Ho Far Did Living Standards Change In Britain 1918-79 Flashcards
What are the key questions regarding the changes in Britain from 1918 to 1979?
- How far did living standards change in Britain between 1918 and 1979?
- In what ways and to what extent did mass popular culture affect British society between 1918 and 1979?
- To what extent did the British experience of travel and leisure pursuits change between 1918 and 1979?
These questions guide the exploration of social and economic transformations in Britain during this period.
Define social capital.
The value gained from social networks in terms of trust, co-operation, mutual aid and a sense of connectedness.
Social capital can significantly influence community well-being and individual opportunities.
What is real income?
This measure of income takes into account the effect of inflation on what can be bought with money earned at a particular time.
Real income is considered more useful for analyzing changes in the standard of living over time compared to nominal wages.
What primary factors determine a person’s standard of living?
- Access to clean water
- Adequate sanitation
- Quality of diet
- Standard of housing
- Availability of healthcare
These factors contribute significantly to physical well-being.
What additional variables might affect standard of living?
- Work-life balance
- Levels of social capital
- Impact of relative poverty on satisfaction
These less tangible variables can influence perceptions of quality of life.
How did income levels affect living standards in 20th-century Britain?
Income levels have been the key determinant of living standards.
The fivefold growth of average real income between 1918 and 1979 significantly improved diets, housing, and health.
What role did state intervention play in improving quality of life?
State intervention through legislation, targeted spending, or propaganda played a large role in improving quality of life, especially during the post-war consensus years.
This intervention was crucial in addressing the needs of the population.
What technological advances contributed to changes in living standards?
- Communications
- Transport
- Domestic life
While these advances contributed to changes, they did not always lead to straightforward improvements.
What was the impact of the post-war boom and subsequent recession on real income between 1918 and 1939?
A short post-war boom collapsed into a severe recession in 1921, with wages falling for the poorest until 1934.
Many families had to manage on less than £5 a week during this period.
What happened to living standards for most Britons between the wars?
Living standards improved largely because prices, especially for food, fell faster than wages; the real cost of living fell by more than a third between 1920 and 1938.
This improvement was notable despite the economic challenges of the time.
What significant act was passed in 1919 related to housing?
Housing and Town Planning Act
This act marked an important step in addressing housing needs in Britain.
When was the BBC established?
1922
The establishment of the BBC marked a significant development in British media.
What was the significance of the first Butlins holiday camp opening?
The first Butlins holiday camp opened at Skegness in 1937, marking a shift in leisure pursuits.
It represented a new era of accessible leisure for the British public.
Fill in the blank: The impact of _______ and recovery significantly affected living standards in Britain between 1918 and 1939.
boom
Economic fluctuations had a profound impact on the quality of life during this period.
What was the estimated improvement in the quality of life in York between 1809 and 1936?
The quality of life in York improved by 30 percent between 1809 and 1936.
What factors contributed to the improvement in quality of life in York?
The improvement was largely due to an increase in real wages and the use of contraception, particularly condoms.
What was the average number of children born to British women by the late 1920s?
By the late 1920s, British women had an average of 2.19 children, compared to 4.6 children in the 1880s.
How did family size impact family incomes?
Smaller family sizes meant that family incomes were shared between fewer people, allowing them to go further.
What was the average annual real wage in 1930?
The average annual real wage in 1930 was 100.0.
What was the impact of World War I on health and diet?
The war had a disastrous impact, with 702,000 deaths and 1,670,000 wounded, but also led to unexpected improvements in civilian life due to war economy demands.
What effect did the Defence of the Realm Act have on alcohol consumption?
The Act forced a decline in alcohol consumption, which continued into peacetime.
What was the conclusion of the 1936 study ‘Food, Health and Income’?
The study concluded that the average diet was better than before 1914, despite large variations in nutritional standards.
What was the difference in meat consumption between the top and bottom 10 percent of the population?
The top 10 percent consumed over 3lbs of meat per week, while the bottom 10 percent consumed only 1.5lbs.
How did healthcare improve between the wars?
By 1922, infant mortality had halved from 1900 levels, and diseases like tuberculosis and typhoid killed far fewer people.
What was the infant mortality rate in Wales compared to Kensington in London?
The infant mortality rate was 5.17 deaths per 1,000 live births in Wales and 0.86 in Kensington.
What was the status of hospital care across different regions?
Hospital care was a ‘postcode lottery’ with varying levels of support across different areas.
What significant event occurred in 1953?
Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on 2 June 1953.
When did food rationing end in the UK?
Food rationing ended in 1954.
What notable event happened in 1966?
England hosted and won the football World Cup in 1966.
What legislation was passed in 1975?
The Safety of Sports Grounds Act was passed in 1975.
What cultural milestone occurred in 1977?
The Sex Pistols released ‘God Save the Queen’ in 1977.
What were the regional variations in quality of life in Britain from 1918 to 1997?
Areas reliant on traditional industries, such as shipbuilding and coal, fared worse than those with newer industries like chemicals and car production.
Which regions were key areas of traditional industry?
Clydeside, Northumberland, Lancashire, and South Wales were key areas of traditional industry.
How did traditional industries in Britain fare during the Great Depression?
Traditional industries faced a contraction in demand, leading to high unemployment rates.
What was the peak unemployment rate in Britain during the Great Depression?
Unemployment rose to almost three million in 1932 and 1933.
What percentage of those needing relief were jobless for over a year by 1932?
By 1932, 16.4 percent of those in need of relief had been jobless for over a year.
Where was long-term unemployment concentrated in 1944?
85 percent of all long-term unemployment was located in the north of England, South Wales, and Scotland.
What was the impact of the closure of Palmer’s shipyard in 1936?
The closure led to a march by unemployed shipbuilders in Jarrow, drawing national sympathy.
What determined the amount of dole money before 1937?
Family circumstance rather than region determined how far the dole stretched.
What did Helen Forrester describe in her autobiographical account?
She described the long wait at the unemployment exchange and the struggles of working men dependent on the shipping industry.
What was the percentage of car ownership in the south-east compared to the north?
Car ownership was 20 percent in the south-east and 12 percent in the north.
How did electrification impact consumption in Britain?
The number of electricity consumers increased significantly, from 730,000 in 1920 to nine million in 1938.
What was the average electricity consumption in kilowatt-hours in the south-east in 1938?
Homes in the south-east consumed an average of 861 kilowatt-hours in 1938.
What was the average electricity consumption in the north-east in 1938?
Homes in the north-east used only 386 kilowatt-hours in 1938.
What was the impact of the Second World War on the British population?
Everyone was affected by conscription and the war effort, with significant impacts on industry and daily life.
What was the impact of the Great Depression on employment in Britain?
The Great Depression led to almost three million people needing relief in Britain.
In 1944, William reported that 62 percent of the population was affected.
What does ‘standard of living’ refer to?
‘Standard of living’ refers to the level of wealth, comfort, material goods, and necessities available to a certain socioeconomic class or geographic area.
What was the total average expenditure on non-food items in the North-east region?
The total average expenditure on non-food items in the North-east region was 2.57.
This is part of a broader analysis of regional expenditures.
What was the total average expenditure on food in the South-east region?
The total average expenditure on food in the South-east region was 1.78.
What was the effect of the Second World War on British civilians?
The Second World War was ‘total’ for Britain, affecting everyone through rationing, conscription, and loss of life.
60,000 civilians were killed by German bombs, primarily in London during the Blitz.
How many houses were destroyed during the Second World War?
Two out of every seven houses, approximately 3.5 million, were destroyed during the Second World War.
What was the National Service Act of September 1939?
The National Service Act required all men aged 18-41 to be conscripted for armed service, except those in essential war jobs.
How many children were evacuated from towns and cities during the war?
Over a million children were evacuated from towns and cities to the countryside during the war.
What were Essential Work Orders?
Essential Work Orders were issued by the government to force workers to take and remain in certain jobs during the war.
What was the impact of the Battle of Britain on food imports?
Britain struggled to import enough food due to the loss of shipping to German submarines during the Battle of Britain.
How did rationing affect food consumption during the war?
Rationing helped to level out food consumption between classes, often resulting in a healthier diet for the working class.
What role did government price controls play during the war?
Government price controls made a wide range of goods more affordable for the poorest families, especially as average wages almost doubled during the war.
What were ration coupons used for?
Ration coupons could be exchanged for food in shops and for a filling, hot meal at a ‘British Restaurant.’
What initiative did the Ministry of Food promote?
The Ministry of Food encouraged people to ‘dig for victory’ by converting gardens and public parks into allotments.
What was the purpose of the Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts?
It was formed to lift people’s spirits by financially supporting theatrical and musical tours across the country.
What was the initial government response to cinemas during the war?
The government initially closed all cinemas, but they were reopened within a month due to a wave of complaints.
What were the three ways the war brought about a social and economic revolution according to Arthur Marwick?
- Challenge to existing institutions, leading to transformation. 2. Participation of underprivileged classes in the community. 3. A strong moral feeling for a better post-war society.
What does the term ‘austerity’ refer to in the context of individuals?
Austerity for individuals means a preference for a plain, disciplined existence.
What does ‘austerity’ mean for an economy?
For an economy, austerity means tough conditions imposed by the government to cut spending.
How did austerity affect British lifestyles during and after the Second World War?
Almost every Briton was forced to adopt an austere lifestyle due to financial sacrifices needed to wage total war.
What percentage of consumer expenditure was controlled by rationing in 1946?
In 1946, roughly a quarter of all consumer expenditure was controlled by rationing.
When was bread rationed after the war?
Bread was rationed between 1946 and 1948, even though it had escaped rationing during the war.
When was rationing finally abandoned in Britain?
Rationing was gradually rolled back and finally abandoned in 1954.
What was Britain like between 1945-51?
Britain faced austerity with rationed goods, limited consumer products, and a lack of modern conveniences.
Examples include no teabags, no lager, and no vinyl records.
What was the state of consumerism in Britain post-1951?
Britain began to transition into a consumer society with increased production of consumer goods and a rise in disposable income.
This shift included user-friendly shops and easily available credit.
What does consumerism refer to?
Consumerism is a series of attitudes and behaviors associated with the consumption of goods, often viewed negatively.
It suggests that people prioritize spending money on consumer goods over other values.
How did the quality of life change in Britain from 1918-79?
The quality of life improved significantly, with increased domestic energy consumption and better living conditions.
Gas sales doubled and electricity sales quadrupled between 1951 and 1970.
What was the impact of central heating in homes?
Central heating transformed homes into more comfortable living spaces, allowing for leisure throughout the entire house.
Central heating rose from 5% of homes in 1960 to 100% in 1977.
What was the significance of television ownership in Britain?
By 1970, almost every household had a television, indicating a major shift in consumer habits and leisure activities.
This contributed to the demand for other domestic luxuries.
What were some common household appliances in the 1960s?
Telephone, Central heating, Dishwasher, Microwave oven, Video recorder, CD-player, Home computer
How did personal appearance and hygiene change between 1947 and 1970?
Personal appearance and hygiene became more important, with a significant rise in advertising spending.
Advertising spending rose threefold between 1947 and 1970.
What was the percentage of women aged 16 to 64 using deodorant before 1957?
Only 32 percent of women aged 16 to 64 used deodorant before 1957.
How did the use of deodorants change by 1969?
By 1969, over half of all men and women regularly used scented deodorants, perfumes, or aftershaves.
What fashion trend emerged in the mid-1960s?
New fashions, such as the Look, made it difficult to determine a young woman’s class based on her clothing.
Who were some influential designers in the 1960s?
Designers like Mary Quant and Barbara Hulanicki were influential in the fashion scene.
What was the significance of Mary Quant’s clothing?
Mary Quant’s clothes were initially for ‘rich girls’, while Biba’s clothes were accessible to everyone.
What role did advertising play in fashion during the 1960s?
Fashion received significant publicity in newspapers, partly due to the launch of color sections and new photographers.
Photographers like David Bailey, Brian Duffy, and Terence Donovan contributed to this publicity.
What did Mary Quant believe about the attention fashion received?
Mary Quant believed that fashion attracted attention in newspapers because it reflected societal changes, such as affluence and consumerism.
Who was known as Twiggy?
Twiggy was a famous model and cultural icon in the 1960s.
What significant change occurred in retail during the 1950s?
The rolling back of Retail Price Maintenance (RPM) led to the growth of out-of-town supermarkets.
When did the first out-of-town supermarket open?
The first out-of-town supermarket opened in 1960.
What was the impact of the expansion of supermarkets?
The expansion led to the closure of many small shops and a shift in consumer shopping habits.
What was the role of the Consumer Association founded in 1957?
The Consumer Association aimed to help consumers make sense of their choices and launched the magazine ‘Which?’.
What was the purpose of the Ministry for Consumer Affairs?
It aimed to protect consumers and existed from 1972 until 1983.
What was a major reason for the growth of hire purchase?
The difficulty and social unacceptability of obtaining credit.
What was the impact of the 1974 Consumer Credit Act?
It clarified the rights and responsibilities of lenders and borrowers, leading to increased consumer borrowing.
When were credit cards first used in Britain?
Credit cards were first used in Britain in 1966.
What is Retail Price Maintenance (RPM)?
RPM was an agreement between producers and vendors to set a minimum price for products.
What legislation undermined RPM on grocery products?
The Restrictive Trade Practices Act (1956) undermined its use on grocery products.
What did the Res Prices Act (1964) do to RPM?
It virtually abolished RPM, except in cases deemed to be in the best interests of the public.
