Question 5
“Jarrow’s problems were caused by the policies of the National Government”
The problems the question is referring to include a catastrophic lack of jobs. This was caused by the decline of heavy industry, owing to general economic decline in post war Europe and the fact that particularly after 1925 British exports were extremely expensive. The people made unemployed were forced to go on the doll, which then consequently ruined there chances of finding another job. This meant that contracts for ships etc. went to foreign competitors, and in towns like Jarrow work ran out as contracts became fewer and further between. No-one invested in trying to start up new companies to replace small but important companies such as Palmers Yard which was closed by rationalisation.
The decline of old industries and unemployment started just after the war and this is backed up by the evidence in source A when it claims that “there was no prospect of a job” concerning the period of time from 1922 onwards. This was because after the war it was easier to import cheaper goods from overseas without fear of attack. Since it was cheaper to do this, many companies chose to. This made the situation worse and started a vicious cycle. The previously mentioned problems were not the fault of the National Government because it was set up in 1931, and these are long term issues resulting from mistakes made way before that time.