Rationing

Rationing

1. National 5 History: Era of the Great War Rationing in World War One

2. Today’s lesson We are consolidating our knowledge and understanding of the impact of rationing in World War One. By the end of today’s lesson I should be able to: Describe the steps taken to improve food supplies to Britain during the war. Explain why rationing was introduced during the war. Today’s lesson involves: Note taking Propaganda poster task Planning a National 5 level answer

3. What is Rationing? Rationing  is the controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods, services, or an artificial restriction of demand. It often involves the food that a person receives. Rationing was introduced by the British Government to stop British food running out during the war. It was introduced in 1917, the first product to be rationed was Sugar. This was followed by meat, flour, butter and milk.

4. Why was rationing introduced? In your jotter create a new mind-map in your jotter with the question: ‘Why was rationing introduced?’ and take notes as we go through the slides. Remember do not copy the notes just take brief notes on each topic.

5. German naval blockade One of the key reasons why rationing was introduced was due to the German naval blockade. This was one of the key military tactics used by Germany in the war, they hoped to starve Britain by cutting off their resources to force the countries surrender. Numerous Scottish merchant ships were sunk by the U-Boats this included ships such as the St Margaret (in 1917) and the St Magnus (sunk in 1918). The impact of the German naval blockade was that less food that was available in Britain hence why the Government had to introduce certain measures before rationing.

6. Food prices The German naval blockade caused food prices to skyrocket. Between 1914 to 1917 the following price changes happened: Cheese and egg prices increased by 45%. Potatoes doubled in price. Milk and sugar prices increased by 25%. The impact of this was that people started panic-buying which increased the shortage and many people were angry at the increases in prices. How would you feel about this price increases? Could you cope without these food groups?

7. Public anger to increasing food prices. The Scottish public were angry at price increases and food shortages which occurred due to the naval blockades. In Glasgow in 1917 around 2000 women took part in a protest march against the shortage of potatoes. However it must be noted that some used this march as a protest against the war. Some people came up with new ways of making food such as using turnips to make bread. The Government also introduced new recipe suggestions such as using potatoes to make cakes, buns and scones. The impact of this was that people started to turn against the Government and the Government’s policies needed high levels of public support. Would you have joined these protests?

8. Impact of the Western Front One problem that the Government faced was that they had to feed people at home and the soldiers on the Western Front. They had to make sure they had adequate food supplies so they had to work on ways to improve food supplies and stop wastage. One of the ways that the Government sought to stop wastage was introducing a law through DORA which banned people from feed wild animals with food objects such as stale bread. The need for new soldiers also led to a vast decrease in the amount of male farm workers available. The impact of this was that women had to take up the farming jobs to ensure that the country did not run out of food with 22,000 women worked in farming in 1914.

9. Propaganda Campaigns The Government set up a propaganda campaign to try and improve the country’s food supplies. Certain groups such as the Scottish Women’s Land Army used newspaper adverts to recruit women, including in publications such as the Inverness Courier. Rationing was introduced alongside these campaigns. What do you think the impact of Propaganda was? – Write a short answer in your jotter.

10. Task 1 – Propaganda poster task Look at the following three propaganda posters and add the following information to your propaganda section of your mind-map. What is the message of the poster? Why do you think the Government is pushing this message?

11. Impact of Rationing: Allotments The Government ordered new allotments to be set up in towns and cities across Scotland, many of which are still used today. In Glasgow examples include allotments in Merrylee , Queen’s Park and Springburn . Often public parkland was used to set up the allotments which proved unpopular with some residents. For example, Inverkeith allotments in Edinburgh used land from Inverleith park which faced strong public opposition. The impact of this was that food could now be grown at home but there was public objections to the program.

12. The Introduction of Rationing Take a separate section from your mind map and write down the following heading. In 1917, the Government introduced rationing to help their food supply crisis. One of the many reasons why this was introduced was to make sure people got enough food to stop them being ill. A Ration book was introduced to show how much of each product a person was allowed/had already received. Breaking the rules of rationing could lead to getting a fine or going to prison. Despite the Government’s best efforts an illegal black market on food supplies started across the country. Rationing was successful as Britain’s food supplies stabled in comparison to the food supply crises which were happening in Germany and Russia.

13. Ration book Below is a ration book belonging to an Edinburgh women known as Harriet Mackay. What do you think the ration book is informing it’s owner about?

14. Exam Question Explain the reasons why rationing was introduced during the Great War – 6 Marks