The condition of Britain at the end of the Second World War
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the situation in Britain following the Second World War.
Key learning points
- At the end of the Second World War Britain was victorious but weak.
- Bombing campaigns had destroyed many homes and factories in Britain's cities.
- Britain was nearly bankrupt having had to spend so much money on the war.
- 384 000 British soldiers had died alongside 70 000 civilians.
- In 1945 the British public elected a new government that promised to help Britain to recover.
Keywords
Bankrupt - when a country, company or person has no money they are declared bankrupt
Election - an election is when people vote to choose who they want to represent them in government
Common misconception
Pupils may think that Churchill was unpopular because the majority of the British public did not vote for him in 1945.
Churchill was a popular individual. It was the lack of promises of his political party to make social changes that lost him the election in 1945.
Teacher tip
Look up some new towns that were built after the war to see if you live in one, or if there are any near you. You could also find out what your area looked like before WWII and the rebuilding that came after.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.In History, what is an idea, event, or action that leads to permanent change called?
Q2.What is the term used to describe someone who was not part of the armed forces in WWII?
Q3.Which is the most accurate description of 'conscription'?
Q4.Only men were conscripted during the Second World War.
Q5.How did the lives of women and nurses in Britain change during WWII?
Q6.Which of the below is the most accurate description of the term 'evacuation'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When a country, company or person that has no money what are they declared?
Q2.How many British soldiers lost their lives during the Second World War?
Q3.Which of the below was significantly destroyed or damaged as a result of the Second World War?
Q4.Who was the Prime Minister during much of the Second World War?
Q5.Complete the sentence: In 1945 the party won the election in Britain.
Q6.Choose the correct word to finish the sentence: Under the Labour party, between 1945 and 1955, one million were built.
To help you plan your 6 history lesson on: The condition of Britain at the end of the Second World War, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 history lesson on: The condition of Britain at the end of the Second World War, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the Significant turning points: in what ways did Britain change after WWII? unit, dive into the full primary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.