Unemployment In 1930s

Question 1

End of WW1 effects?

Answer 1

• War time jobs ended, soldiers returned

- Europe affected too, France + Belgium damaged badly so trade declined, Germany had to pay reparations

Question 2

Britain joined what in 1925?`

Answer 2

The Gold Standard, making the pound a strong currency and decreasing trade

Question 3

Unemployment levels in 1929 (before the crash)?

What does this show?

Answer 3

1.5 million, this shows unemployment was a problem even bridge the crash

Question 4

Worst year?

Answer 4

1932, 3.4 million unemployed

Question 5

Worst three years?

Answer 5

1931-33

Question 6

Why did the Wall Street Crash affect Britain so much?

Answer 6

• US couldn’t buy British goods
• US also recalled loans made to Britain
• European countries (especially Germany) suffered in similar ways, so they also couldn’t buy British goods
• World and European trade collapsed
• Britain was hit hard as an exporting nation, specialising in railway tech. , machinery, coal / steel / iron, shipbuilding

Question 7

What can you learn about the impact of the Depression upon Britain?

Answer 7

The North was badly hit whilst the South wasn’t affected as much, causing a divide in Britain

Question 8

George Orwell’s ‘The Road to Wigan Pier’ mentioned what places the unemployed went to?

Answer 8

• Public Library, to keep warm + study economics
• Public Lecture, shelter + keep warm
• Cinema, warmth + cheap + amusement (distraction)

Question 9

Physical / Material effects?

Answer 9

• forced to sell items
• no money for entertainment (football / cinema)
• premature aging due to bad diet

Question 10

Emotional effects?

Answer 10

• it breaks up families
• depressing and boring lifestyle
• embarrassment of no job, avoids contact with people