Rationing

• Britain is a small island, and in 1914 relied upon imports to meet its demand for food.
• The Germans started a naval campaign with U-boats which targeted merchant

  ships bringing supplies to Britain.
• Everyone was given a ration card, and had to register them with a butcher and grocer.
• Wealthy individuals could still obtain more food than poorer families, as they could afford to

  purchase items on the black market.
• Gardens were used to grow food and to keep chickens. However there was a limit to the

  amount that could be produced in these small spaces.
• The powers of the Defence of the Realm Act were used to bring in a system of compulsory

  rationing.