(Changing Living Standards) The growth of a Consumer Society, 1951-1979

Question 1

What are the 6 general causes of the growth of the consumer society?

Answer 1

Global economic boom.
Changes in travel and leisure.
Britain’s welfare state.
Commitment to full employment (‘mixed economy’).
Rise in wages (strong Trade Unions).
Consumer credit.

Question 2

Consumer goods - what two foods had become increasingly popular?

Answer 2

Coffee & pizza

Question 3

Consumer goods - there was an ‘___________’ of culture, particularly notable in new types of ___________.

Answer 3

a) ‘Americanisation’

b) restaurants

Question 4

Housing & home ownership - how did home ownership change?

Answer 4

Increased from 32% in 1953 to 42% in 1961.

Question 5

Relaxation of consumer credit - in 19__, Britain spends over £________, rising to £_________ in 19__, a key factor being the __________ of consumer credit _____.

Answer 5

a) 1951
b) £1 billion
c) £1.5 billion
d) 1960
e) relaxation
f) rules

Question 6

The return of prosperity - what had grown?

What was this often fuelled by?

Answer 6

Consumer spending

Credit

Question 7

The return of prosperity - there was still _______ of _________ where people didn’t have ______ to __________.

Answer 7

a) pockets
b) deprivation
c) access
d) consumerism

Question 8

The return of prosperity - give evidence as to how the return of prosperity didn’t affect everybody?

(2)

Answer 8

Elderly people were very vulnerable and faced poor living standards, surviving off of pensions.

In 1963, Manchester had 80,000 slum houses.