8th May 1945
VE DAY CLIP What is VE day?
VE Day commemorates the formal acceptance of Nazi Germany’s surrender by the allied forces at the end of the Second World War. On 30 April 1945, with Berlin surrounded by opposing forces, the leader of the Nazi party Adolf Hitler died by suicide. Karl DÜnitz succeeded him as the German head of state, going on to negotiate an end to the war with the allied forces, which was made up of nations including Britain, the US, France and Russia. While VE Day marks the surrender of Nazi Germany after six years of fighting, it did not signify the absolute end of the Second World War. Around the world, nations celebrate VE Day as a defeat of Nazi Germany. But in Germany, VE Day is both a day to remember victims of fascism and a moment to celebrate freedom from fascism. ... For years many Germans viewed May 8 as a day of defeat.
Victory in Europe 1945
BLITZ CLIP
Many people in Britain didn't wait for the official day of celebration and began the festivities as soon as they heard the news on 7 May. After years of wartime restrictions and dangers – from food and clothes rationing to blackouts and bombing raids – it was understandable how eager they were to finally be able to let loose and enjoy themselves. Colourful bunting and flags soon lined the streets of villages, towns and cities across Britain. On the eve of VE Day, bonfires were lit, people danced and the pubs were full of revellers.
Rationing CLIP
CONSEQUENCES OF WORLD WAR 2... Imperial War Museum Link
The war affected lives in lots of ways - what follows are some slides on just a few aspects social impacts, NHS, rebuilding and liberation.
During the war, Beveridge was appointed head of a committee charged with investigating social security in Britain. Beveridge was a social policy expert The Five Giants The committee, led by Beveridge, identified five major problems which prevented people from bettering themselves: ● ● ● ● ●
want (caused by poverty) ignorance (caused by a lack of education) squalor (caused by poor housing) idleness (caused by a lack of jobs, or the ability to gain employment) disease (caused by inadequate health care provision)
SOCIAL IMPACT
The Report The Committee’s Report on Social Insurance and Allied Services was published in December 1942. It became known as the Beveridge Report. The recommendations were for a system that would be: ● ● ● ● ●
comprehensive – cover all problems relating to poverty, from birth to death universal – available to all contributory – paid into from wages non-means tested – available to all, even if unable to pay compulsory – all workers were to contribute
By 1948 the NHS was born providing care for ALL ‘From cradle to grave’
The challenge of addressing the ‘Five Giants’ led to the establishment of the Welfare State under the Labour Government
The Birth of the NHS
REBUILDING after the War By 1945 it was estimated that around 750,000 new homes were required to meet demand in England and Wales alone, the result of the ongoing housing shortage as well as the loss of so many homes from bombing raids. Among short-term solutions was the construction of prefabricated aluminium housing in kitform, estimated to have a life of around ten years. In February 1944 the Minister of Aircraft Production, Sir Stafford Cripps, brought together representatives of the leading aircraft manufacturers in the country to discuss how they could help solve the housing crisis, recognising the industry possessed the necessary skills, technology and materials. This work was overseen nationally by the Aircraft Industries Research Organisation on Housing (AIROH) jointly formed by the Ministry of Aircraft Production and the Ministry of Works.
EP.1
BLITZ Street Tony Robinson
EP.3
EP.2
REBUILDING after the War
REBUILDING after the War https://youtu.be/KRD5nuKqruk
PREFABS LINK
Liberation of Paris
Liberation
From concentration and death camps
How can you be part of VE day celebrations during lockdown? Decorate the front of your home with Red / white / blue bunting Tea and cake in your front gardens with your neighbours Take some photos in black and white to recreate a 1945 feel! Share your celebration snaps with us ( tpreston@rodingvalley.net) Speak to a family member who might be old enough to remember VE day - find out what it was really like Watch the tv for some great programmes on World War Two and Victory in Europe day Find some recordings of celebration music from 1945
8th May 1945