Industry

Question 1

Reasons for the decline in the heavy industry post-war

Answer 1

1. Foreign ship builders were more productive which led to some Scottish shipyards closing down
2. Coal fields production fell 1913-42.5 million to 16.8 million in 1926.
3. Scottish coal was expensive as it was hard to get out the ground
4. The use of oil meant coal production declined
5. Strikes by miners due to wage cuts gave mining a bad reputation which led to a lack of investments into coal mining
6. Many mills were built in India -where jute came from - which meant factories producing just in Scotland suffered
7. jute industry in Dundee was affected by the post-war decline in demand for sandbags
8. A lack of demand for ships after the war caused a decline in the shipbuilding industry on the Clyde

Question 2

Fishing

Answer 2

1. The government gave compensation to boats that were used during the war however the money was not enough to fix the damage that had been done to them during the war
2. After the war overseas countries never bought fish from Scotland at the same rate as beforehand
3. Before the war Scotland sold large amounts of fish to Russia and Germany however the war ended this. Either because they were enemies or it was impossible to transport
4. Government used some fishing boats and ports for war work, this hurt the industry

5.Many of the men that went to war to fight came from small fishing communities and this made fishing difficult
6. German U-boats patrolled the North Sea which meant that fishing was reduced
7. the fishing industry declined due to a loss of foreign markets which led to unemployment
8. In 1920 the government removed the guaranteed price for the herring. As a result, the price of herring dropped dramatically; it was no longer profitable; and for twenty years the industry went into a steep decline.

Question 3

Farming

Answer 3

1. No more financial help from the government after 1920
2. Fewer workers due to machines
3. World food prices fell by 25%
4. Loss of farm workers as many joining the army to fight in the war and died
5. Many horses used for farming went to war and died
6. Farmers struggled to access resources for farming such as feed for the animals
7. the war changed the crops that were grown, for example, less meat was produced

Question 4

New Industries

Answer 4

1. Scotland was not well connected to the national grid for electricity
2. The new industries thrived in England not Scotland
3. New industries in the 20s and 30s producing consumer goods. Electric vacuums, fans, irons, radios and automobiles
4. These factories producing the goods were built near their customers usually in Central and Southern England
5. These factories were powered by electricity
6. Advertisement for these products encouraged the public to buy them as they promised it would give them more time for leisure activities