2. Evacuation Flashcards
When did the government start evacuating children out of cities?
September 1939 (as soon as the war began)
What were the two main reasons for evacuation?
1) Get children to safety
2) Free up mother’s to do war related work
How did the evacuation change people’s perceptions of Britain?
- People in the countryside were often shocked at the conditions children in the city were living in
- Children (and adults) from big cities were often exposed to a different, often higher-quality, way of life in the countryside
Did all children enjoy being evacuees?
No - many had a wonderful time. However, some children were used as unpaid labour. Some also experienced abuse.
How many children were evacuated?
800,000
Was evacuation compulsory?
No, it was voluntary - children were not forced to go
Why did some parents bring their kids home after the first few months of the war?
In the first few months (Sep 1939-May 1940) not much happened. This became known as the ‘Phoney War’. It seemed safe, so parents brought their children back to the city.
In total, how many people were evacuated?
3 million
If you refused to take in an evacuee, what could the government do?
Fine you
What did host families receive in return for taking in children?
Payment from the Post Office
How was it decided which family would take which child?
The children would be lined up when they arrived in a village. They would then be selected by the foster families. (This was usually according to appearance - girls first, scruffy boys last etc.)
What percentage of children in cities were evacuated?
50%
