social developments 1914-39 Flashcards
social developments 1914-39
North South divide:
-northern towns (Newcastle, leeds) high levels of unemployment, were reliant on staple industries
-south east and midlands saw unemployment fall, new light industry, chemical and motor cars dominated
-stats: unemployment rose from 18.2% to 22% in coal from 29-32, cotton rose from 14.5 to 27.7
changing attitudes:
-mass unemployment affected attitudes and beliefs
-state had to get more involved to alleviate poverty
-divorce rates rose and brith rates fell
growth of media and cinema:
-respectable place to visit, ‘picture places all around
-ticket sales increased, 80% of jobless in Glasgow went at least once/week
radio
-BBC formed in 1922
-1939, nine million licence holders: one single source
-1926: government used BBC to get across general strike message
-1931: attack over means test
literature:
-critical of pre-war institutions, Lady Chatterley’s lover banned until 1960
-magazines:
-large increase in number of women magazines, big focus on home with happy husband, advice on fashion, household management
Acts introduced from 1919-39
Housing
-1919 Addison housing act, 170k houses built by 1922
-1924 Wheatley housing act: changes for state sub £6 to £9 and 20 years to 40 years
-Greenwood housing Act 1924: speed up slum destroying. 1931-34: act stopped but over 700k houses built
education and health:
-fishers education act 1918: made school compulsory up to 14, some LA’s did not adopt and not many stayed
-haddow report 1926: suggested division at 11, grammar schools to be set up
health:
-Dawson report 1920: hospitals linked to single system outline NHS but would take 30 years
-tuberculosis act 1921: obliged country and borough councils to provide care to tb patients
pensions:
1919: doubled to ten shillings from 5 in 1908, up to 70
-1925: widows, orphans and old age contributory pensions act: employee and employer paid into in and from age 65
welfare:
-unemployment insurance act 1920: earning less than £250, could be claimed for 15 weeks ar 15 shillings for man and 12 for women. agricultural labourers excluded
-unemployment insurance act 1921: introduced the dole (not require worker contribution), paid for two period of 16 weeks, second on means test
-unemployment act 1934: unemployment assistance board, many areas rate paid was a lot less
