Britain in Depression Flashcards
What is the Great Depression?
A massive financial collapse that happened in the USA.
Why was Britain affected by the Great Depression?
Due to the trade and financial links between Britain and the USA.
What industries did the Great Depression impact? 4
- coal
- steel
- textiles
- shipbuilding
Why were industries failing? 2
- lack of demand
- foreign competition
- new technology
Coalition government?
More than one party comes together to form the government of the country.
Who was the PM?
Ramsay MacDonald from the Labour Party.
Who was chancellor of the exchequer?
Neville Chamberlain.
Why are coalitions significant?
They only happen in times when there is a need for parties that are usually in competition, to work together.
National government?
A coalition government, especially one subordinating party differences to the national interest in a time of crisis.
What did the government do? 7
- 10% cut on wages of government employees = made people poorer ❎
- coming off gold standard = reduced the cost of British exports ✅
- 10% tariff (tax on imported products) = encouraged other countries to do the same ❎
- Ottawa Agreement = allowed free trade in the Commonwealth ✅
- amalgamation = caused many small businesses to shut down ❎
- Special Areas Act = only helped the least badly hit areas ❎
- Means Test = caused misery, hardship and humiliation to many ❎
What was the means test?
A way of assessing whether people were poor enough to seek benefits.
What impact did the means test have?
- very intrusive = inspectors would be sent to your house to rummage through your personal belongings
- broke families apart = put pressure to kick out anybody who was earning money in their family
- humiliating = obvious when the inspectors visited households and seen as humiliating if you were on the dole
What caused the Jarrow Crusade?
Shutting of the Palmer’s ship yards because it resulted in 70% of the people of Jarrow without a job.
What did Ellen Wilkinson do?
The local MP (Labour) organised the unemployed men to do a hunger march to London to raise awareness for the plight of the town.
How long was the Jarrow March?
280 miles and 22 stops.
