Disappointment and Depression

Disappointment and Depression

1.What areas of Britain were most affected by the Depression? Why was there little hope for improving the conditions of life in these areas?

2.When did the British economy begin gradually recovering? In what parts of the country was the recovering process especially noticeable?

3.What industries played a great role in the recovering of economy?

The areas most affected by the Depression were Clydeside, Belfast, the industrial north of England and south-east Wales. The working class in these areas still lived in poor conditions. Men and women in working families did not live as long as people in richer areas, and more babies died in the first year of life. There was little hope for improving the conditions of life because nobody wanted to invest large amounts of money into industry in the period of economic crisis.

In the middle of the 1930s the British economy began gradually recovering. The process of economic recovery was especially noticeable in the Midlands and the south, where a great number of small houses were being built a long the main roads leading from big cities into the countryside. A great role in the recovery of economy was played by Britain's growing motor industry , which was based in the Midlands.

With the appearance of a great number of privately owned cars, the country around the towns changed : many new houses were built along the roads which were suitable for motoring.

Another reason of economic recovery was the danger of a new war. By 1935 it was clear that Germany , under its new leader Adolf Hitler was preparing to strengthen its position in Europe, if necessary by force. Seeing this, the British government began rebuilding its armed forces. It invested a large amount of money in heavy industry, which gave jobs to many people. By 1937 British industry was producing weapons , aircraft and equipment for war.