The Defence of the Realm Act

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The Defence of the Realm Act

• 27th November 1914

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DORA

• Aim was the safety and security of the country
• Defined powers of the government
• Aims
• 1 - prevent communication with enemy
• 2 -Secure safety of ships, communications, ports,
  railways, forces etc
• 3 -prevent rumours and false information
  spreading

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(No Transcript)
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Outbreak of War

• Government worried about protecting railways,
  harbours, communications etc from spies and
  sabotage,
• Public to be vigilant for anyone suspicious

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• Government wanted to limit what people knew about
  the war and what was happening
• Aug. 1914 War Press Office established
• Limited reports of fighting and losses
• No reports allowed near front and letters home
  were censored

• Newspapers were also restricted as were early
  newsreels.
• Argument was that news of losses could help the
  enemy.
• There was often a difference between reports and
  reality.

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Example of US censored postcard- Britain had
similar restrictions
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Munitions

• 1915 munitions shortage because
• 1 -companies too small
• 2 -lack of materials such as metal and rubber
• So govt controlled supply of materials and set up
  own factories
• 1917 govt took control of coal industry

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Pubs

• Opening times shortened from 13 hours (excluding
  Sunday) before WW1 to 5½ in 1916
• Closed at 9pm no Sunday opening
• Close restrictions near munitions factories
• Said to have weakened beer and stopped the buying
  of rounds

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Highlands

• The aim was to give people the chance to grow
  food on land that wasnt used for war production.
• Govt. worried that food was in short supply
• There had been land disputes in the highlands

• DORA gave crofters the chance to farm on land and
  then after the war it would return to the owner
• Some refused to give the land back!
• This will be covered in the next part of the
  course.

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Opposition to DORA

• Govt could stop publication of criticism and
  imprison without trial
• The military was given the right to put civilians
  through a court martial.
• Anti war messages were suppressed- they were
  usually from left wing socialist groups
• Govt. could always hide behind the defence that
  their actions were for the war effort

• Some people argued that DORA was petty e.g.
  needed a permit to keep homing pigeons
• It was also said that it interfered with
  Britain's liberal traditions (civil liberties).
• Some felt there was too much interference in
  their lives and that genuine debate was being
  stifled e.g. anti-war debate

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• People who spoke out were classes as unpatriotic
• During Red Clydeside left wing newspapers were
  closed.
• ILP and Socialists were main critics of DORA
• John Maclean was arrested for speaking out
  against the govt. and spent time in prison

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• Conscription increased criticism of DORA as it
  was seen as more state control - Richard Lambert
  MP spoke out against it.
• Conscripted workers under military authority and
  discipline.
• They had no right to strike
• Maclean argued against conscription (page 75)
• Generally public supported the government