Industrial And Economic Change Throughout The Labour Period Flashcards
How did the boom of the 1920’s benefit workers?
. The 1920’s saw a period of rapid economic growth in which the demand for workers was ever increasing.
. The increased demand for workers and low levels of unemployment caused some employers to take conciliatory action, either through recognition or welfare capitalism.
. While it can be said that ‘welfare capitalism’ limited the rights of workers, there were some gains e.g. at Henry Fords factories:
. The working day was cut to 8 hours
. The daily wage was doubled
. And profit sharing was introduced.
How did the 1950’s benefit workers and were there any disadvantages?
. The 1950’s like the 1920’s were a period of prosperity which resulted in a rapid improvement in the position of workers.
. By the end of the 1970’s average income was some 35% higher than it had been at the end of WW2.
. As a result workers were able to take advantage of the prosperity bought about as a result of the economic boom e.g. 75% owned cars and 87% owned at least 1 TV.
. However the economic boom and increased prosperity meant that less workers were likely to support unions.
. This trend continued into the 1970’s with the rise of high tech and high skilled industries which led to a significant rise in wages but less overall concern for workers organisations.
How did the booms of the 1880’s and the 1920’s disadvantage workers and were there any benefits?
. The fall in demand that occurred at the end of the Gilded Age meant that fewer workers were needed and as a result employers were able to lower wages.
. Workers could do little about this as the unions present at the time did not have the power to take on employers and when they did violence usually endued which only weakened the position of the union.
. In some ways the Gilded Age was similar to the period after WW1 when the ensuing boom did little to further worker rights but workers did gain from the benefits of Welfare Capitalism.
