What new powers did the government have in 1914?

1. What new powers did the government have in 1914? How did these powers affect civilians?

2. I know there is a war on, but it should be “Business as usual.”

3. In 1914, parliament passed a law which gave the government “special powers”. The Defence of the Realm Act [DORA] The government can have special powers during war to control different aspects of people’s lives.

4. D Remember, DORA gave the government “special powers” to control people’s lives! efence O f the R ealm A ct

5. DORA powers! The government were worried about the fact that too many workers drank at lunchtime and then stayed in the pub all afternoon. This would damage war production.

6. DORA powers! So, the government used its DORA powers to limit pub opening times from 12.00p.m. – 2.30p.m. and 6.30p.m. – 9.30p.m. in the evening.

7. DORA powers! They also watered down beer and raised the price of beer to make it hard to get drunk. It was also illegal to buy a drink for other people. Sorry mate, I would live to buy you a drink but it’s against the law! Now with added water!

8. DORA powers! Morning Post, 14 March 1916 At Southampton yesterday Robert Smith was fined for treating his wife to a glass of wine in a local pub. He said his wife gave him sixpence to pay for her drink. Mrs Smith was also fined £1 for consuming and Dorothy Brown, the barmaid, £5 for selling the intoxicant, contrary to the regulations of the Liquor Control Board. These were big fines for 1916.

9. King George V It is without doubt largely due to drink that we are unable to secure the output of war material needed for the army. I will set the example by giving up all alcoholic liquor and issue orders against its consumption in the Royal Household, so that no difference shall be made between the treatment of rich and poor.

10. DORA powers! It’s still light so I can work longer hours! The government introduced ‘British Summer Time’ to create an extra hour of daylight so workers, especially on farms had longer to work.

11. DORA powers! Oh good, everything is going really well in the trenches. The government were given the power to censor newspapers and soldier’s letters so that the British public never knew the truth about how bad the war was!

12. DORA powers! Lighting laws made sure that street lights were blackened out so that German Zeppelins and bombers would not be able to see the towns and cities.

13. DORA powers! The government have increased income tax from 1 shilling 6 pence in the pound to 6 shillings. Aaaaagh!!!!

14. The government encouraged people to lend them money by buying war savings certificates.

15. DORA powers! The government took control of the coal industry. Profits were fixed and the government took any surplus. Miners were told not to join the army. All miners were paid the same.

16. DORA powers! In 1915, the Daily Mail reported that there was a shortage of shells, bullets and guns. So, the government set up a Ministry of Munitions headed by Lloyd George.

17. LLOYD GEORGE LG set up new munitions factories Soon the government controlled 20,000 munitions factories and those who worked there.

18. DORA powers! The government took control of the railways so that troops and supplies could be moved quickly. Railway companies were guaranteed a profit by the government.

19. DORA powers! In 1916 the government set up a Ministry of Shipping to control merchant ships for vital imports. They ran the docks and all supply links.

20. DORA powers! In 1917 the Germans used U-boats to destroy ships heading towards Britain with vital food!

21. The government introduced a convoy system. Merchant ships were protected by war ships. It worked. Oh drat, zer are too many szhips to zink now. Those clever British!