shortage’ occurred. Massive
numbers of casualties allowed military commanders to place pressure on the
government to extend volunteer forces by introducing conscription.
● 1916: Battle of the Somme and Verdun caused the casualty rate to multiply. Asquith’s
government gave way to pressure and introduced the Military Services Act 1916
enforcing conscription for men aged 18-40.
● 1917: German U-Boat attacks leave Britain one month away from starvation. The
1917 Russian revolution led them to withdraw from the war. The USA joined in 1917.
● 1918: Britain and her allies won the war by autumn but were severely economically
damaged.
Political Developments:
● 1914: Defence of the Realm Act passed. Massively expanded state power. Limited
freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and other freedoms.
● 1916: Liberals split over Asquith’s leadership in the war. Asquithian Liberals and DLG
coalition Liberals.
● 1918: The Maurice Debate exposed the depth of the Liberal Split. The 1918
Representation of the People Act gave universal male suffrage, and suffrage to
women over 30 with property qualifications.
Challenges for Asquith as a wartime Prime Minister:
● Asquith’s Weak Leadership:
○ Lost overall Liberal majority in 1910, relying on coalitions to pass legislation.
○ Took a hands-off approach during the war, leaving military planning to
Kitchener and Churchill.
○ Seen as indecisive and out of touch, unwilling to adopt interventionist policies
like conscription or rationing due to Liberal ideology.
○ Mounting casualties in trench warfare eroded public confidence in his
leadership.
● The Shell Scandal (1915):
○ Acute shortage of shells exposed government failings, despite Asquith
claiming supplies were sufficient.
○ The Times blamed the government for complacency, sparking outrage.
○ Churchill resigned after the failed Gallipoli campaign, further damaging
Asquith’s administration.
● Formation of Wartime Coalition (1915):
○ Under pressure, Asquith formed a coalition government with Conservatives
and Labour.
, Military Developments:
● 1914: Patriotism and optimism. Kitchener’s “Britain Needs YOU!” recruitment
campaign was very effective and recruited around 750,000 by September 1914.
Volunteers enlisted with the promise that the war would be ‘over by Christmas’.
● 1915: Huge demands placed on weapons as ‘shell shortage’ occurred. Massive
numbers of casualties allowed military commanders to place pressure on the
government to extend volunteer forces by introducing conscription.
● 1916: Battle of the Somme and Verdun caused the casualty rate to multiply. Asquith’s
government gave way to pressure and introduced the Military Services Act 1916
enforcing conscription for men aged 18-40.
● 1917: German U-Boat attacks leave Britain one month away from starvation. The
1917 Russian revolution led them to withdraw from the war. The USA joined in 1917.
● 1918: Britain and her allies won the war by autumn but were severely economically
damaged.
Political Developments:
● 1914: Defence of the Realm Act passed. Massively expanded state power. Limited
freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and other freedoms.
● 1916: Liberals split over Asquith’s leadership in the war. Asquithian Liberals and DLG
coalition Liberals.
● 1918: The Maurice Debate exposed the depth of the Liberal Split. The 1918
Representation of the People Act gave universal male suffrage, and suffrage to
women over 30 with property qualifications.
Challenges for Asquith as a wartime Prime Minister:
● Asquith’s Weak Leadership:
○ Lost overall Liberal majority in 1910, relying on coalitions to pass legislation.
○ Took a hands-off approach during the war, leaving military planning to
Kitchener and Churchill.
○ Seen as indecisive and out of touch, unwilling to adopt interventionist policies
like conscription or rationing due to Liberal ideology.
○ Mounting casualties in trench warfare eroded public confidence in his
leadership.
● The Shell Scandal (1915):
○ Acute shortage of shells exposed government failings, despite Asquith
claiming supplies were sufficient.
○ The Times blamed the government for complacency, sparking outrage.
○ Churchill resigned after the failed Gallipoli campaign, further damaging
Asquith’s administration.
● Formation of Wartime Coalition (1915):
○ Under pressure, Asquith formed a coalition government with Conservatives
and Labour.
