The Defence of the Realm Act (DORA) was passed in the United Kingdom on 8th August 1914, during the early weeks of World War I. It gave the government wide-ranging powers during the war period, such as censorship and the power to requisition buildings or land needed for the war effort. Some of the things the British public were not allowed to do include; flying a kite, lighting a bonfire, buying binoculars, feeding wild animals bread, discuss naval and military matters or buy alcohol on public transport. Alcoholic beverages were watered down. Though some of the things DORA did may seem strange, they did have their purposes. Flying a kite or lighting a bonfire could attract Zeppelins, feeding wild animals was a waste of food since rationing was introduced in 1917. The first person to be arrested under DORA was John Maclean, a Marxist and Clydeside revolutionist, for uttering statements calculated predjudiced against recruiting. He was fined £5 but refused and spent 5 nights in prison. Here is an excerpt of the Act: 1914 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... WWI redirects here. ... Censorship is the systematic use of group power to broadly control freedom of speech and expression, largely in regard to secretive matters. ...

Be it enacted ... as follows:

(1) His Majesty in Council has power during the continuance of the present war to issue regulations for securing the public safety and the defence of the realm, and as to the powers and duties for that purpose of the Admiralty and Army Council and of the members of His Majesty's forces and other persons acting in his behalf; and may by such regulations authorise the trial by courts-martial, or in the case of minor offences by courts of summary jurisdiction, and punishment of persons committing offences against the regulations and in particular against any of the provisions of such regulations designed:

• (a) to prevent persons communicating with the enemy or obtaining information for that purpose or any purpose calculated to jeopardise the success of the operations of any of His Majesty's forces or the forces of his allies or to assist the enemy; or

• (b) to secure the safety of His Majesty's forces and ships and the safety of any means of communication and of railways, ports, and harbours; or

• (c) to prevent the spread of false reports or reports likely to cause disaffection to His Majesty or to interfere with the success of His Majesty's forces by land or sea or to prejudice His Majesty's relations with foreign powers; or

• (d) to secure the navigation of vessels in accordance with directions given by or under the authority of the Admiralty; or

• (e) otherwise to prevent assistance being given to the enemy or the successful prosecution of the war being endangered.

(3) It shall be lawful for the Admiralty or Army Council:

• (a) to require that there shall be placed at their disposal the whole or any part of the output of any factory or workshop in which arms, ammunition, or warlike stores and equipment, or any articles required for the production thereof, are manufactured;

• (b) to take possession of, and use for the purpose of, His Majesty's naval or military service any such factory or workshop or any plant thereof;

WWII

There was a similar Act for WWII. German soldiers at the Battle of Stalingrad World War II was the most extensive and costly armed conflict in the history of the world, involving the great majority of the worlds nations, being fought simultaneously in several major theatres, and costing tens of millions of lives. ...

External links

• Spartacus: DORA