Life during the depression

Question 1

what was ‘the hungry thirty’s’?

Answer 1

• a time of mass unemployment, dole queues and hunger marches
• new methods and new jobs created

Question 2

what was the dole?

Answer 2

• money given out by the government to those unemployed for more than 39 weeks
• cut by 10% during depression
• unemployment act 1920

Question 3

what was the means test?

Answer 3

• for those unemployed for 6 months +
• houses inspected, could be forced to sell possessions before receiving dole

Question 4

what happened during the jarrow crusade hunger march 1936?

Answer 4

• 75% unemployed due to closure of shipyards
• 200 men and MP Ellen Wilkinson walked 300miles (Jarrow —> London)
• no government action

Question 5

What happened in the hunger march from the Rhonnda?

Answer 5

• 14th october 1932- 375 marches walked from Rhonnda —> London
• aim= abolish the means test
• confiscated by police

Question 6

what hunger marches in south wales occurred?

Answer 6

• 1935- Merthyr Tydfil, UAB offices attacked by women
• 1936- march from south wales —> London
• received little

Question 7

what did people (women in particular) do to help their families?

Answer 7

• went without food
• buy cheaper food
• women looked for domestic jobs
• resulting in less dole

Question 8

why did people emigrate from wales?

Answer 8

• less depression on areas like south-east England
• found work in industries as willing to work for less money
• 1920-1930- 430,000 left wales

Question 9

what happened in the special area acts?

Answer 9

1934- £2 million given to companies (England, Clydesdale, Wales, and Northern ireland) if the could make jobs
1936- rates/ tax reduction
1936-38- new industries opened
1938- £8 million spent: 14,900 jobs

Question 10

what were the forms of entertainment used?

Answer 10

radio- affordable, news, music
cinema- low prices, comfort, 4780 cinemas in Britain
sport- rugby, football, boxing