The first Q asked by a Gallup poll in Great Britain, Jan 1937: “Do you consider that the grounds of divorce should be made easier?” Yes 58%, No 42%
I found 2nd Q surprising as well: “Do you consider that doctors should be given power to end the life of a person incurably ill?” Yes 69%, No 31%
By May 1937 it’s already bleak: “If another major European war breaks out, do you think Great Britain will be drawn into it?” Yes 83%, No 17%
Cheered this one in June 1937: “Should children have homework to do at the end of the school day?” Yes 21%, No 79%
Gallup, GB, Nov 1937: “Do you exercise to keep fit?” Yes 44%, No 56%
Asked of those who said yes: “What form of exercise do you take?” Hiking 24%, Games 52%, Physical jerks 24%
Next Q! “If you had to choose between Fascism and Communism, which would you choose?” Fascism 26%, Communism 28%, “no opinion” 46%
Gallup, GB, Dec 1937: “Have you ever travelled in an aeroplane?” Yes 13%, No 87%
Asked of those who said no: “Would you care to?” Yes 58%, No 42%
Striking Q, Gallup, GB, Feb 1938: “What book of all you have read impressed you most?” Of 43% who named a book, the Bible came top, 16% (of 43%, so 7%), followed by The Citadel, 3%, and Sorrell and Son 2%
The Citadel, novel by AJ Cronin, pub 1937, about injustices of medical prof, credited with inspiring founding of NHS; Sorrell and Son, 1925 novel by Warwick Deeping about captain whose wife leaves him after he returns from the war & who brings up his son alone
Nov 1938: “Should the death penalty be abolished?” Yes 45%, No 55% (excl no opinion 11%)
Feb 1939: “Which statement comes nearest to your view of Mr Chamberlain’s policy of appeasement?”
It will ultimately lead to enduring peace in Europe 28%
It will keep us out of war until we have time to rearm 46%
It brings war nearer by whetting the appetites of the dictators 24%
Another question the same month: “Do you smoke?” Yes 59%, No 41% (Of men, 73% smoked cigarettes, 40% a pipe, 2% cigars; 100% of women smokers smoked cigarettes)
Apr 1939: “Have you a flower or vegetable garden?” Yes 58%, No 42%
Also Apr 1939: “Is the British govt right in giving military guarantees to preserve the independence of small European nations?” Yes 72%, No 14%, No opinion 14%
May 1939: “Are you in favour of Mr Winston Churchill being invited to join the cabinet?” Yes 56%, No 26%, No opinion 18%
July 1939: “If Germany and Poland go to war over Danzig, should we fulfil our pledge to fight on Poland’s side?” Yes 76%, No 13%, No opinion 11%
July 1939: “Should refugees be allowed to enter Great Britain?” Yes 70%, No 26%, No opinion 4%
Sep 1939: “How much longer do you think the war will last?”
Up to a year 38%
1½ years 44%
1½ to 2 years 22%
2½ to 3 years 22%
Indefinite 14%
(Respondents seem to have been allowed to choose more than one!)
“Up to a year” is the sum of “6 months” 16%, “7-11 months” 10%, “1 year” 12%
Gallup continued polling throughout the war, and, as some people find this thread interesting, I’ll carry on
Dec 1939: “If you had the choice between Mr Chamberlain and Mr Churchill, which would you have as PM?” Chamberlain 52%, Churchill 30%, No opinion 18%
By Dec, Gallup seems to have sorted out its war duration Q: “How long do you think the war will continue from now?”
Up to 1 year 30%
1-2 years 25%
More than 2 years 30%
No opinion 15%
I’ve merged 6 answers into 3:
Under 6 months 12%
6-12 months 18%
12-18 months 7%
18-24 months 18%
2-3 years 17%
Over 3 years 13%
(This time respondents allowed only one answer)
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