A level exam: Chapter 15-The social and cultural impact of the depression Flashcards
What were the changes in work opportunities?
Unemployment reached nearly 3 million by 1931 and for many people this meant suffering and life on the dole. New job opportunities arose in new industries but there were still not enough jobs for all of the unemployed. During the 1930s the economy started to recover and there were improvements in living standards. Real wages increased in value and there was greater spending on household appliances.
What were the changes in living standards?
Movement of people into suburbs improved living standards and 90% of the 1.1 million council houses built were in new suburban estates. Ownership of houses increased and new estates had electricity, lavatories and hot running water. Another survey by Rowntree found that 3/4 of unemployed men and their families lived in poverty but there was an improvement overall. His new poverty line was based on higher living standards and he found that the proportion of York’s population in poverty had fallen from 28 to 18%.
What were the changes in leisure?
The women’s cosmetic industry grew and working class women began to use make-up and perfumes. There was widespread attendance at cinemas and dance halls and people bought more books. The 1938 Holidays with Pay Act ensured all workers had at least a week’s paid holiday. By 1939 there were over 11 million people receiving paid holidays.
What social policies did the National Government introduce?
The Special Areas Act provided £2 million of aid to help those who most needed it. For example, depressed areas such as West Cumberland. Unemployment fell steadily although structural unemployment remained as staple industries remained depressed. The National Governments housing acts improved living conditions as subsidies were given to tackle slum clearance.
Who benefitted the most from social improvements?
The middle class as they bought spacious new homes and benefitted from the ‘cheap money’ which allowed them to get mortgages and to buy houses. They also benefitted from the new cars, fashion and household appliances.
Which areas of Britain were struggling?
Unemployment was higher in areas where staple industries were concentrates such as manufacturing areas in Birmingham, coal and steel areas in Yorkshire and Wales, textile areas in Lancaster and shipping areas in Newcastle. Towns that depended on one industry struggled most. For example, Jarrow where 70% of people were unemployed. In 1936 they marched 300 miles to London to petition to save the workforce. 200 men marched and when they got to London, Baldwin refused to meet them and the marchers returned home.
What were the literary responses to the Great Depression?
It encouraged reading and writing and so the number of books being published rose. All classes read and there was a variety of books from Agatha Christie detective stories to romantic books based on films. There were public libraries with modest fees and penguin books were published, expanding the book trade. Cheap paperbacks were sold and new book clubs were established to encourage reading.
What happened with radio?
By the 1930s, the radio was becoming a key addition to most hoes and almost half of households had bought a radio by 1932. By 1939 3/4 of all households had radios and the number of programmes available on the radio had increased. There was more light music, sport and comedy.
What changes were there in cinema?
The depression encouraged attendance to the cinema and this grew in popularity after the development of the talkies and colour films. By 1939 there were almost 5000 cinemas and around 20 million tickets were being sold each week. The cost of going to the cinema was around 6 pence and around 80% of the unemployed visited more than once a week. By 1936 20% of films released had to be British.
What were the international crisis?
The rise of fascist dictators Mussolini, Hitler and Franco and the development of a powerful Communist state under Stalin created fear of political extremes including fascism and communism. The conflict between communism and fascism was clearly shown in the Spanish Civil War when Hitler and Mussolini sent aid to the Spanish Nationalist leader Franco and the Soviet Union sent help to the Spanish Republicans.
What was the international crisis?
The rise of fascist dictators Mussolini, Hitler and Franco and the development of a powerful Communist state under Stalin created fear of political extremes including fascism and communism. The conflict between communism and fascism was clearly shown in the Spanish Civil War when Hitler and Mussolini sent aid to the Spanish Nationalist leader Franco and the Soviet Union sent help to the Spanish Republicans.
What was the reaction from Britain to the international crisis?
There was widespread determination to maintain peace and they put their faith in the League of Nations and collective security. The League of Nations Union organised a house to house poll and found that Britain was in support of the League of Nations and the reduction of armaments.
What was the impact of the international crises on literature?
Penguin books were encouraging political awareness and well known authors such as George Orwell contributed with their literature after fighting the Spanish Civil War. The Left Book Club was geared to exposed the wrongs of a fascist dictatorship and it built up 50000 members. In response to this, a right book club was set up to offer books to counter communism and left-wing views. However, it had less of an impact than the left book club.
