1931 National Government

• The national government is dominated by conservatives and American Banks trust in this more so they loan Britain £80 million as long as the government makes the cuts suggested by the May Committee. They make £70 million in cuts, raise income tax, cut public sector wages 5-10% and cut unemployment 10%.
• The Invergordon Mutiny: The military are displeased with these cuts and the Navy stage a mutiny in Invergordon. The result is the cuts are halved and it looks like they have lots of control so people sell their pounds and the value declines further.
• On the 19th of September 1931, the government abandoned the Gold Standard and the value of the pound changed from $4.86 to $3.40 making exports cheaper and more competitive.
• Social Class


  The upper class is composed of aristocracy, gentry and business owners. This category makes money through land ownership however the increased importation of food (60%) and the increased tax (Inheritance and Estate Duty) meant that this class struggled in the 20s and many country homes were sold. The main differences between the middle and working classes are property ownership and the types of jobs. As technology advances, there is less demand for unskilled workers which has an impact on the working class and the increased income tax has an impact on the middle class.
• Women


  During this period, women gained the right to vote however women still weren't prominent in politics due to traditional gender roles and the family. Nancy Astor (first female MP), Edith Summerskill (promoted women's issues) and Margaret Bondfield was the first female in cabinet (McDonald).
• Crime fiction


  Was incredibly popular in this period especially Agatha Christie as they were accessible to the working and middle class. They were cheaply produced (as the first paperbacks) and sold at train stations. At this time death is relatable and less of a taboo topic allowing the genre to flourish.
• Radio


  The BBC's monopoly over broadcasting. The aim was to inform, educate and entertain and this was John Reith's responsibility so initially he aimed to promote highbrow culture. Broadcasting was strict and regulated, broadcasters spoke the King's English and dressed very smartly. This began to be relaxed in the 30s and in 1933 Radio Luxembourg began to broadcast and gain popularity.
• Cinema


  Was also incredibly popular but was seen as a 'flea pit' due to the unsafe conditions caused by flammable nitrate. WW1 changed these perceptions and allowed cinema to flourish. The films were mainly produced in Hollywood due to the sunny setting needed to combat the lack of internal lighting. The 1913 British Board of Censors established a voluntary code and the 1927 Cinematograph Films Act (Quota Act) ensured British films were made however these were typically B films = Quota Quickies.
• The National Government was not expected to last long; it would either fail and fall or succeed and become redundant. However, the impending t