The Ministry of Reconstruction was a department of the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

government which existed after both

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

and

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

in order to provide for the needs of the population in the post war years.

World War I

The Ministry of Reconstruction was originally established by the

Lloyd George David Lloyd George, 1st Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor (17 January 1863 – 26 March 1945) was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1916 to 1922. A Liberal Party (United Kingdom), Liberal Party politician from Wales, he was known for leadi ...

government of 1917 and covered a wide range of political and social areas, including: * administrative reform * the role of women in society * employment * industrial relations * housing It was led by Christopher Addison and was "charged with overseeing the task of rebuilding 'the national life on a better and more durable foundation' once the Great War was over.Spotlight on History
The (British) National Archives From 1918 the Advisory Council to the Ministry of Reconstruction was chaired by Sir Henry Birchenough."Biography; Who Was Who" The Ministry addressed the issues of prolonged

strike action Strike action, also called labor strike, labour strike in British English, or simply strike, is a work stoppage caused by the mass refusal of employees to Working class, work. A strike usually takes place in response to employee grievances. Str ...

by workers, many of whom were demobilised troops. 2.4 million British workers were involved in strike action in 1919, in what the government perceived as a threat to the development of the economy.

World War II

The second Ministry of Reconstruction was established in November 1943 and abolished in July 1945 and for its duration was under the political leadership of Lord Woolton. Its permanent secretary was Norman Brook. It replaced the Reconstruction Secretariat which had been the political responsibility of Arthur Greenwood, minister without portfolio in the War Cabinet. Between 1940 and 1942 the Secretariat was headed by Sir George Chrystal, formerly permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health, and subsequently by Alfred Hurst, formerly undersecretary at the Ministry of Mines.

References

{{reflist

Reconstruction Reconstruction may refer to: Politics, history, and sociology *Reconstruction (law), the transfer of a company's (or several companies') business to a new company *''Perestroika'' (Russian for "reconstruction"), a late 20th century Soviet Union ...

United Kingdom, Reconstruction 1917 establishments in the United Kingdom United Kingdom, Reconstruction 1943 establishments in the United Kingdom 1945 disestablishments in the United Kingdom United Kingdom in World War I United Kingdom home front during World War II The National Archives (United Kingdom)

World War I

World War II

See also

References