Economic issues: Britain's wartime economy; housing and austerity; trade unions; post-war industrial problems; the position of the staple industries and trade
The First World War left Britain with serious economic damage. Old industries like coal and textiles struggled, workers organised into powerful unions, and the government cut spending while millions needed homes.
Real World
After 1921, British coal exports collapsed as Germany paid war reparations in coal, directly undercutting British miners and triggering the wage cuts that set the stage for the 1926 General Strike.
Exam Focus
Distinguish short-term post-war dislocation from long-term structural decline; examiners reward this separation of causes.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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