Blitz and its effect on British National Identity

Angus Calder called the "myth of the blitz--one of which the people, improvising bravely and brilliantly fought of the German Luftwaffe" .The "people's war" has become the signifying concept for the Second World War (WW). During the Luftwaffe, or what is more commonly known as The Blitz (the bombing of London), civilians became combatants on the front line. The entire citizenry and resources of the nation were mobilized for a war in which over 67,500 civilians …

…a moral or ethical practice that was deemed crucial for national survival. Membership in the British nation meant the transformation of private individuals into public, civic participants. Active citizenship was linked to 'social responsibility' and participation in civil society or it public affairs. The bombing of London had created soldiers out of the citizenry and injected patriotism into the nation as they fought together for a cause. It highlighted the social rift between the classes