1930s depression

Question 1

‘devils decade’

Answer 1

traditionalist view
social deprivation and high unemployment

Question 2

J.B. Priestly ‘English journey’

Answer 2

-three englands
-old England pcituresque
-depressed world of 19th century: heavy industry, slum housing, north and midlands
-souther: vibrant suburban and consumer culture

Question 3

1929 wall st. crash

Answer 3

-loss of us markets, unemployment rose from 1-3m 1929-32
-rise in long-term unemployment
-problem in old and new industries but new industries recovered

Question 4

worst affected areas 1930s

Answer 4

-1934: Merthyr Tydfil ironworks town- 62% of working men unemployed
-1935: Jarrow saw 72% unemployment after closure of Palmer’s shipyard

Question 5

gov help 1930s depression

Answer 5

-means test introduced in 1931: gauge level of need in individual households criticised for intrusiveness and lack of generosity

Question 6

the south 1930s depression

Answer 6

-in south-east: new light industries (electrical, chemical and automobiles) developed. families affluent
-people with jobs benefitted due to falling prices

Question 7

incomes and consumer goods 1930s depression

Answer 7

-those in work, real incomes constantly higher than pre-1914
-although wages fell, prices fell faster, particularly food prices
-more money for luxuries
-vacuum cleaners and washing machines more commonplace household items
-1200% increase in homes with electricity
-expansion of motor car, chemical and electrical industries led to better paid jobs: south + midlands

Question 8

lifestyles 1930s

Answer 8

-family size fell: more money for luxuries
-late 1920s: child/women = 2.19 compared to 4.6 n 1880s
-knowledge of contraception spread
-middle-class enjoyed interwar prosperity
-methods of mass production brought motor cars within grasp of many
-radios became commonplace, licences grew from 36k in 1922 to 8.97m in 1939

Question 9

leisure 1930s depression

Answer 9

-average, hours of work reduced after ww1, more time for leisure opps
-holidays with pay act 1938, entitled workers to annual paid holiday
-first butlin’s holiday camp 1937
-1930s ‘golden age’ of cinema
-survey in liverpool in 1937: 40% at least once/week
-popularity of classless open air activities such as cycling, hiking and rambling in 1930s