The 1920's

The 1920's

1. Expansion of the UK's welfare state

   • The Means Test ("The Dole")
     • It was humiliating and often degrading
     • It was largely inneffective
     • Could only be given for 15 weeks
       • Afterwards, people had to rely on poor law relief

2. The General Strike

   • Certain Industries struggled to recover after WW1
     • Textiles, Coal, and Shipbuilting were all being outperformed by other countries
     • Miners were unhappy with their wages after they had been cut due to the drop of prices in coal

3. Post War Adjustments in Government

   • After WW1, Pressure from the war made political parties work together
     • A coalition government was formed in 1916.
   • David Lloyd George was Prime Minister
     • A Liberal PM, from 1916-1922

4. Post War Economy

   • The UK was struggling with unemployment in staple industries
     • Especially Heavy Industry and Coal was hit in Scotland and South Wales
       • The Gold standard was re-introduced in 1925
         • Higher Interest Rates
   • World Trade took a sharp decline in 1919

5. Growing Problems in Ireland