It is 1 July 1916. At 7:30am, whistles blow along a twelve-mile front and 100,000 British soldiers climb out of their trenches and walk forward into German machine-gun fire. By nightfall, 57,000 British men are casualties — 19,240 dead. It is the worst single day in the history of the British Army. Back home in Britain, the news is censored, the newspapers run lists of "glorious dead," and women in factories are working twelve-hour shifts making the shells that are supposed to be winning the war. This topic covers the Britain that went to war in 1914 — and the Britain that emerged from it in 1918. The two countries were very different.
This introduction covers Setting the Scene within Britain in Peace and War, 1900-1918 for GCSE History. Revise Britain in Peace and War, 1900-1918 in Component Group 3 — British Depth Studies for GCSE History with 14 exam-style questions and 18 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 1 of 17 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Britain in Peace and War, 1900-1918
Describe four features of the wealth and class divide in Edwardian Britain around 1900. [4 marks]
Describe four features of the Liberal reforms introduced between 1906 and 1911. [4 marks]