Effects Of Blitz From The British People example essay topic

The British Government tried to hide the effects of the Blitz by using censors to cut out information damaging to morale by only allowing positive information about how people were coping with the Blitz through making use of The Ministry of Information and propaganda methods. These were all aimed at securing the continued support of the British people and to limit any damaging information the enemy might find useful. Censors were people who studied newspapers and films. They cut out damaging information and worked for the government or the Ministry of Information. Censors did not allow newspapers to publish stories and photos reporting high civilian casualties in areas bombed by the Germans, these were also not allowed to be published by the ministry of information. Censors did not allow the public to see photographs taken in November 1940 showing people arguing in the streets of Coventry over who owned various pieces of property following a bombing raid on that area.

A report showing people running away from Coventry to countrysides to sleep wasn't shown either in an attempt to hide the effects of the Blitz. Reports of people panicking were hidden as report showing people of Coventry in a hysterical state, unable to cope with another night of bombing was banned. This is something to suggest that chaos was spreading everywhere and consequently the Government had to block out more negative information from the people of Britain. A further example of this is when a report describing the breakdown of morale and law order following the bombing of a naval base in Portsmouth was never published. After all it showed the police unable to stop looting and rioting.

All such reports may have a damaging effect on morale When a Catford girls school was bombed in January 1943 photographs showing scenes of bodies in sacks were again banned from being published. This needed to be hidden by the government and so reports were never seen. Reports of people feeling hopeless and bitter were not allowed, as it was feared this might help Hitler succeed in his aim of breaking morale so information like this had to be censored to avoid the enemy getting hold of it. The government tried to hide the effects of the Blitz by banning stories, photos and reports that portray negative information that might show the Germans successfully destroying people's morale and damaging cities. The government feared that if people saw the devastation, panic and disorder they might think they were losing the war and so give up. As a result the British Government limited such information because they needed to maintain public morale to continue with the war.

If the public saw a lot of these stories then they might begin to question the chance of victory. Combined with this cutting out of information, the Ministry of Information's censors allowed people to see the positive stories and images of the effects of the Blitz. This was in attempt to hide the effects of the Blitz. The Ministry of Information encouraged newspapers so show photos of people smiling and giving victory signs and portrayed the British to be victorious and courageous in the war against the nazi's.

Whilst the devastation of the German bomb raids were never seen by the public, the reports received in newspapers rejoiced and sometimes exaggerated the number of Luftwaffe shot down. Newspapers showed the heroic work of the emergency services and the ARP wardens giving help and trying to rescue people in bombed areas. Reports also showed the positive ness of people sticking together, helping each other through terrible conditions and danger they faced. They were also shown carrying on with daily business in bombed areas and singing songs of victory.

The government tried to hide the effect of the Blitz from the people by allowing only positive information such as stories, photographs and reports which showed the British people coping commendably with the Blitz. Instead of mentioning the devastation and commotion, the government wanted people to see how everyone was staying united during the horrific nazi attacks. The British government wanted to send inspiration out to others of these courageous act and hope that these stories would give others hope to continue. Essentially censors and the Ministry of Information encouraged the positive stories for war so that people would see these inspiring stories and continue to support the war. The Ministry of Information also carried out a propaganda campaign in which posters, films and newspapers to make sure people would support the war. The role of the Ministry of Information was to inform people about the war and at the same time maintain morale.

Rather than reporting effects of bombing the government used these to keep up morale and showed how people could support war effort. The Ministry of Information made sure that in newspapers reels emphasised the certainty of beating Hitler. People working for the Ministry of Information often wrote articles or letters in the newspapers, which talked about the courage and unity of the British people. Radio programmes were made which showed people to look on the bright side of life such as a major hit called 'Its that man again', which poked fun at Hitler. The ministry of Information also used filmmakers such as Humphrey Jennings to make films to build morale. These films showed life after the victory of war.

They didn't just inform but inspire. The government went to such extremes to hide the effects of the Blitz that they even faked photographs to make sure people still hated the Germans. For example, flames and clouds were added to St Paul's Cathedral in a photo to show everything truly British was under attack and must be defended. This made the British people more determined. The Government tries to hide the effect of the Blitz from the people by producing lots of films, stories and reports which encouraged people to support the war effort rather than think of the problems the Blitz was causing.

By producing stories of heroic events the government was trying to set examples which would overcome depression of British people about the Blitz. The Ministry of Information's campaign was particularly important in order to prevent the German propaganda campaign of 'Lord Haw Haw' destroying British people's confidence. the British propaganda campaign was vital in order to maintain public morale needed for the war. It is simple to say that the British were acting dishonestly in hiding information of the effect of the Blitz that might be damaging to the morale of the British people. It can also easily be said that the propaganda campaign emphasising British success and a united and courageous Britain did not actually imitate the truth of the situation.

The British facing the Blitz with courage and heroism can in some ways be seen as a gross exaggeration if not a complete lie. However, with Britain being at total war civilians would clearly find it difficult to cope with devastations of cities homes and thousands of casualties and so support is vital to keep up morale and war effort. Consequently the British government would naturally promote a population in support for war effort to show the enemy that they are not successful. In a sense then it is understandable why the British Government tried to hide the effects of Blitz from the British people.