The Decline of Staple Industries After 1919

Question 1

Describe the Political Setting in 1918

Answer 1

• Election held a month after end of war
• Liberal Coalition with the Conservatives was maintained
• Labour left coalition
• Known as coupon election - Lloyd George’s letter
• All men (over 21) + women over 30 could vote
• Coaliton gov. won - Lloyd George’s popularity
• Lloyd George = prisoner of the conservatives

Question 2

Describe the Economic Setting in 1918

Answer 2

• War left Britain in debt + exhausted
• During war government participation in economy had increased
• Key industries (e.g. coal + railways) had been completely taken over
• Labourers had been controlled + directed to new levels
• Taxation had increased
• Government had controlled prices + wages - prevent inflation + discontent
• Government wanted to return to per-war economic conditions

Question 3

What was the Post War Agitation?

Answer 3

• Government promises about living standards - “homes fit for heroes”
• War marked end of an age of innocence - reflected in growing militancy taking place in industry
• Sudden period of inflation caused by removal of government wartime controls of prices/profits/guaranteed wages
• Prices + profits rose but wages lagged
• Trade unions wanted to protect member - 2000 strikes during 1919/20
• Strikes were about wages, working conditions + disillusionment with post war Britain (e.g. difference in wealth)
• Communist ideas were popular at this time - Red flag in Glasgow

Question 4

What were the Difficulties in Mining?

Answer 4

• Miners wanted the mines nationalized because (during war) conditions improved + wages stabilised
• Government wanted the mines to be privitiesed soon after the war
• Miners’ Federation threatened national strike if demands were not met (6 hour days/30% wage increase/natioanlisation of the mines)
• Lloyd George was concerned about effects of national strike so compromised by offering 7 hour days + continued government control with the establishment of a Royal Commission under Lord Sankey to investigate problems - miners accepted

Question 5

Why was there a Short Term Boom Followed by a Slump at the end of the War?

Answer 5

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Question 6

Why was the National Insurance Act Extended in 1920?

Answer 6

• All workers earning less than £259 a year with some exceptions (e.g. domestic servants)

Question 7

Why was Extending the National Insurance Act Negative?

Answer 7

• At point of boom conditions were applied + mass unemployment not expected
• Slump caused the system not to cope - payments to unemployed outweighed the contributions
• Government extended scheme further to 2 16 week periods in any year with a gap in between
• Did not deal with cause only effect

Question 8

Describe the Effects of the Sankey Commission (1921)

Answer 8

• Mines returned to private ownership

- Lloyd George announced mines + railways would be returning to previous owners on 1st April 1921

Question 9

What was Black Friday?

Answer 9

• Mine Owners cut wages because of slump
• Requested that Triple Alliance (railway + transport workers) supported them in national strike
• Allies abandoned idea - miners viewed as betrayal
• Miners continues to Strike for 3 months
• Had to return to pits after being forced to accept reduction in wages

Question 10

Describe Geddes Axe

Answer 10

• Government rescued spending by £64 mil
• Cuts introduced in the poorest sections of society (armed forces/council houses/education)
• Labour wasn’t happy as it targeted poorest sections

Question 11

Describe the Addison Housing Act 1919

Answer 11

• Provided local authorities with money to build houses for the working class
• 213000 houses were built

Question 12

What Events Led to the Fall of Lloyd George.

Answer 12

• LG became dependent upon conservatives
• Splitting Ireland - many conservatives wanted to keep the whole of Ireland
• Threatening War on Turkey when they breached the treaty of Versailles

Question 13

What was the Carlton Club?

Answer 13

• Conservative meeting to decide whether to continue with the coalition
• 85 in favour + 185 against
• LG resigned + replaced with Andrew Bonarn Law

Question 14

Explain the Link Between Baldwin and Tariff

Answer 14

• Baldwin (conservative) prime minister end of 1922
• Issue of tariffs over imports from outside Empire divided Britain
• Liberal + Labour supporters believed in free trade + argued foreign imports kept the prices low for ordinary people
• Con=258 Lab=191 Lib=159 - Results was a clear defeat for protectionism

Question 15

Describe the First Labour Government.

Answer 15

• MacDonald was prime minister

- Gave Labour oppoertunity to establish its self/gain repetablility/give leaders experience of being in office

Question 16

Was the First Labour Government a Success?

Answer 16

SUCCESS
- Wheatley's Housing Act
- Funded some public work schemes 
FAILURE
- In office for less than a year 
- Did little to tackle unemployment 
- Threatened to use emergency powers against strikers (own supporters)

Question 17

What was the Wheatley’s Housing Act?

Answer 17

• Allocated state subsidies to local authorities to build houses for rent
• Extension of Addison Housing Act

Question 18

Describe the Downfall of the First Labour Government.

Answer 18

• MacDonald attempted to negotiate a treaty with the Soviet Union - seen as being pro-communist by Libs+Cons
• Government accused of being manipulated by far left elements
• Cons+Libs united to defeat Government in Commons
• Zinoviev’s Letter 4 days before election - forgery
• Labour lost 40 seats