How did the defence of the realm act change people's lives?

Answer 1

Dora gave the government powers to commandeer economic resources, imprison without trial, censor the printed and restrict free speech for the war effort. In addition, the government could force people to stay in essential jobs so they couldn't find higher wages elsewhere, which meant that DORA had a real effect on most families.

Some of the changes made include:

A No Treating Order laid down that people could not buy alcoholic drinks for other people. Public House opening times were also reduced to 12.00 noon to 2.30 pm and 6.30 to 9.30 pm. Before the law was changed, public houses could open from 5 am in the morning to 12.30 pm at night.

Rationing was introduced - sugar was the first to be rationed and this was later followed by butchers' meat. The idea of rationing food was to guarantee supplies, not to reduce consumption.

During the war publishing information that was calculated to be indirectly or directly of use to the enemy became an offense and accordingly punishable in a court of law.