Unit 3.7 Flashcards
Why was Britain one of the countries affected by the Depression?
- The USA asked for their loans to be paid back in full immediately.
- The USA placed high tariffs on any foreign goods, leaving British manufacturers with limited markets as the USA had been Britain’s biggest trading partner.
What were the areas worse affected by the Depression in England?
- South Wales.
- Clydeside.
- North Western England
- North East England
- Northern Ireland
Why were these areas the worse affected by the Depression?
- These areas made up Britains Old 'Staple' industries: Coal Textiles Ship building Iron and Steel Cotton
How many ships were being built in 1930?
- 1.4 million tonnes.
How many ships were being built in 1933?
- 133,000 tonnes.
In 1929 how much did the production of steel fall by?
- 45%
In 1929 how much did the production of pig iron fall by?
- 54%
How many people were unemployed in Britain by 1932?
- 3 million people.
What parts of England received growth and prosperity in the 1930s?
- South and South-East of Britain.
Why did the South and South-East experience growth and prosperity in the 1930s?
- Workforce readily adapted to the new light industries (motor vehicles, chemical production, electrical engineering)
How many cars did the motor industry produce in 1937?
- 511,000 as opposed to 33,000 in 1913.
What was the ‘McKenna Duties’?
- Placed a 33.3% tariff on the importing of commercial vehicles.
What was ‘The Safeguarding of Industries Act’?
- Put a 33.3% tariff on synthetic chemicals.
To what extent did the Depression cause a ‘country of two nations’?
- Old industries were based in the North.
- New industries based in the South.
- 3 million people unemployed.
- Britain left with a limited market after USA no longer being a customer.
- USA demanded loans back so government stopped investing Old industries.
To what extent did other factors cause a ‘country of two nations’?
- Old industries were already in decline (Disarmament and foreign competition)
- Government supported the New Industries (Created Tariffs)
- Geographical concentration of jobs led to decline.
- New industries willing to adapt.
- Geographical location of Parliament (South).
How many people were unemployed in Jarrow by 1936?
- 75% of people.
What were the motives for the Jarrow March?
- Mass unemployment.
- Extreme poverty.
- Generate sympathy for the unemployed and the North in general.
What triggered the Jarrow March?
- The closure of Palmers Shipbuilding Yard.
- Had been the main employer of labour Jarrow.
How many people signed the Jarrow Marchers
petition?
- 11,000 people.
What did the petition request of parliament?
- Requested the re-establishment of industry in Jarrow.
What made the Jarrow March successful?
- National and local media coverage.
- Jarrow Marchers perpetuated the ‘family image’ which was so sought after due to the abdication crisis.
- On route, lots of people outwardly showed support for the Marchers.
- The Marchers gained support from both political parties.
- Generated sympathy for the unemployed and paved the way for a future of social reform amongst north and south.
- Despite being advised against it by the TUC many Labour Party Branches helped the marchers.
What made the Jarrow March unsuccessful?
- Rearmament was in response to WW2 not protests.
- Government preoccupied with Abdication Crisis.
- Government rejected receiving Marcher’s (despite them never asking to be received here) Shows lack of understanding.
- Their petition wasn’t heard and they went home empty handed.
- When the marchers did return home they found that their ‘dole’ had been completely cut as they no longer qualified (weren’t available to work).
- The Trade Unions Congress (TUC) advised Labour Party Branches to not offer ay assistance to the marchers.
What were the aims of the National Unemployed Workers Movement (NUWM)?
- Draw attention to the plight on the hungry.
- Destroy capitalism.
- Gain rights for the unemployed.
What did the NUWM do in 1922-1923?
- NUWM organises first hunger march of unemployed workers from economically depressed areas in London.
What did the NUWM do in 1927?
- First Welsh hunger march of out-of-work miners to London in protest of restrictions in unemployment benefits.
What did the NUWM do in 1930?
- NUWM organises second hunger march as unemployment rises following the 1929 Wall Street Crash.
What did the NUWM do in 1932?
- National hunger march of unemployed workers to London from several depressed areas of the country in protest against the means test.
What did the NUWM do in 1936?
October-November: Jarrow March against unemployment.
November: Final NUMW hunger march, joins the Jarrow Marchers for part of the Journey.
What are the successes of the NUWM?
- Following increased significantly with each march.
- Following was nation wide.
- Government saw them as threat (2000 extra police, use of spies, legislation passed.)
- Support of Labour Party.
- Media Coverage (positive.)
What are the weaknesses of the NUWM?
- Violence broke out from Marches.
- Didn’t have the same positive reputation as the Jarrow Marchers.
- Government were doing everything in their power in order to prevent the NUWM from progressing.
- Don’t achieve any implementation of legislation that favours their movement.
- Communist views.
- Media coverage (Negative).
Why did the Labour Government find it difficult to act out against poverty in the 1930s?
- Threat of WW2.
- Constitutional Crisis.
- Rearmament of nations.
- Demands of Depression.
- Foreign investors withdrawing from London Banks.
- Balancing the annual budgets was proving difficult.
When was the May Report produced?
- June 1941.
What did the May Report calculate?
- £120 million was needed to balance the budget.
- £23 million could be found in taxation.
- £97 million could be found from cuts in government spending.
What recommendations did the May Report make?
- Reductions in teachers salaries by £14 million.
- Reductions in police pay by £1 million.
- Cut unemployment benefit by 10%.
- Reductions in armed services pay by £2 million.
- Postponing road schemes by £8 million.
What benefit did Snowden reject protecting?
- The Unemployment benefit as there were cuts elsewhere.
Why did the cutting of the Unemployment Benefit divide parliament.
- The cutting of the Unemployment benefit was extremely controversial.
- Parliament argued that the unemployed had suffered enough already.
What impact did the May Report have on the reputation of the Labour Government?
- Government was left divided by the report.
When did Ramsay MacDonald resign his government?
- 23rd August 1931.
What was formed after the resignation of the Labour Government in 1931?
- A Coalition Government.
- Became known as the National Government.
What Parties made up the Coalition Government?
- Conservative party.
- Liberal Party.
- Labour Party.
Who held the majority in the National Government?
- The Conservative Party.
After the formation government what was the mood of the unemployed?
- It seemed that all hope of an alleviation of poverty and unemployment was gone.
What factors helped the National Government with Recovery?
- General recovery in World Trade.
- Weak pound, meant that British goods were cheap to but abroad.
- Exports began to rise again, creating more jobs.
- Armament production in response to Nazi threat.
- Lack of political opposition.
What tariff did Neville Chamberlain introduce in 1931?
- Import Duties.
- A general tariff barrier of 10%.
- Was done in order to protect British Industry.
By what percent did productivity increase in agriculture during the years 1931-1937?
- Productivity was increased by 15%.
What was the result of low interest rates on the late 30s?
- There was a housing boom.
- This boom created more jobs.
- ‘Feel good’ factors amongst first time home buyers.
What was Chamberlain able to do in 1935?
- Fully restored public salaries to their pre-1931 levels.
What was the 1934 Unemployment Act?
- Standardised Dole Payments.
