Unit 3.7 Depression and the Dole (1920-1939) Flashcards
What was the Depression?
Economic crisis and a period of low business activity in the US and many other countries as a result of the Wall Street Crash in October of 1929
Why was the UK affected by the Great Depression?
The USA demanded their loans be paid back in full immediately
The USA had been the UKs biggest trading partner which stopped immediately
Areas worst affected by the Depression
South Wales, Clydeside, North West, North East and Northern Ireland
Why these areas = worst affected
These areas were where old industries like: mining, textiles, shipbuilding, iron and steel were based. These had been the reason for Britains successes overall
- However even before the depression = already in decline due to big competition from Japan and USA for thr cost of their goods
Why = decline in shipbuilding form 1930-33
This was due to disarmament post WW1resulting in the Navy’s size being reduced and initiating massive unemployment rates
Number of people unemployed by 1932
3 million
How did the UKs trade policy further disadvantage those already in poverty?
Free trade = competition = other countries put tariffs on goods from the UK due to their high price than their much more affordable competitors
Industries that prospered during the 1930s in Britain
Motor
Transport
DEPRESSION caused a country of 2 nations
America increased tariffs on British goods which meant Britain = very limited market
USA demanded their loans back
OTHER FACTORS = country of 2 nations
More job sectors in the south
End of the war
Competition from Japan and the USA
National disarmament
Tariffs to support newer industries
What caused the Jarrow crusade?
Due to the closure of the shipyard ‘Palmers’ in 1934, 75% of the working men in Jarrow found themselves unemployed. They closed the shipyard due to them not making enough money.
Local MP Ellen Wilkinson described it as: The Town that was murderedn
Events of the Jarrow Crusade
- 200 working men led by Councillor David Riley marched to London on what they called a ‘crusade’
- They took nearly 3 months to arrive, marching 10-20 miles a day. The march received support from miners, the police, capitalists as well as members of both the Labour and conservative party.
- The men slept in workhouses and churches on the way south and were joined by 7-8 journalists from the Daily Herald.
- At each town they visited the Jarrow marchers collected information about the numbers of unemployed, mortality rates, TB rates.
- Along the way they were aided by Co-operatives and Trade Unions. E.g. reparing their boots
What happened when the Crusaders arrived in London?
They had collected a portion containing 11,000 signatures and were hoping
1. To provide work for the town by re-establishing the industry back in town
2, Generate sympathy for the unemployed
HOWEVER
Due to the abdication crisis it was a bad time to ask the government for help and the petition was never seen again after being handed in. They gave the workers train tickets to get home and from there conditions worsened (benefits got cut)
Jarrow Crusade = EFFECTIVE
- untied workers towards a common cause
- Awareness through cinema, newspapers and petition
- Changed attitudes: one of the reasons why Labour won the referendum
- Other towns = aware and supportive = generated sympathy
Jarrow Crusade = NOT EFFECTIVE
- Petition = never seen again
- Nothing was done immediately only improved conditions during and after WW2
- Parliament didn’t give an f
NUWM
National Unemployed Workers Movement
Aims and concerns of the NUWM
Aim: DESTROY CAPITALISM
Immediate concerns: in 1920s and 30s = rights of unemployed to jobs and reasonable subsistence allowance
1927 Hunger March: aims, support expected and received
- 1st Welsh hunger march with the AIM to protest against limitations of unemployment relief
- Had the initial support of the South Wales Miners’ Federation but changed their minds due to opposition from the Trade Union Congress
- Despite this 270 miners still marched to London supported by local trade councils
HOWEVER:
The press, TUC and the government remained hostile
1932 Hunger March: aims, successes and failures
Aim: to force the government through strength of numbers to reconsider the implementation of the means test
- Coordinated about 3000 men marching to Hyde Park in London mainly from the most depressed areas of England
SUCCESSES
- hit the National press and generated questions in parliament
FAILURES
- police confiscated the petition with a million signatures on it
- 2000 police drafted to stop the marchers
- Hannington = arrested
Spies used to spy on Hunger Marchers
They infiltrated the NUWM and regularly reported back
1934: Incitement to Disaffection Act made it a criminal offence to seduce any member of His Majesty’s forces (inc. police) away from his duty and allegiance and increased the police’s power of search
1936 Hunger March
Much larger with ten contingents of marchers converged on Hyde Park = supported by Labour Party and Clement Atlee (leader of Labour) addressed the crowd of 12,000 and was joined by Jarrow Marchers too
+ves : increased focus on helping thousands of families to navigate benefit regulations
Overall SUCCESSES of Hunger Marches
- Govt. = threatened (2000 police and the Incitement Act)
- Media attention both positive and negative esp, after 1932 March
- Support of Labour govt, and Clement Atlee in 1936 March
- Crowd/ support increased with each march from all over the country and in different industries
Overall FAILURES of Hunger Marches
- Associated with communism as one of their aims was to get rid of capitalism
- Opposition from TUC
- Had virtually no affect on govt, policy
What was the National Government?
- A coalition government - Labour, Conservative and liberal party members
- Set up in 1931 after the PM Ramsay MacDonald had resigned his Labour government
