Life During The Depression Flashcards
How were some people effected during the Depression?
Women would often suffer and fall short for their families- causing the death rate in women especially to rise due to malnutrition, families were so desperate many had to hunt for food, many families would be split up and moved away for domestic servant jobs, often children would die due to lack of nutrition and theyre immune systems would come so weak they would catch many diseases like bronchitis.
What was the means test?
An inspector would come (old nosey) and determine the value of their belongings and would give money where appropriate, although the government avoided giving out money so it was the bare minimum.
What was the unemployment act 1934?
Government cut the boundaries for the means test even further, benefits were paid to those only in desperate need.
What was one factor that could result in the dole being refused?
if older siblings worked or there was a relative living in the house without paying rent.
Describe the jarrow marches and was it successful?
March 1936, lots of people in Jarrow became unemployed causing the people to walk in a peaceful protest from Jarrow to London on a 14 day walk, they gained a lot of support and publicity however the government just ignored it and reduced their dole payments even more.
How did women make ends meet?
Women were given very little to work with, they would try to survive and provide to their families off of the bare minimum dole payments. They would buy cheap food and replace things like milk with sugar water and use newspaper instead of nappies. Although due to this very short budget many women would go without eating to make sure their family had enough, this would make them very malnourished and in alot of cases would result in death.
Why did people emigrate from Wales?
Many went to places with more employment which tends to be within England. Welsh industries kept declining further and further so the government helped welsh people find work elsewhere. Approx 430,000 people left during 1920s to 1930s. Often the government would help relocate people to better living conditions also making it more appealing.
How did the growth of light industries help the economy?
More light industries were becoming a thing, their factories would be powered by electricity meaning they didnt have to built near coal fields making them more affordable. They would produce stuff like cars, washing machines, radios, fridges and wealthier families would be able to afford this, increasing the stability of the economy.
How did credit schemes help rebuild the economy?
Many shops would allow credit as part of payment, they would make payments when they could and every so often which encouraged people to buy things and pay it off over time
How did people cope during the depression?
Radios- became cheaper in the 1930s, allowing for in house entertainment, even offered in welsh which allowed everyone to be included.
Cinemas- Very popular as it was cheap to see and it was finally offered with sound and sometimes even colour, there became an attraction of Hollywood stars and allowed people to join as a community
Sport- following sport was a popular form of entertainment, many would watch the rugby union and follow famous athletes like Tommy Farr from wales, this helped distract people and people victories would make reality feel optimistic.
What was the Special Areas Act 1934?
Appointed commissioners to oversea grants to places worst hit by the Depression, it showed the government was trying to help but it still wasn’t enough to solve the entire issue.
What changes benefitted people during the depression?
Councils would build houses which ensured cheaper rent as they werent looking to make a profit, wealthier had the benefit of things being cheaper, family sizes fell reducing overcrowding.
What areas most suffered during the depression?
Rhondda valley- coal mining
Lancashire- Cotton factories
Jarrow became overall deprived and the local MP ruled it as the town that had been murdered.
