The Defence of the Realm Act (DORA) of 1914 governed all lives in Britain during World War One. It listed everything that people were not allowed to do in time of war and was added to as the war progressed.


The first version of the Defence of the Realm Act was introduced on August 8th 1914. This stated that:
* no-one was allowed to talk about naval or military matters in public places
* no-one was allowed to spread rumours about military matters
* no-one was allowed to buy binoculars
* no-one was allowed to trespass on railway lines or bridges
* no-one was allowed to melt down gold or silver
* no-one was allowed to light bonfires or fireworks
* no-one was allowed to give bread to horses, horses or chickens
* no-one was allowed to use invisible ink when writing abroad
* no-one was allowed to buy brandy or whisky in a railway refreshment room         
* no-one was allowed to ring church bells
* the government could take over any factory or workshop
* the government could try any civilian breaking these laws
* the government could take over any land it wanted to
* the government could censor newspapers

As the war continued and evolved, the government introduced more acts to DORA.
i. the government introduced British Summer Time to give more daylight for extra work
ii. opening hours in pubs were cut
iii. beer was watered down
iv. customers in pubs were not allowed to buy a round of drinks