What was the Trading with the Enemy Act 1914 (UK)?

Introduction The Trading with the Enemy Act 1914 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that prescribed an offence of conducting business with any person of “enemy character”. It was enacted (on 18 September 1914) soon after the United Kingdom became involved in World War I. Refer to Trading with the Enemy… Read More

What is the Trading with the Enemy Act?

Introduction Trading with the Enemy Act is a stock short title used for legislation in the United Kingdom and the United States relating to trading with the enemy. Background Trading with the Enemy Acts is also a generic name for a class of legislation generally passed during or approaching a war that prohibit not just… Read More

What was the Defence of the Realm Act 1914 (UK)?

Introduction The Defence of the Realm Act (DORA) was passed in the United Kingdom on 08 August 1914, four days after it entered the First World War and was added to as the war progressed. It gave the government wide-ranging powers during the war, such as the power to requisition buildings or land needed for… Read More

What was the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939?

Introduction The Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939 was emergency legislation passed just prior to the outbreak of World War II by the Parliament of the United Kingdom to enable the British Government to take up emergency powers to prosecute the war effectively. It contained clauses giving the government wide powers to create Defence Regulations which… Read More

What are Defence Regulations (UK)?

Introduction During the Second World War Defence Regulations were a fundamental aspect of everyday life in the United Kingdom. They were emergency regulations passed on the outbreak of war and during it to give the government emergency powers to prosecute the war. Two Acts of Parliament were passed as enabling legislation to allow the Defence… Read More

What was Defence Regulation 18B?

Introduction Defence Regulation 18B, often referred to as simply 18B, was one of the Defence Regulations used by the British Government before and during World War II. The complete name for the rule was Regulation 18B of the Defence (General) Regulations 1939. It allowed the internment without trial of people suspected of being actively opposed… Read More

What is War Profiteering?

Introduction A war profiteer is any person or organisation that makes unreasonable profits from warfare or by selling weapons and other goods to parties at war. The term typically carries strong negative connotations. General profiteering, making an unreasonable profit, also occurs in peacetime. An example of war profiteers were the “shoddy” millionaires who allegedly sold… Read More