3.7-Depression And The Dole: Poverty In The Interwar Years, 1920-1939

Question 1

What is prosperity?

Answer 1

A successful, flourishing, or thriving condition, especially in financial respects, good fortune

Question 2

What was the Depression?

Answer 2

The economic crisis and period of 
low business activity in the U.S. and 
other countries, roughly beginning 
with the stock-market crash in 
October, 1929, and continuing 
through most of the 1930s.

Question 3

Explain why Britain would have
been one of the countries affected by the
Depression.

Answer 3

The USA asked for their 
loans to be paid back in full, 
immediately. The USA had been 
Britain’s biggest trading partner; this 
stopped.

Question 4

Which areas were the worst affected by the Depression in Britain in the 1930s?

Answer 4

South Wales, Clydeside, North West, North East,

Northern Ireland

Question 5

Why were these areas the worst affected?

Answer 5

Had old, staple industries, eg. coal, ship building,
textiles (cotton), iron and steel.

Other places around the world using electricity… and using manufacturing, no longer need these industries

Relied a lot on these limited markets especially in these areas due to seasonality and rural landscape

Question 6

Why were old staple industries already in decline in the 1920s?

Answer 6

• Because there was competition from the USA/ Japan, eg. the cost of coal.
• In the 1920s, countries were also beginning to disarm = loss of
shipbuilding.
• British Gov also had a policy of free trade – no oversees companies paid
tariffs.

Question 7

Why was Britain one of the main countries to be affected by the Wall Street Crash?

Answer 7

• The USA asked for their loans to be paid back in full, immediately.
• The USA also put high tariffs on any foreign goods. British
manufacturers were left with very limited markets. – the USA had
been Britain’s biggest trading partner.

Question 8

What was the decline in shipbuilding from 1930 to 1933?

Answer 8

1930 = 1.4million tonnes,
1933 = 133,000 tonnes
(Huge unemployment)

In 1929, British production of steel fell by 45%
and pig iron by 54%,
By 1938, the number of people employed in
Britain’s cotton industry had fallen by 50%.

Question 9

By 1932 how many people were unemployed in Britain?

Answer 9

3 million people most of which were part of ‘old industries’

Question 10

Why were many of the unemployed thrust into long-term

poverty?

Answer 10

Cycle of depression (lack of employment)

Caused changes in attitudes towards the poor where by previous progress was set back, white people being prioritised and views of morality as many fell into crime due to economic issues…

Structural unemployment- specific skills, UK well renowned for these industries which are no longer prominent- no alternatives

Question 11

Explain industries that did actually flourish during the 1930s, why were they flourishing, how did the government help?

Answer 11

• The South and South-East of Britain experienced remarkable growth
and prosperity in the 1930s.
• This was because the workforce were readily adapted to the new,
light industries that were being invested in after the FWW.
• These new industries included: motor vehicles, building industries,
chemical production, printing and electrical engineering.
• The car industry, for example, produced 511,000 cars in 1937 (as
opposed to 33,000 in 1913) and between 1924-1935, over 1 million
houses were built for local authorities.
• These industries were able to meet the growing post-war demand for
convenience and leisure amongst certain classes and their
popularity was therefore protected.
• These industries were also helped by Government-introduced tariffs:
• The McKenna duties put a 33.3% tariff on the importing of
commercial vehicles.
• The Safeguarding of Industries Act put a 33.3% tariff on synthetic
chemicals.

Question 12

What is it that the Depression is said to have caused?

Answer 12

The north and south divide

Question 13

Reasons the depression did cause the ‘country of 2 Nations’

Answer 13

Cycle of depression- thrust them into long term poverty

Unemployment- 3 million

USA stopped trading and demanded loan- especially in old industries like iron (left with limited markets)

Perceptions of changes- associated unemployment with the north, ‘claiming the dole’

Question 14

Name other factors that may have caused the ‘country of 2 Nations’

Answer 14

Lack of government intervention

Divide in industries between old and light, and relying too much on these old industries which were declining anyway

Competition- USA, Japan

Modernisation

Disarmament

Government failure to protect north and cyclical unemployment in north eg: seasonal unemployment

So in summary (from slides):

The old, staple industries were 
already in decline before the 
Depression because of 
disarmament and competition 
from other countries like the USA 
and Japan. 
• The government created tariffs 
which supported newer industries.
• Geographical concentration of 
jobs led to decline. 
• The fact that new industries were 
willing to adapt, and respond to 
consumer demand, meant that 
they prospered.

Question 15

What are the consequences from having the north and south divide?

Answer 15

Main: started to
protest/campaign – eg. the
hunger strike and the Jarrow
marches.

Migrate to south but many couldn’t afford again, went into crime which meant a decline in attitudes and a decline in help from organisations and welfare state

Unemployment benefits increased

Re-start industries/ innovate existing ones

Only changed when SWW started due to the increase in employment (resources needed) and the re-armament in 1936

Question 16

When was the Jarrow Crusade? Outline a basic summary of what happened

Answer 16

5th October-1st November 1936

North East

From Jarrow to London

Put forward a petition to ask the government for intervention in their unemployment and to rethink the disregard of old industries

Ellen Wilkinson- labour MP organised it

Question 17

What was the name of the shipyard in Jarrow?

Answer 17

Palmer’s shipyard

Question 18

When did the last ship ever leave the yard?

Answer 18

1931, Cruiser HSM York

Question 19

What percentage of the population of the workforce was left unemployed?

Answer 19

75%

Question 20

What did the MP (Ellen Wilkinson) say about it?

Answer 20

‘Town that was murdered’

Question 21

What did the unemployed workers of Jarrow decide to do?

Answer 21

Do a crusade/ march to London

Question 22

Who was chosen to be Marshall of the march?

Answer 22

Councillor David Riley

Question 23

What is a crusade?

Answer 23

a vigorous campaign for political, social, or religious
change.
In the 1930s, the unemployed marched to London. 200 men
came from Jarrow (in the North East). This event became known
as the Jarrow crusade.

Question 24

How many men were chose to march?

Answer 24

200

Question 25

How many months preparation took place?

Answer 25

3 months Had to set up kits, rules for conduct, doctors examination...

Question 26

How many miles would be marched? How many per day?

Answer 26

300 miles 10-20 miles a day

Question 27

How many signatures appeared on the petition prepared by Ellen Wilkinson?

Answer 27

12000 signatures

Question 28

Who supported the march?

Answer 28

Clergy, miners, reporters, farmers, townspeople, medical students, policemen, political parties such as Tory and Labour

Question 29

Where did the marchers usually sleep en route and get meals from?

Answer 29

Workhouses or deserted pauper schools Food came from local town passing

Question 30

Who joined the men on the march?

Answer 30

7-8 journalists from the Daily Herald Well publicised Most were positive reports

Question 31

Why did people like the Jarrow marchers so much?

Answer 31

Seen as ‘family men’ Conducted themselves respectfully

Question 32

What information did the marchers collect from each town they visited?

Answer 32

Poor law rate Saw regional differences Towns health such as morality rates, TB rates Number of unemployed

Question 33

Who mended the men’s boots and gave them new clothes?

Answer 33

Co-operations and trade unions

Question 34

When did the Jarrow crusaders enter the capital?

Answer 34

October 31st

Question 35

How long had they been on the road by this point?

Answer 35

27 days

Question 36

What did the Jarrow Crusaders hope their petition would achieve?

Answer 36

Urgent need for employment and relieve distress of unemployment ‘Look forward to the future with trust and dignity ‘

Question 37

Why was it a bad time to be asking parliament for help?

Answer 37

1936 king abdicated, wanted to marry a divorce, this meant the constitution was in danger so they were pre-occupied

Question 38

Some limitations of the march

Answer 38

Said wouldn’t be received at Downing Street and communists/ fascists tried to get into the march- didn’t want it to become political

Question 39

What actually solved the Jarrow’s problem?

Answer 39

The SWW This was due to re-armament especially in shipbuilding (Navy) NOT THE GOVERNMENT

Question 40

How was the Jarrow march effective?

Answer 40

``` • Generated sympathy for the plight of the unemployed. Showed that they were responsible, law-abiding citizens. • Got support from other towns and cities along their route. Encouraged them to also take action. • Good publicity: journalists travelled with them. • Helped form positive perceptions of those in the North and old industries; led to later social reforms. ``` So in summary: Lots of different members of society involved, lots of publicity, showed that Poor was structural not moral because of information collected at different towns eg: mortality rates, seen as ‘family men’-liked,no disruption in march- shown as respectable and determined, elite members of society involved eg: Tory and Labour government

Question 41

How was the Jarrow march NOT effective?

Answer 41

``` • The petition was discussed by parliament for only a few minutes; nothing came of it. • The Jarrow marchers returned home empty-handed. When they get home, they found their dole had been cut because they weren’t available for work (even though there was no work to actually be had!). • The Trade Unions Congress (TUC) advised Labour Party branches to not offer any assistance to the marchers (however, many ignored this advice!). ``` So in summary: Not helpful in attitudes towards poverty as was only men not women Still faced restrictions on march- Poor not that accepted eg: wouldn’t be received at Downing Street Government didn’t do anything Still relied on assistance from trade unions, co-operations... 2 levels of employment, the First is minimum wage and the second is lowest - unemployment benefit ‘the doll’,receiving the doll meant that they were available for work, by doing the march they weren’t and therefore the doll was no longer available. Made situation worse and get nothing at all from state

Question 42

What were the aims of the hunger marches?

Answer 42

Employment Rights for workers Protection of old industries and intervention such as tariffs Draw attention- sympathy/ plight of the hungry Destroy capitalism (associating with communism)

Question 43

What does the NUWM stand for?

Answer 43

National Unemployed Workers Movement

Question 44

What did the 1927 march involve?

Answer 44

270 miners Unemployed march from wales to London Protest against the unemployment benefit and its restrictions such as being a British citizen for last 20 years, not receiving it if been in prison... Deliberately marched in November due to the opening of parliament Supported by local councils but opposition was from most such as trade unions and government meaning that demands were not met (failure)

Question 45

What happened in the 1932 march?

Answer 45

Anger because of the introduction of the means test in 1931 3000 marchers 18 starting areas Going to Hyde park in London Most were in old industries Wanted government to reconsider means test Had a petition with 1 million signatures The 3000 marchers were met by 2000 police, were there to remove them forcefully Government didn’t act but use of police and number of marchers (3000) drew a lot of attention to the cause

Question 46

What did the government start to use?

Answer 46

They trained spies to infiltrate the NUWM and reported back to handlers 1934 parliament passed Incitement to Disaffection Act (1936 was re-established) which said it was a criminal offence to seduce any of his majesty’s forces (like police) from duty or allegiance and have more power to police in their search Most of those arrested during the hunger marches was because of the charge of the incitement

Question 47

What was the means test?

Answer 47

1931 Introduced by government It considered the income of the household before benefits were given out, there was an income cap meaning you could only claim if savings were below a certain amount This means you could be paying into it for years, become unemployed and get nothing in return as other family members are earning above the required income

Question 48

What did the 1936 march involve?

Answer 48

10 contingent marchers converged on Hyde Park Labour Party gave support and Clement Attlee adresses crowd of 12000 from Wal Hannington Joined by Jarrow Marchers Focused on helping individuals and families get through benefit regulations (restrictions they faced)

Question 49

What were some of the successes of the hunger marches?

Answer 49

Did draw attention to cause eg:2000 police in 1932 march and in 1936 had support within the government (Labour Party and Clement Attlee) Large following and public support eg: crowds of 12000 in 1936 march which shows demand for change and put more pressure on government Government compelled to act/ respond in all eg: using spies, attitudes were therefore changing whether positive or negative Variety of locations United in cause and demands

Question 50

What were the failures of the hunger marches?

Answer 50

All 3 marches were unsuccessful and demands were not met Became more radical/ serious eg: introducing incitement to Disaffection Act, arrests... Even more restrictions by government eg: after 1927 march, in 1931 introduced means test which meant they had less rights 1932 march-violence, attitudes of poor, fearful of violence, no change in attitudes eg: reinforcing stereotypes and fear of communism (more threatened then change in views) No legislation

Question 51

Who was prime minister from 1929-1935?

Answer 51

Ramsay MacDonald

Question 52

Why might the government find it difficult to act out against poverty in the 1930s?

Answer 52

The Depression Debt-invest in certain industries, no money for welfare, low tax, unemployed working population. So overall balancing annual budgets was difficult as more needed benefits and fewer people paying taxes Scale of poverty Lack of trade eg:Depression also in the USA.Foreign investors had begun making withdrawals from London banks (1931 £33 million gold withdrawn) Increased threat of world wars (rise of Hitler and other fascists) Constitutional crisis This means the government would prioritise these issues over the poor and unemployed Rearmament of Nations

Question 53

How did the government address these financial difficulties?

Answer 53

Philip Snowden (chancellor of the Exchequer) set up a committee to reduce national expenditure Headed by Sir George May 1931- May Report was produced (but was in July) Calculated that £120 million was needed to balance the budget £23 million-increased taxation £97 million from cuts in government spending

Question 54

What were the recommendations of the 1931 May Report?

Answer 54

Reductions in armed services- pay £2million Cut unemployment benefit by 10% Teachers scalaires (cut)-£14 million Reductions in police pay-£1million Come of gold standard-causes £ value to drop, exports made cheaper, more competition in world markets

Question 55

What were the views of these recommendations?

Answer 55

Unemployment benefit cut was hugely controversial Snowden-not balances eg: reduction in education, should not be protected when cuts elsewhere Half of cabinet could not cut benefit-unemployment suffered enough

Question 56

What was the impact of the May Report on the reputation of the Labour Government?

Answer 56

Severely divided by May Report (legislation not being passed, no movement/change) Ramsay MacDonald offered resignation of his government to the king Unemployed still-all hope of alleviating poverty gone A coalition government was formed- National Government (majority being conservative but also labour and liberal)

Question 57

How far did they relieve poverty?

Answer 57

No intentions Cuts Didn’t meet employment demands Situation made worse

Question 58

What is the National Government?

Answer 58

Set up in 1931 after prime minister Ramsay MacDonald had resigned his labour government. It’s a coalition government made up of labour, conservative and liberal party members

Question 59

What were the aims of the National Government?

Answer 59

To solve the external threats like the constitutional crisis Reduce cuts made by labour government Employment Increase taxes Control of own money and savings Still continued issues, in the same environment

Question 60

What did the unemployment Act of 1934 say? What were it’s gains and limitations?

Answer 60

1934 Set up by National Unemployment Assistance Board Standardised dole payments Fiercely enforced Paid using means test (based on income) which was unpopular among the unemployed. In some regions were getting less then what they were previously getting Did not take local circumstances into account Government agreed to create new scales but not introduced until 1936

Question 61

What was the iron and steel federation (reform by government)?

Answer 61

Set up in 1932 Supervised old, unprofitable works and build new ones-create jobs especially in old industries

Question 62

What was the Special Areas Act?

Answer 62

Helped finance projects like steelworks at Ebbw Vale (created jobs) Helped specific regions with high unemployment (special areas) like South Wales, southern Scotland but also limitation as limited to these areas In May 1939- 273 factories were established under special Areas Scheme which employed 8500 people but in 1939 they had 226,193 unemployed- therefore there isn’t enough jobs available for the amount of people unemployed

Question 63

What did reform did the government make to shipbuilding?

Answer 63

Government loans to shipowners Enabled new liners like Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, this provided work for unemployed shipyard workers Shipowners could apply for government loans-1953 Get old ones and buy new ones Unique to industry

Question 64

Why was the National Government more successful then the Labour Government?

Answer 64

• Recovery was helped by factors that had little to do with the government itself. • From the mid 1930s, there was general recovery in world trade. • Re-armament increased. • The National Government lacked strong opposition (internally or externally). • Neville Chamberlain (CoE) introduced tariffs to protect agriculture.