Defence of the Realm Act
GCSE History: Era of the Great War 1900-1928 National 5 Scottish Curriculum S3 Level
WALT & Success Criteria
We Are Learning To (WALT): Understand how the Defence of the Realm Act impacted civilian life during WWI Success Criteria: Explain what DORA was and when it was introduced Identify at least 3 key powers given to the government Analyse the impact on Scottish society and daily life Evaluate whether DORA was necessary for the war effort
Starter Activity: Emergency Powers
Imagine Britain is under threat - what emergency powers might the government need? Work in pairs: List 5 powers you think would be necessary Consider: Food, transport, information, movement, industry Share your ideas with the class
What was DORA?
Defence of the Realm Act passed August 1914 Emergency legislation giving government extraordinary powers Designed to protect Britain during wartime Applied to the whole of the United Kingdom including Scotland Expanded several times throughout the war
Key Powers Under DORA
{"left":"Control of railways and shipping\nCensorship of newspapers and letters\nControl of food production and distribution\nPower to requisition land and buildings","right":"Control of movement - passports required\nRegulation of pub opening hours\nControl of industrial production\nPower to intern suspected enemies"}
Think-Pair-Share
Which of DORA's powers do you think would have been most controversial? Why might people have accepted these restrictions? How might different groups in society have reacted?
Impact on Scottish Life
Censorship affected Scottish newspapers like The Scotsman Highland regiments' movements kept secret Whisky production restricted to save grain Fishing industry regulated - boats requisitioned Land requisitioned for military training in Scotland Gaelic speakers sometimes suspected as foreign spies
Contemporary Reaction
'The liberty of the subject has been suspended... but the nation accepted it as necessary for victory.' - The Times, 1918
Evaluation Task
Create a balanced argument: 'DORA was essential for Britain's survival in WWI' For: List evidence supporting this view Against: List evidence challenging this view Conclusion: Your overall judgment with reasons Use specific examples from Scottish experience
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