What Was Happening in London in 1939?

By Alice Nichols

London in 1939 was a city on the brink of war. With tensions rising across Europe, the people of London were acutely aware that their city could soon become a Target. Despite this, life in London continued much as it had before, with people going about their daily business.

Politics and International Relations

In 1939, politics was dominated by the growing threat of war with Nazi Germany. The British government, led by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, had been pursuing a policy of appeasement towards Hitler’s regime in an attempt to avoid conflict. However, this policy was increasingly being called into question as Germany continued to expand its territories and aggression towards other countries.

The Outbreak of War

On September 1st, 1939, Germany invaded Poland. Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later. This marked the beginning of World War II and London quickly became a Target for German bombing raids.

Social Life and Culture

Despite the looming threat of war, social life in London continued much as it had before. The city’s many theaters and cinemas remained popular destinations for entertainment-seekers. Popular films at the time included “Gone with the Wind” and “The Wizard of Oz”.

Evacuation

As war became increasingly likely, plans were put in place to evacuate children from London to safer areas of the country. In September 1939, over one million children were evacuated from London to other parts of Britain.

Sports

Sports remained an important part of life in London during 1939. Football (soccer) was particularly popular and many people would attend matches at stadiums across the city. Arsenal FC won the First Division title that year.

The Blitz

In September 1940, German bombing raids on London began in earnest. This period, known as the Blitz, saw the city come under heavy attack for months on end. Many buildings were destroyed and thousands of people lost their lives.

  • Despite the devastation, the people of London showed remarkable resilience and continued to go about their daily lives as best they could.
  • The Blitz ended in May 1941, but London would continue to be a Target for bombing raids throughout the war.

Conclusion

London in 1939 was a city on edge. The threat of war with Nazi Germany loomed large and would soon become a reality.

Despite this, life in London continued much as it had before, with people going about their daily business and enjoying the city’s many cultural offerings. When war did come, the people of London showed remarkable resilience and bravery in the face of adversity.