Britain and the Great War: 1914-1918

The central theme of this study is the impact on British society of the massive and unprecedented demands of the army. Thus, the social as well as the military and political aspects are covered, with primacy given to the war's effect on government, economics and national values. It is argued that the importance of the war from the British point of view lies in two things: firstly, it was the first time that Britain put a truly national army into the field; and secondly, it was the only time Britain faced a foe of greater military and industrial power.