How did the First World War alter the nature of British politics and society? Although no conflict ever took place at home during the First World War, its effects were strong enough to alter daily life in Britain, both during and after its battles. The most important and obvious of these changes clearly concerned British society and politics. The sheer scale of the Great War meant that such changes were inevitable. The transition from voluntary enlistment to conscription illustrates one of the many social changes that occurred during this period. The masses of men disappearing to fight for their King and country have left many families, businesses and communities at a loss. The war also affected women on the home front, giving them the opportunity to contribute in the form of important job positions no longer held by men. Many argued that this affected their ability to get out the vote. A number of political changes were directly influenced by the First World War. There was a new uprising of radicalized movements in Britain stimulated by the war. Many parts of Glasgow saw the socialist movement take shape. New censorship and sanction acts such as the Defense of the Realm Act were also introduced to efficiently manage the home front. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The transition from voluntary enlistment to conscription was a huge turning point for many. It transformed the situation from spectatorship to participation for millions of young people who had previously supported the war but had no intention of taking part. The decision to introduce compulsory conscription was obviously necessary if Britain was to contribute to the war effectively. Although this is not to say that volunteering was a failure. In the years 1914 to 1915, Britain had mustered “the second largest volunteer army in history,” but it was not enough to compete in the greatest war the world had ever seen. Parliament was deeply divided by the decision to force men into war, but French morale was at breaking point and it was clear that more men were needed. In March 1916, the law on military service was approved which provided for compulsory conscription for "celibate men aged 18 to 40, except widowers with children or religious ministers". Over the next few years, 2.5 million men would enter the war through conscription. This enormous scale of compulsory conscription may have had extremely beneficial effects on the Western Front, but at home it proved its lack of popularity. Conscientious objectors began to speak out against the new system, proclaiming their right to freedom not to take part in war on the basis of their religion, thought or conscience. In April 1916 over 200,000 of them went to Trafalgar Square to protest against this initiative. There was tribunal after tribunal for men who wanted to oppose conscription on these grounds, but many were dismissed as cowards. Of course the value of even the smallest exemption from war was enormous, as Gregory explained. “It gave the men time to get their affairs in order and also significantly reduced their chances of being killed.” Yet it was a difficult case to argue. Even the Church would claim that killing under such circumstances was acceptable to protect the country and its people. And with such a large number of volunteers, the rest of the company began todisapprove of objectors. But it was those like John Maclean who would go on to have a huge impact on British society. He was against the war and was arrested under the Defense of the Realm Act for his beliefs. From then on he began to help develop a socialist movement that would soon shake parts of Glasgow and warn the government against the fear of revolution. These were all extremely important social changes brought about by World War I. Another important social impact the war had on the home front was on women. With literally millions of men absent as the war continued, it fell to women at home to fill important work positions that were crucial to the country's war effort. This included providing jobs in munitions and jute factories to send needed supplies to the Western Front, but also jobs that would allow the country to run smoothly at home, such as bus drivers. Many of these changes in women's daily lives were completely unheard of. It was generally believed that women needed little education in the workforce, as their place was in the home. However their involvement was necessary, as Turner stated: "The war required women's wide participation in the formal labor market, to release men for other tasks." This would change British society forever. Although the call for women's right to vote had long been fought by both Suffragettes and Suffragettes, this would be a step forward for women to demonstrate their prowess in times of struggle. In 1918 over 6 million women gained the vote, with subsequent years to allow more and more women that ability. Many have argued that their war work was a key factor in their victory. However, the absence of men has not been entirely positive for women at home. The heartbreaking deaths and casualties caused by the war affected everyone. Across Britain families were losing brothers, fathers and sons. It was almost unheard of to talk to someone who wasn't affected one way or another. Women had to deal with pain and work as they fought their war at home, but there would truly be no time for pain until the war was over. But at that time the war was really just a morsel for women. As they were expected to give up their newfound independence when the men returned. Men needed work and families needed women, but it was clear that many would not be willing, as one employer wrote at the time. «These women will not want to return to their domestic duties after the war. The expansion of the sphere and perspectives of women is a phase greatly accentuated by war conditions and will never go back to the way it was before.' It is clear the enormous impact that the First World War had on women at home, as the country was culturally changed for the future. The war also shook the face of British politics. There were many political changes, both during and after the war, but a focal change was the sudden radicalization of many people in Britain as an effect of the war. Many protests began in the anti-war movement that would continue to manifest well into the 1920s. One of the most famous movements that occur during the Red Clydeside. This was an era of political radicalism that would epitomize the socialist movement in the city of Glasgow and the areas surrounding the banks of the River Clyde. Famous figures such as Willie Gallacher and David Kirkwood campaigned against David Lloyd George's Liberal government for their acts of.