During the Second World War (1939-1945), the British government was forced to ration food. The rationing began in 1940 and ended in 1954, nine years after the end of the war. The purpose of the rationing was to distribute the few supplies obtainable in the country equally to all citizens. The success was bigger than could be expected: Many English were better nourished during the war than before; infant mortality dropped, and general expectancy of life rose.