The World Wars and Social Security

 

The World Wars and Social Security

The first half of the twentieth century was a period of great progress because of the development of science and technology. But this progress was matched by disasters of the highest magnitude. The First World War started in the year 1914, paralyzed the normal life of people all over the world. By the effort of Woodrow Wilson, President of U.S.A, the War came to an end in 1918. In 1936, the Second World War started and ended in 1945. Only then, the United Nations Organization was established. It played a prominent role to prevent large-scale war on several occasions.

Both these wars brought about great changes both in England and abroad. One of the effects of the First World War was the social leveling up. After the war the class felling was not so acute as it was before. The wealthy upper class could no longer enjoy all their luxuries as the State imposed on them many taxes. Slowly they lost the social and political leadership which they had been enjoying for generations. The mass production of clothes helped for social leveling. It enabled the working man’s wife to follow the fashions of the ladies of rank. The educational institutions played an effective role in realizing the social goal of a classless society.

The Second World War is described as a war of liberation, because it brought centuries old colonial rule to an end and paved the way for many nations to become independent. Thus the age old imperialism was gone and a new era of democracy was ushered in. An earnest attempt was made by the successive Government to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor to the minimum. Coal, gas wireless and air transport were brought under the State control. The State control was exercised in the agricultural methods and marketing in the establishment of factories, and the supply of raw materials.

Soon after the Second World War a general election was held in 1945 and the Labour Party with Clement Attlee as Prime Minister came into power. The Labour Government passed a number of Acts to ensure social security and welfare for the majority of people of the country. The Family Allowance Act helped the families to get allowance for their children of school-going age. In 1946, the National Insurance Act was passed according to which the contributions by workers and employers were raised. The National Health Service Act gave free medical service to old people. This system was a boon to the needy people to improve their health. The National Assistant Act was passed for the welfare of pensioners, physically disabled and patients.

In 1950, the Conservative Governments came to power. They followed the policy inaugurated by the Labour Government. Under the leadership of Anthony Eden, the government set up the Slum Clearance Scheme. Afterwards the Macmillan Ministry set up the Housing Corporation. Thus the way was prepared for England to become a welfare state.