Britain in World War II

In the beginning of the thirties the economic crisis spread over Britain. The Hunger March of the unemployed in 1933 was the most memorable event in Britain. The unemployed marched from Glasgow to London holding meetings in every town they passed.

In Germany the resentment of the masses was exploited by Nazi demagogues for their nationalist and militarist propaganda. Hitler came to power in 1933.

In 1936 the fascist mutiny of general Franco led to the Civil War in Spain. The struggle of the Spanish people was supported by the democratic and anti-fascist forces all over the world. Ал Inter­national Brigade was formed, which fought side by side with the Spanish People's Army against the common enemy — fascism.

Many British intellectuals and workers joined the International Brigade. Every one of them clearly realized that the struggle against fascism in Spain was at the same time a struggle for the freedom of their own country.

The Second World War broke out in 1939.

In 1940 the Germans began massive bombing air raids of Britain. Britain was on the brink of defeat. However, later develop­ments brought a change.

In 1940 after the capitulation of France Hitler began to make preparations to invade Britain. In September 1940 intensive bomb­ing of British cities began. The period was given the name of the Blitz. Hitler used the Blitz to try and make the country surrender. The German Airforce — the Luftwaffe — dropped waves of bombs on British cities and particularly on London which was bombed for fifty three nights in a row.

These attacks caused serious damage and took many lives. 30 thousand Londoners were killed for the period of time. Living during the Blitz was a terrifying experience for civilians.

Another effect of the war on the civilians in Britain was rationing. It was introduced by the Government in 1940. It was important to make the supplies of food go as far as possible because Britain didn't produce enough food to feed everyone.

A council was set up to work out exactly how much a person needed to eat to stay healthy. Children and pregnant mums received more than others. Having a ration book was a guarantee that you would receive a minimum amount of necessary food. Moreover peo­ple grew their own food and even Hyde Park¹ was turned into a giant allotment.

Petrol was rationed too but almost no one drove a car - only Dodoes and other important users.

In the spring of 1941 the raids ended as Hitler moved his forces east to prepare for the invasion of the Soviet Union. The partici­pation of the Soviet Union changed the whole content of the war. Hitler's invasion plan of Britain was not carried out.

The decisive role of the Soviet Union in the struggle against fascism led to the downfall of Hitlerism. In the summer of 1944 the so-called «second front» was opened. It was a successful united strat­egy of the Soviet Union, Britain and the USA. The fascists surren­dered unconditionally in May 1945.

On May 8^th 1945 people partied in the streets of British towns and cities for VE day, Victory in Europe. After more than 5 years of war and millions of deaths, Germany had been defeated. However, the war continued for another 3 months in the Far East until the defeat of Japan. On September 2, 1945 World War II - the great­est war in the history — was over.

Hyde Park - one of the most famous London's parks where political meetings and demonstrations are held.

Ex.5 Look through the text again and translate the following words and word-combinations:

Crisis, hold, exploit, militarist, struggle, freedom, bombing air raids, to be on the brink of defeat, to invade, civilians, to set up, content, decisive, defeat.

Ex.6 Find in the text the English equivalents for the following:

После капитуляции Франции; Гитлер начал готовиться к вторжению в Британию; началась интенсивная бомбардировка; заставить страну сдаться; эти атаки (налеты) явились причиной ...; унесли много жизней; страшные испытания  для  гражданского   населения   (мирных жителей); были введены пайки; было важно ...; изменило ч. войны; решающая роль; в борьбе против; был открыт так называемый второй фронт.

Ex.7 Correct the statements if necessary:

1. The Hunger March of the unemployed in 1933 was the least memorable event in Britain. 2. In Spain the resentment of the masses was exploited by Nazi demagogues. 3. In 1940 the Germans began massive bombing air raids of Britain. 4. Living during the Blitz wasn’t a terrifying experience for civilians. 5. A government was set up to work out exactly how much a person needed to eat to stay healthy. 6. The decisive role of the Soviet Union in the struggle against fascism led to the downfall of Britain. 7. After more than 6 years of war and millions of deaths, Germany had been defeated.

Ex.8 Give questions to which the following sentences are the answers:

1. The unemployed marched from Glasgow to London holding meetings in every town. 2. The struggle of the Spanish people was supported by the democratic and anti-fascist forces all over the world. 3. After the capitulation of France Hitler began to make preparations to invade Britain. 4. Another effect of the war on the civilians in Britain was rationing. 5. Hitler's invasion plan of Britain was not carried out.6. The war continued until the defeat of Japan.

Ex.9 Use the text to enlarge the given statements:

1. In the beginning of the thirties … . 2. In 1936 the fascist mutiny… . 3. The Second World War broke out in … . 4. The period was … . 5. It was important to… . 6. It was a successful united strategy of … . 7. On September 2, 1945… .

Ex.10 Answer the following questions:

1. Why the resentment of the masses in Germany was exploited?

2. What was the reason of the Civil war in Spain?

3. Who joined the International Brigade?

4. When did the Germans begin massive bombing air raids of Britain?

5. After which event did Hitler begin to make preparations to invade Britain?

6. What name was this period given?

7. What for did Hitler use the Blitz?

8. How many nights in a row was London bombed?

9. What was a guarantee that people in a war time would receive a minimum amount of necessary food?

10. Why did the raids end in the spring of 1941?

11. What was opened in the summer of 1944?

12. After how many years had Germany been defeated?

Ex.11 Reorder the items of the plan according to the logic of the text. Describe item 8 of the plan in detail. 1. Hitler's invasion plan of Britain was not carried out.

2. The unemployed marched from Glasgow to London holding meetings in every town they passed.

3. In 1940 after the capitulation of France Hitler began to make preparations to invade Britain.

4. In 1940 the Germans began massive bombing air raids of Britain.

5. After more than 5 years of war and millions of deaths, Germany had been defeated.

6. Living during the Blitz was a terrifying experience for civilians.

7. A council was set up to work out exactly how much a person needed to eat to stay healthy.

8. In Germany the resentment of the masses was exploited by Nazi demagogues. Ex.12 Give a written summary of the text in 5-7 sentences.

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Дейкун Кристина Михайловна

Гинзбург Евгения Анатольевна

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