THEME 4 - changing quality of life 1918-79 Flashcards
The effects of ‘total war’ and austerity 1939-51
rationing
1. describe the point system for rations
2. was there public info on how to make most of rationing ?
3. many britons felt standards of living decline but what contrasted this ?
4. what happened to the rate of infant mortality during rartioning ?
- yes - gov public info
- health actually improved due to proper minerals + vitamins being provided by ministry of food
- level of infant mortality fell
The effects of ‘total war’ and austerity 1939-51
working conditions
what happened to the average worker wage and why wasnt this a huge impact?
wages incresed BUT could only buy what rations allowed
The effects of ‘total war’ and austerity 1939-51
housing
what happened to housing as a result of ‘total war’ and austeity ?
became more modern + had gardenrs to encourage cultivation as well as NEW HOUSES BUILT WITH at least minimum room space
Austerity 1945 - 51
1.why did rationing continue after the war ?
2. why was a raise in living standards slow
- britain was bankrupt
- foregin spending continrued e.g established in malaysia (british colony added)
Austerity 1945 - 51
why was a Planned economy introduced
labour gov belived in - in hope of eventual rise of living standards
Austerity 1945 - 51
Housing
1. what houses were introduced to combat homelessness
2. describe thexe houses
- pre fabricated homes
- wooden - satifactory - only meant to last 10 years but lasted longer
Austerity 1945 - 51
Blocks of flats
1.what was gov opinion
2.what did gov hope as a result of blocks of flats
1.seen as attractive + suitable for britain housing needs
2. communities hpped to be created by estates with neighbourhoods, schools, shops around
The growth of a consumer society 1951 -79
some points to remember
- about household items
- about cars + households
household items spent on 115% more over 1950’s
1960 28% household had cars VS 45% in 1969
The growth of a consumer society 1951 -79
why was there a rapid growth in living standards ?
- global economic boom
- wellfare state introduction
- low energy prices
- comittment to full employment by labour, conservatives + trade unions
- STRONG TRADE UNIONS - able to negotiate high wages
- hire purchase made available
The growth of a consumer society 1951 -79
what was the impact of consumer spending
- more spending power
- money spent on labour saving devices -> took drudgery out of the womens household chores + helped changed the role of women
- advertiserss began to TARGET women (house wives) as they were in charge of the kitchen
- consumer credit rules relaxed - allowed for working class families standards of livign to improve - morally acceptable in the 1950’s
- 1970’s consumer choice increase - result of cheaper travel
The growth of a consumer society 1951 -79
what was the impact of new towns?
what % did wages increase by 1955-69
Allowed for innercity families to USE increase in affluence - prices remained stable and wages rose by 130% between 1955-69
increase in standards of living - central heating, green space (attractive)
The growth of a consumer society 1951 -79
1. what is admas
2.what was the impact of ‘admas’
- fear
3. what did a 1953 study find about american culture + young girls
- new society full of consumerism + advertisement - encouraged superficiality (according to JB preistly)
- Fears of ‘AMERICANILISATION’ of british culture e.g FORD + HEINZ domination
- american actresses style had profound impact on young girls in small mining villages
The growth of a consumer society 1951 -79
how widespread was affluence ?
1.what was the impact of charities
2. how many people living below poverty line in 1967
3. what were the living conditions of the elderly - how many living alone ?
4. how were flats doing
- charities founded to aid tens of thousands in temporarty housing ( this is evidence for deep poverty pockets)
- 7.5 million
- 1.5 million
- FAILURE - high crime + poor levels of build quality
The impact of Popular culture 1918-79 - CINEMA
give an overview
Post ww1 - advance of american ovies, escapism + glamour
Interwar years - cheap distractions from the misery of depression - ticket sales rise massively
ww2 - Moral boosting propoganda
Post war years - comdey to cheer up the population during austerity, war films to remember the truimph of britain during the end of empire
War films 1950’s - sense of Britishness
Social realism + James bond 1960’s - improving living standards + working class expereinces
Darker Visions - 1970’s - Britain economic problems grew, relaxation in film censorship
Cinema decline - 1970’s - loss of funding, industry’s talented british persona; attracted to Hollywood
The impact of Popular culture 1918-79 - CINEMA
Post WW1 here come the americans
1. describe cinematograph films act 1927
2. when were talkie movies introduced
- 20% of all films shown must be british
- 1935
