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Back to British values
The Rule of Law

The Rule of Law ensures that the laws and legal authorities of the UK have universal application, which means that everyone is treated equally.

In this lesson, students will learn how laws introduced during the First World War were passed to ensure the safety of all members of British society and provide equal access to food and materials.

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Why was it necessary to introduce rules during the war that affected daily life and actions?

1. Using the information about the Defence of the Realm Act (DORA)

Ask the students to create a grid with three columns with the headings:

DORA Restriction Reason Who it affected
e.g. Pub opening hours To stop people from drinking all day rather than helping with the war effort     Everyone that was old enough to drink alcohol

Are there any examples in the case studies of how DORA affected people’s lives?

2. Using the Food and rationing information

Ask the students to provide answers to the following questions:

– Were any groups particularly targeted in by the restrictions?
– Could anyone enforce the rules?
– Did anyone benefit from the restrictions?

Using the case studies try and answer the questions:

– How important was it that food reached those doing the fighting?
– How did food rationing affect people’s health?

3. From what you have learnt:

From the information that you have gathered, ask the students to sum up the purpose of DORA and the purpose of Food Rationing.

Ask other students if they think that there were alternatives to DORA and Food Rationing?

Ask the students to vote by a show of hands on whether DORA was needed during the war?

Ask the students to vote by a show of hands on whether ‘Food Rationing’ was fair during the war?

CONCLUSION

That is why equality and fairness before the law is important for everyone.

Related History Windows

Browse our history windows
The uncommon languages room. Letters written in any language in the world can be translated here. 1917. © IWM (Q 54150)

DORA

The effects of DORA were incredibly far reaching, with some of the rules and restrictions still having an impact on UK law and attitudes in the 21st century.

Ration book. Jacob Rudolph Muranski. Leeds, 24 October 1918. © Jewish Museum

Rationing and Food Shortages

In 1914, the UK produced a lot of its own food and resources, supplemented by imported food and other basic goods. Once the war had begun, many of the sources of those necessities were threatened.

Related Personal Records

  • Marcus Segal
    SEG3438
    05/12/1896-19/06/1917
  • Rachel Wisotzky
    WIS0656
    1894-1984
    • Thinking keys

    The following thinking keys may be of use to teachers to use when discussing the British values with students, particularly for challenging more able students. The list is designed to provoke thought and discussion for what is a complex topic for us all.

    Commonalities:

    The similarities and differences between British Values and those held by other countries are…

    Interpretations:

    British Values are more relevant now than they will ever be in future, because…

    Questions and answers:

    The answer is: “That’s why it is important to carefully develop students’ understanding of British Values before they leave school.” 

    So what was the question?

    Alternatives:

    If the British government did not engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts around the world, what would be the consequences be: 

    • regionally?
    • nationally?
    • globally?

    How might Britain’s diplomatic policies need to evolve following the decision to leave the European Union?

    What if?

    What if Britain removed the rights of some people to vote? On what basis might this be acceptable? 

    How would it be compatible with or seen in the context of British Values? 

    Forced relationship:

    How might Britain’s values be different today if... 

    • it had lost World War 1 or 2?
    • the British Empire had not existed?
    • it were not an island?
    • social media had not been invented?
    • the internet had not been invented?

    More British values

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