Change and Challenge in the work place: Before War

Question 1

What changed within industries after both of the world wars?

Answer 1

Technology became more advanced, which led to the decline of traditional industries. One mistake Britain made post WW1 was that we returned to our staple industries when we should have focused more on technology like cars for example.
Opening of new markets led to international competition, and although this was good, trade unions defended pay, jobs and working conditions. This led to strikes.

Question 2

Why did traditional industries decline post WW1?

Answer 2

Development of new technology.
With Britain being occupied with war, Japan and the US filled the gap Britain left in the market. When Britain returned, their share of the market was filled with rivals.

Question 3

From 1932-33, to what did unemployment rise to?

Answer 3

3 million.

16.4% were unemployed for over a year.

Question 4

Why did the coal miners have such a large problem with how they were treated?

Answer 4

597,158 people were injured in the mines which shows how dangerous it was for the workers.
They felt underpaid.

Question 5

What union supported the interest of the miners?

Answer 5

MFGB: Miners Federation of Great Britain. Supported the interests of 1 million miners.

Question 6

What did the Sankey Commission recommend?

Answer 6

1919

Recommended government ownership.

Question 7

In 1921 what happened to ownership?

Answer 7

Privatized.

Wages couldn’t keep up with prices.

Question 8

What did the mine owners agree to in 1925?

Answer 8

Agreed to maintain wages but failed to do so when we returned to the gold standard.
The working day then ncreased to 8 hours.
‘Not a minute on the day, not a penny off the pay’