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Memory of the war (Introduction: History is what the present chooses to…

- - - - MYTH : This myth lies in the exaggeration of the truth : The war brought people together yet there was no equity , the wealthy had safer shelters because they owned houses or gardens. The one from the highest social classes had the chance to move out. The trauma affected everyone but not the same way. Unity among people was not only born from their actions but from their common hatred for fascism and the Nazis (the coalition in the government is another example of strong unity) . Civilian intervention was consequential but not as much as it was told, (Battle of Dunkirk, battle of Britain). The photograph with the Milkman was staged to show that the British morale was not lowered. ---> morale was lowered, some moved into their shelters permanently and others were ready to surrender.
        
        Consequences of the PWM: let to a Labour Landslide, people wanted to see more of the changes in society that Began taking place during the war. 1945 Labour victory (surprised that Churchill had not been re elected). The Beverdige Report settled during the war and leading to victory and the settlement of the Welfare state (revolutionary). The myth made Britain proud of their achievements --> they successfully stood against Nazi Germany from the beginning to the end compared to France that surrendered, which strengthened the strong nationalist feeling in front of Europe
      - REALITY: Women were able to work and give a helping hand which gave them some importance during the war effort and also helped accelerated significant social changes. Women generally worked in factories WAAFs (Women's Auxiliary Air Force). Thy worked as stenographers and drivers in the Army transportation Service, The Royal Navy service. Unfortunately after the war they all lost their jobs.
      - Dunkirk
        
        REALITY: The British army fled without consideration for the Belgian and the French even claiming that they allies were too slow in their intervention.
        
        MYTH :
    - - The Churchillian and People's war myth were sometimes combined thus remembering the war as a combination of resilience solidarity and significant acts of courage and heroism. Things were looking Grim for Churchill but he didn't let it show, he had to look like he knew what he was doing.
        
        The relevance of the Churchillian Myth came later --> used by the Tories in the 8Os. The conservatives after consensus wanted less of a nanny state like Labour. Thatcher wanted a more independent and self reliable society the nation needed strong authoritarian leaders to make a difference. Thatcher has justified her actions by saying that she admired Winston Churchill (making the decision no one dared to make). Her decision regarding the Falklands was not popular yet she sent a torpedo. Churchillian myth also contributed to a nationalist feeling
      - REALITY : They were imperfections he made strategic mistakes. Dunkirk relied on bombing Stalin dealt with it, he knew Brian would not win on her own, Propaganda, needed to rely on allies (Land-lease agreement: weapons with no intervention US and USSR in 1941)had to make the war last until then. However people did trust Churchill that he would lead them to victory.
        
        MYTH: he was a good war leader he did unite the nation (coalition government keeping things as normal as possible for the sake of habits and the people's morale). Making allies as well: US, Russia and France.