Domestic impact of war: politicsDefence of the Realm Act (DORA)
The First World War had an impact on politics. Some Scots took action to improve living and working conditions. There were a series of disputes known as ‘Red Clydeside’.
The Defence of the Realm Act (DORA) became law on 8 August 1914 and authorised the government to do almost anything it thought was necessary to help the war effort and protect the country.
Examples of DORA laws
No-one was allowed to:
talk about naval or military matters in public places
spread rumours about military matters
buy binoculars
trespass on railway lines or bridges
melt down gold or silver
light bonfires or fireworks
give bread to horses or chickens
use invisible ink when writing abroad
At first, the public accepted the need for increased security and control over areas seen as vital to the war effort. However, as the war went on people objected to the way that DORA undermined their basic freedoms. Most people thought many of the rules were trivial and inconvenient.
