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The Inter War Years

The Inter War Years. World War 1. Further reforms were held up by the war Conscription during the war highlighted the need to improve fitness The government passed emergency laws to give them more power Dora Defence of the Realm Act 1914 Rationing was introduced 1918

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The Inter War Years

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  1. The Inter War Years

  2. World War 1 • Further reforms were held up by the war • Conscription during the war highlighted the need to improve fitness • The government passed emergency laws to give them more power • Dora Defence of the Realm Act 1914 • Rationing was introduced 1918 • By the end of the war the government had plans to introduce more welfare reforms

  3. “Land fit for heroes?” • Lloyd George’s plans did not happen • A coalition government meant Lloyd George was not free to do what he wanted. • The war had damaged the economy • There was high unemployment • There was depression, industries needed modernisation and were undermined by foreign competition • Government tried to cut spending • Five governments in ten years meant no time to put plans into practice.

  4. Heavy Industry • Coal Iron Steel and shipbuilding prevalent in Scotland. • Raw materials, cheap labour, educated workforce. • Decline due to foreign competition, lack of investment, slow to modernise, markets lost due to war and adaption to wartime production.

  5. The Wall Street Crash • The crash in the USA spread to Europe causing high unemployment. • The Labour government of Ramsay Macdonald decided to cut spending. • Many Labour MPs resigned • A new government was formed a “National Government” which cut benefits and introduced the means test.

  6. The means test • Unemployment benefits were cut by 10%. • After 26 weeks claimants had to undergo a means test • This was an investigation about the amount a family owned or earned. • Any income coming in was considered and the benefit cut • Some possessions had to be sold first. • Families split up so they could keep their money • People were humiliated by the means test.

  7. Hunger Marches • 25% of the workforce unemployed • Some workers wanted to do more than wait for the dole. • They joined the NUWM (the national unemployed workers’ movement.) • Some towns dependent on a single industry became unemployment black spots. • The NUWM organised protest marches “hunger marches” against the means test and to gain publicity for how bad things were. • People were very sympathetic towards the marchers.

  8. Response • In 1932 a royal commission was set up to investigate unemployment benefit. • It recommended a national system • The unemployment act 1934 set up a board to ensure those out of work were paid the same across the country, funded by the state. • Government training centres set up • Unemployment black spots were given special area status and government tried to encourage investment in those areas.

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