changing living standards Flashcards
what was economy like between 1918-1920?
there was a boom:
- consumer affluence
- Lloyd George “land fit for hero’s”
- initially demobbed soliders returned to work and it looked as though the economy would continue to be prosperous and living standards would rise.
what happened during 1920-1930?
Recession:
- unemployment rose (1/3 of ex-servicemen were unemployed)
- regional disparity, 1932 (height of the depression) south were doing better than the north due to declining in heavy Industry e.g. ship building and docking
- 1932, 11% of southeast London was unemployed compared to 40% in Wales.
- Hunger: mothers would good hungry to feed their children.
what was the impact of rationing?
1942 - restaurants were also rationed
- improvements to diets
- decline in infant mortality
- ensured the vast majority of the population were on the same rationing of food irrespective of money
what was the impact of WW2 on jobs?
- more jobs created
- better pay and working conditions
- Creches established for women working factories
- 1941 November the first creche was established
in 6 months there was 667 creches that were either open or in the process of being set up.
what occurred between 45-51?
Austerity;
- rationing lasted some longer than others e.g. bread
- the US ended Britain’s financial life line in 1945
- this made raising the standard of living more difficult.
what was a huge problem regarding housing after WW2
homelessness - due to the bombing and destruction of homes. this was dealt with through:
- pre-fabricated housing - cheap housing which could be quickly assembled. e.g. Excalibur estate in southeast London and was a product of the housing and temporary accommodation act 1944 small two bedroom houses were built.
- Blocks of flats built in Harlow and Essex known as lawn flats to ammend the problem of loss of houses for the working class (1951) Lansbury Estate was also built in a popular area of east LDN which had also been bombed 1949.
- New towns act 1946 - gov invested in housing due to large homelessness but also due to the belief that they had a social responsibility to improve LS created 14 new towns across UK e.g. Telford for many WC these houses represnted improvements of living.
what happened to consumer spending during the 50’s - 60’s ?
- consumer spending on labour saving devices increased
- 1966 60% of households had a washing machine.
what was consumer credit?
the emergence of credit card enabled consumers to borrow and spend money, which was previously frowned upon.
- this increased the amount of consumer demand, - there was also greater consumer choice due to foriegn foods and drinking grew due to cheaper travel.
what was ADMASS?
prosperity was enjoyed through the 50’s and 60’s however some where weary about the growth of consumerism.
Admass describes a new commuity of mass consumption and advertising which encouraged superficiality.
who didn’t benefit from the boom in consumer society during the 50’s?
- housing and charity centre was helping 12,000 homeless people in 1966
- in 1967 7.5 million were living below the poverty line
- this mainly impacted the elderly.
what were high rise flats?
1960’s new system built to replace terrace housing in inner city areas.
what happened at Ronan Point flat?
1968 an explosion occurred in Ronan point flat in London killing three people - this scandal was brought to national attention and this was due to builders using newspaper instead of concrete in certain parts of the building.
what survey indicated that hurger was a persistant factor in the lives of many unemployed families?
- 1933 a survey concluded that unemployment benedits were insfufficient to provide a min diet reccomended by the Ministry of Health.
- money was spent on food meaning that there was nothing less for clothes and possesions and therefore possessions people did own became shabby and worn.
what was tick?
- an agreement between a local grocer and customer that they could have food for free and pay later
- which enabled families to make ends meet
although there was a lot of areas which suffered from the great depression, what areas did standard of living actually increase?
- areas of “light industry” such as the production of household appliances in 1933 grew in south east of England and these more prosperous areas experienced a consumer boom.
