Context – Social Reform 1930-1950

669 Words3 Pages
Up until the outbreak of war in 1939, British society had retained a rigid class structure, with the educated middle and upper classes tending to believe in their own moral and cultural superiority over the working classes. Proper models of behaviour were seen to emanate from this section of society, including correct pronunciation, table manners, appropriate dress and even the courting of wedding partners. With few exceptions, the holders of power and authority came from an upper class background and had a public school education. They saw themselves as the guardians of culture, and those lower down the social order seldom questioned their position. It was a social and cultural hierarchy that was largely self-policed, with members of different classes rarely willing or able to move to alternative social groupings. It was expected that people would conform to the values of their peer group, and any attempt to transcend this hierarchy was restricted by social convention. The Second World War The experience of the Second World War was to have a profound effect on the way British people saw themselves, both in terms of their role in society and in the expectations they had of their own quality of life. Even though Britain’s involvement in the war resulted in great hardships, it also led to many positive changes in British society. Through its efforts to win the war, the country experienced a powerful sense of unity. The government, realising the importance of morale in sustaining the war effort, actively encouraged this feeling through its own propaganda campaigns. Above all, there was a general belief that after the war Britain would be a better place. In spite of the sacrifices made to sustain the war effort, the population was confident that Britain would eventually see full employment, a universal education system, social welfare, a national health
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