How accurate is it to say that the
National Government successfully
steered the British economy
through the problems created by
the Depression?
Tags
The Great Depression of the 1930s had a devastating effect on the global economy, and the
United Kingdom was no exception. While it is accurate to say that policies such as the
abandonment of the Gold Standard and cuts in Government spending contributed to British
economic recovery, it is essential to recognize that the success of such policies was not
absolute and factors exogenous to the National Government such as the Second World War
and Industrial growth can be attributed greatly to economic recovery in Britain. As such, it is
only accurate to a minor extent to say that the National Government successfully steered the
British economy through the problems created by the Depression.
para 1 → The abandonment of the Gold Standard (1931) can be seen as a policy
implemented by the National Government that aided the British economy.
The decision allowed the government to devalue the pound, which made British exports
more affordable and competitive on the international market.
As a result, exports increased, and the economy began to recover
HOWEVER
It also made British exports expensive, depressing staple industries further. Removing the
gold standard helped, but the millions of unemployed in the traditional industries noticed
little improvement in their lives.
While there was a fall in the unemployment rate from 15% in 1932 to 8% in 1936, regions'
unemployment rates were cripplingly high with few employment prospects.
JUDGMENT: while it alleviated some of the burdens of the Great Depression, it was not wholly
successful.
para 2 → Government cuts could also have been attributed to economic growth due to
the increased availability of funds for benefits and innovation.
How accurate is it to say that the National Government successfully steered the British economy through the
1
problems created by the Depression?
National Government successfully
steered the British economy
through the problems created by
the Depression?
Tags
The Great Depression of the 1930s had a devastating effect on the global economy, and the
United Kingdom was no exception. While it is accurate to say that policies such as the
abandonment of the Gold Standard and cuts in Government spending contributed to British
economic recovery, it is essential to recognize that the success of such policies was not
absolute and factors exogenous to the National Government such as the Second World War
and Industrial growth can be attributed greatly to economic recovery in Britain. As such, it is
only accurate to a minor extent to say that the National Government successfully steered the
British economy through the problems created by the Depression.
para 1 → The abandonment of the Gold Standard (1931) can be seen as a policy
implemented by the National Government that aided the British economy.
The decision allowed the government to devalue the pound, which made British exports
more affordable and competitive on the international market.
As a result, exports increased, and the economy began to recover
HOWEVER
It also made British exports expensive, depressing staple industries further. Removing the
gold standard helped, but the millions of unemployed in the traditional industries noticed
little improvement in their lives.
While there was a fall in the unemployment rate from 15% in 1932 to 8% in 1936, regions'
unemployment rates were cripplingly high with few employment prospects.
JUDGMENT: while it alleviated some of the burdens of the Great Depression, it was not wholly
successful.
para 2 → Government cuts could also have been attributed to economic growth due to
the increased availability of funds for benefits and innovation.
How accurate is it to say that the National Government successfully steered the British economy through the
1
problems created by the Depression?
