life during the depression Flashcards
what was the amount of people unemployed in 1933
2.5 million
what was the dole and the means test
when people lost their jobs, they depended on the doll which allowed them to benefit from an insurance scheme for the first six months of unemployment in 1931. The means test was introduced. Officials visited families to assess whether they were entitled to help by finding out how much the families earned or possessed. intrusive and insensitive
why did the men test create problems for families?
Tensions were caused because if a mother had a part-time job or someone was living without paying rent that means test could result in the door being refused heirlooms had to be sold and savings must be spent before receiving a dole
when and what was the Jarrow hunger March?
1936 a non-political peaceful March to London with 200 men they had support and sympathy from the public along the way but little support from the government
After eight months, they reach London and the prime minister Stanley Baldwin ignored the petition
(the people who would marched had their doll payments reduced for making themselves unavailable to work)
when and what was the Ronda Valley marches?
In 1927 Rhonda was already struggling with high poverty levels attempted hunger March but didn’t take place
5 of September 1931 March to Bristol with the slogan struggle or starve
14th of October 1932 nationwide hunger March to London 2500 marches
How did family struggle when making ends meet?
The mail was often the sole breadwinner when he lost the job the whole family suffered
Women had to make the biggest sacrifices they would eat the smallest portions and avoid buying medicine when they were ill
Due to buying and eating cheaper food, families became malnourished and more likely to suffer from illness
Rowan tree survey on poverty line
John Boyd survey malnourish
Rowan tree created a survey and found that 72% of unemployed people in York lived below the poverty line
John Boyd publish survey results including 4.5 million people had an adequate diet
emigration from Wales
Families moved from Wales to less affected areas such as south east England or the Midlands and in their search for work a new on a new Hope
Why did popular entertainment become popular?
People needed a destruction to help them cope with the effects of the depression so they turn to accessible forms of entertainment to raise morale and offer a sense of escapism
Special areas act
1934
Approach introduced by the government to provide help for the areas worst hit by the depression
Grant companies £2 million to move to special areas which were areas the most impacted by unemployment
15,000 new jobs created
What were the benefits for people who are middle or upper class?
hire purchase
Prices fell so they could buy more luxuries
Seaside towns became popular holiday destinations
Increase in car ownership
New technology like vacuum cleaners and TVs
growth of light industries and new consumer items
New light industries emerged in 1930s powered by electricity instead of coal
Cars radios fridges were produced in modern factories
Clever advertising encourage customers to buy these items and more people did because their houses had mains electricity so they were attracted to new electrical consumer goods
What was two Britain’s?
The contrast of the older industrial region with areas of great employment
Areas with traditional industries suffered the most such as Jarrow “the town that was murdered”
Areas in the Midland and south-east of England saw the benefits they improved housing and rising employment and consumerism
