British society in the interwar period

Question 1

The economics of the 1920’s

Answer 1

low wages did not rectify throughout the 1920’s. 1922-29 6% drop.

• from 1929-32 wages fell by about 4%.
• from 1929-32 wholesale prices dropped by 25%
• the cost of living dropped by 12% from 1929-32

Question 2

The concept of structural unemployment

Answer 2

highest levels of unemployment during the inter-war period occurred in the traditional export industries.

• in 1932, 30% of coalminers, cotton, pottery workers were unemployed.
• cyclical: most of the unemployed were only unemployed for less than six months.
• However there was structural unemployment- unemployment due to long-term decline of certain industries, exacerbated by the inability of the factor markets to adapt.

Question 3

Was there an economic boom?

Answer 3

YES
Large sectors of the economy witnessed significant growth during the 1930’s. Especially the south
-from 1932-37 half the new factories of Britain were located in greater London, south east and midlands was 67% and 22% in wales.
-move towards new industries; Woolworths, marks and spencer’s and boots
General trend in numbers employed within the UK increased annualy

Question 4

Increasingly available foods

Answer 4

• doorstep milk deliveries by mid1930’s
• Heinz, cross and Blackwell offered tinned foods.
• Labour saving item became popular- instant custard, instant coffee
• Kellogg’s cornflakes.
• In 1935 there was 35,000 fish and ship shops in Britain.

Question 5

Impact of the lower cost of living

Answer 5

more disposable incomes meant the proliferation of cinemas, dances, the radio, women’s magazine, football pools and mass produced copies of fashionable clothes.

Question 6

Cultural changes in the 1930’s

Answer 6

radio becomes dominant mass media in Britain with the BBC using its influence to shape attitudes.
-the art of film making, the golden age of Hollywood entered a whole decade, after the talkies in 1927 and colour films in 1930’2 more than 50 classic films were made in the 1930’s; gone with the wind, the wizard of Oz, the drum, the four feathers.

Question 7

Was the national government able to raise the standard of living?

Answer 7

YES
Women’s life expectancy rose from 55 to 65 from 1931-38
-male life expectancy 52-61

NO
1938 Rowntree repeated his study in York and found 18% were still in poverty.
-the average unemployment rate from 1921 to 1939 was 14%