The Depression Years 1930-1939 Flashcards
What was Britain’s economy built on before WW1?
Heavy industrial goods like coal, steel, shipbuilding and textiles.
Why did the traditional industries begin to decline after WW1?
- Rising production costs
- Obsolete methods
- Failure to mechanise
- Increased competition from other countries i.e. USA, Germany and India.
When was the General Strike?
1926
What was the General Strike?
In May 1926, the miners went on strike and the other industry joined them in an act of solidarity.
What were the results of the General Strike?
- The miners were defeated
- The Trade Unions Congress was ruined
- General strikes were made illegal in 1927
Why did the General Strike fail?
1) The government was already ready.
2) The middle class opposed the strike so teamed up against the strikers.
3) The Labour Party leaders betrayed the strikers.
Why did the Wall Street Crash send Britain into a depression?
- Production slumped as nobody could afford products.
- Workers laid off as factories could not support them. This meant that demand for products fell even more.
- Lots of countries introduced high import taxes to encourage people to buy locally which meant that the export market shrank.
What was the National Government? When was it set up?
It was a coalition of the three major parties designed for them to put aside political differences and focus on the socioeconomic crisis. It was set up in 1931.
What was the dole?
Unemployment benefits paid for a person’s first six months of unemployment - after which point they would be means tested.
Who carried out the means tests?
Public Assistance Committees.
Why was the means test unpopular?
Many felt that it’s intrusiveness and insensitive execution was frustrating, offensive and degrading to the poor.
What kind of things were looked at during the means test?
- Number of occupants of a household.
- Quality of food possessed.
- The presence of any potentially sellable items.
What was the going rate for the dole?
15 shillings for a couple and 5 shillings for each child.
What happened to the dole in 1931?
It was cut by 10%
How many people in Britain were unemployed?
3 million
What two areas were worst affected by unemployment? Why?
Northern England and South Wales because they were still dependant on traditional industries - in which unemployment was at twice the average rate.
What term is used to describe the areas worst affected by unemployment?
Black spots
What is meant by “making ends meet”?
This refers to the extreme measures women went through to maintain their homes on a limited budget. This often included giving up their food for their children and seeking poor jobs in retail and other domestic services.
Why did unemployment have a negative effect on the mental health of men?
Men were used to being the breadwinners of their families so felt embarrassed and that they were letting their families down.
What was migration like in Britain during the 1930s?
Lots of people from the black spots to the South which wasn’t as badly affected.
What did King Edward VIII do in 1936?
He toured Wales to see the effects the depression was having on the people. He was appalled and said, “Something must be done.”
What were Hunger Marches?
Demonstrations in which people living in black spots marched to parliament as protesting in the deprived areas wasn’t having an effect. It was hoped that they would encourage the media to report the story and highlight the plight.
