The UK in the wars of the 20th century

The monarchs of the 20th century

1901 – after the death of Queen Victoria – King Edward YII.

1910-1935 - George Y. he had 5 sons and a daughter. During the war in 1914 he visited the front in France several times. Enjoyed affection and admiration of the public. He changed the official name of the reigning dynasty from the House of Saxe-Coburg to the House of Widsor.

1935 – Edward YIII abdicated for love to a woman

1936 - George YI – his reign saw the evolution of the British Empire into the Commonwealth of Nations. His elder daughter Elizabeth, born 1930, succeeded him in 1952

1952 – Elizabeth II. Married to Prince Philip. They have 4 children: Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward

The UK in the wars of the 20th century

1) South Africa (1899-1902) the Boer Wars. The main results: unfitness of much of the male population for active service; an impetus to the search for reliable allies abroad; a fillip to improve the conditions of the people at home – education, industry development.

2) WW I (1914-1918) “War to end all wars”. 10 mln. people were killed; chemical weapons were used; tanks, aeroplanes took part in battles; plastic surgery was introduced.

3) Economic crisis of the 1930s

4) Germany; the Era of Appeasement

5) WWII (1939-1945).

6) 1950-1953 – in support of the UN Britain intervened in the Korean War

7) 1982 – the Falklands War (rapid victory re-established the reputation of its armed forces)

8) 1990-1991 – the Gulf War (lasted for 6 weeks. 24 died)

9) 1999 – Britain took part in the bombing of Serbia during the dispute over Kosovo.

Internationally Britain’s role was reduced from a first-rank imperial power to an unhesitating ally of one of its former colonies – the USA

WWI. There were many reasons for the outbreak of World War I but it was mainly due to the ambition and aggression of the German leader, Keiser Wilhelm II. On August 4^th, 1914 his army invaded Belgium, one of Britain’s allies, and war was declared. Many people did not understand why they were at war but they were determined to teach Germany a lesson and believed they would win the war by Christmas. For many young men it seemed like a chance for a great adventure and the army said if they joined up with their friends they could fight together in what were called the “Pals Regiments”. When these men reached France a new reality hit them; they would not be home by Christmas and they were fighting a different kind of battle – trench warfare. Seeking cover from the bombardment of the guns both armies dug trenches and waited. The soldiers only went “over the top” to fight when their officers told them the time was right. The trenches were frightful. They were cold, wet, full of mud and full of lice and rats. The constant bombardment caused illness in men whose nervous system could no longer cope with the endless noise – shell shock.

The war turned out to be a great tragedy for the British. On July 1^st 1916, 19 240 British troops died and many thousands more were injured – it was the single worst day in British military history. The “Pals regiments” trained and died together. It was said that they were two years in training and ten minutes in the destroying. The Government introduced conscription which meant that it became compulsory for any man aged 18 and over to fight. Women took over their jobs and any man who didn’t go willingly ran the risk of being given a white feather in public – the sign of cowardice.

The families and friends left at home had little idea of the horror in the trenches and troops were encouraged not to tell them in their letters about the conditions because it was bad moral and most of them did not want to upset their loved ones. By 1918 practically every family in Britain had lost someone they knew but then on the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month the Armistice was signed bringing an end to the war. The Keiser gave up his throne and Germany recognized defeat. People in Britain vowed that the glorious dead would not be forgotten. Today memorials stand tall remembering the dead. All over the country people attend services to remember those who have laid down their lives. For the two weeks prior to the 11^th people wear poppies and the money raised from their sale goes to the British Royal Legion who help care for war veterans.

WW II.In the beginning of the thirties the economic crisis spread over Britain. In Germany the resentment of the masses was exploited by Nazi demagogues for their nationalist and militarist propaganda. Hitler came to power in 1933. In 1940 after the capitulation of France Hitler began to make preparations to invade Britain. In September 1940 intensive bombing of British cities began. The aim was to try and make the country surrender. The attacks caused serious damage and took many lives. Rationing was introduces to make the supplies of food go as long as possible because Britain didn’t produce enough food to feed everyone.

In the spring 1941 the raids ended as Hitler moved his forces east to prepare for the invasion of the Soviet Union. This changed the whole content of the war. The decisive role of the Soviet Union led to the downfall of Hitlerism. In the summer of 1944 the so called “second front” was opened. It was a successful united strategy of the Soviet Union, Britain and the USA. The fascists surrendered unconditionally in May 1945

Date: 2016-04-22; view: 700