'Two Britains' - The Wealthy Britain

Question 1

The Light Industries:

Answer 1

• England in the 1930’s was a country of contrast-Wome areas still dependant on old industry - The North of England and South Wales - were suffering from the effects of the Depression as demand dropped
• However, during the depression a great deal of industrial expansion took place, and for some, the standard of living was rising
• Light industries of using on costumer goods such as cars and cookers thrived

Question 2

Growth of new industry:

Answer 2

• Goods were mass produced in modern factories equipped with the latest technology
• Advertising encouraged people to buy the new products such as cars, gadgets and household items on hire purchase. This system meant that ordinary consumers could still by expensive items

Question 3

The motor industry:

Answer 3

• Mass production techniques developed by Henry Ford were adopted by the UK
• Mass production methods meant the cost of the car came down significantly
• Cars sold in 1913 was 132,000
• By 1938, 2 million were sold

Question 4

Cheap electricity:

Answer 4

• The new technology of the light industries needed a new source of power, electricity.
• Electricity was clean and cheap and began to replace coal as the nations main fuel supply
• 1926: Central Electricity Board was set up, supplying electricity to industry and homes
• 1933: The National Grid had been set up, supplying electricity to all regions
• Between 1920 and 1938, electricity supplies increased from 730,000 to 9 million
• The poor could afford an electric light but the rich could afford new labour saving devices

Question 5

Special Areas Act:

Answer 5

• Government gave grants to firms that move to areas of low employment
• Tried to boost local economies and decrease unemployment
• Act failed as its investment was capped at £2 million
• Unemployment did decrease, but was due to migration

Question 6

Migration:

Answer 6

• Thousands of unemployed workers moved from Whales & the North of England to wealthier areas of Britain
• They were encouraged by the government
• Ministry of Labour helped people to leave Wales, move to places like London, Coventry and Oxford, where they were employed in car manufacturing
• Between 1921 and 1939, the population of Gateshed fell by 20%
• Estimated that 430,000 people left Wales all together - some to wealthier areas of England, others to the ‘land of opportunity’ which was America, New Zealand and Australia
• The Rhonda Valley population fell by 13% in the 1920s and 18% in the 1930s