Unit 3.7 Flashcards
1
Q
Why was Britain one of the countries affected by the Depression?
A
- 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.
2
Q
What were the areas worse affected by the Depression in England?
A
- South Wales.
- Clydeside.
- North Western England
- North East England
- Northern Ireland
3
Q
Why were these areas the worse affected by the Depression?
A
- These areas made up Britains Old 'Staple' industries: Coal Textiles Ship building Iron and Steel Cotton
4
Q
How many ships were being built in 1930?
A
- 1.4 million tonnes.
5
Q
How many ships were being built in 1933?
A
- 133,000 tonnes.
6
Q
In 1929 how much did the production of steel fall by?
A
- 45%
7
Q
In 1929 how much did the production of pig iron fall by?
A
- 54%
8
Q
How many people were unemployed in Britain by 1932?
A
- 3 million people.
9
Q
What parts of England received growth and prosperity in the 1930s?
A
- South and South-East of Britain.
10
Q
Why did the South and South-East experience growth and prosperity in the 1930s?
A
- Workforce readily adapted to the new light industries (motor vehicles, chemical production, electrical engineering)
11
Q
How many cars did the motor industry produce in 1937?
A
- 511,000 as opposed to 33,000 in 1913.
12
Q
What was the ‘McKenna Duties’?
A
- Placed a 33.3% tariff on the importing of commercial vehicles.
13
Q
What was ‘The Safeguarding of Industries Act’?
A
- Put a 33.3% tariff on synthetic chemicals.
14
Q
To what extent did the Depression cause a ‘country of two nations’?
A
- 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.
15
Q
To what extent did other factors cause a ‘country of two nations’?
A
- 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).
16
Q
How many people were unemployed in Jarrow by 1936?
A
- 75% of people.
17
Q
What were the motives for the Jarrow March?
A
- Mass unemployment.
- Extreme poverty.
- Generate sympathy for the unemployed and the North in general.
18
Q
What triggered the Jarrow March?
A
- The closure of Palmers Shipbuilding Yard.
- Had been the main employer of labour Jarrow.
19
Q
How many people signed the Jarrow Marchers
petition?
A
- 11,000 people.
20
Q
What did the petition request of parliament?
A
- Requested the re-establishment of industry in Jarrow.
21
Q
What made the Jarrow March successful?
A
- 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.
22
Q
What made the Jarrow March unsuccessful?
A
- 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.
23
Q
What were the aims of the National Unemployed Workers Movement (NUWM)?
A
- Draw attention to the plight on the hungry.
- Destroy capitalism.
- Gain rights for the unemployed.
24
Q
What did the NUWM do in 1922-1923?
A
- NUWM organises first hunger march of unemployed workers from economically depressed areas in London.
25
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.
26
What did the NUWM do in 1930?
- NUWM organises second hunger march as unemployment rises following the 1929 Wall Street Crash.
27
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.
28
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.
29
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.)
30
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).
31
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.
32
When was the May Report produced?
- June 1941.
33
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.
34
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.
35
What benefit did Snowden reject protecting?
- The Unemployment benefit as there were cuts elsewhere.
36
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.
37
What impact did the May Report have on the reputation of the Labour Government?
- Government was left divided by the report.
38
When did Ramsay MacDonald resign his government?
- 23rd August 1931.
39
What was formed after the resignation of the Labour Government in 1931?
- A Coalition Government.
| - Became known as the National Government.
40
What Parties made up the Coalition Government?
- Conservative party.
- Liberal Party.
- Labour Party.
41
Who held the majority in the National Government?
- The Conservative Party.
42
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.
43
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.
44
What tariff did Neville Chamberlain introduce in 1931?
- Import Duties.
- A general tariff barrier of 10%.
- Was done in order to protect British Industry.
45
By what percent did productivity increase in agriculture during the years 1931-1937?
- Productivity was increased by 15%.
46
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.
47
What was Chamberlain able to do in 1935?
- Fully restored public salaries to their pre-1931 levels.
48
What was the 1934 Unemployment Act?
- Standardised Dole Payments.
