Describe the effects of the blitz on everyday life in Britain?

Essay by threezeeHigh School, 10th gradeA, April 2005

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For the first time in modern days war had literally come home. All over cites in Europe, as the Nazis advanced, the Luftwaffe spread its wings and flew only ever intending to cause terror on the land below. France was taken, now even the far edges of Britain were in reach of the German bombers. No one was safe, so the government warned people in cities and implemented certain regulations to make people as safe as possible and reduce the chance of getting bombed by the Luftwaffe. Britain was prepared for the worst. But no one was prepared for the full and devastating effects of The Blitz.

From the beginning of the war a regulation that was imposed across cities throughout the UK, was The Blackout that was part of the ARP regulations, which intended to hinder the German bombers in the air. Houses, businesses and all buildings had to cover their windows so as to not allow any light to be shown.

This caused claustrophobia in the dark homes but a far worst problem was the fact that there were no lights in open areas. So there were no streetlights, no crossing lights and all vehicles travelled with one dimmed light, which was facing downward. Due to all these safety precautions there was a large number of people who sustained broken bones from mishaps in the dark as well as many people who had major injuries caused by serious traffic accidents. Although once the Germans started using incendiary bombs The Blackout became far less effective.

The Blitz did not only lower the morale of the British people by destroying their homes, flattening their streets and separating families but the effects of the bombing caused major disruption to everyday life. Civilians who returned to the surface, from the air raid...