Class Systems (T3)

Question 1

How did WW1 affect the upper class?

Answer 1

-It took a incredible toll on their numbers, 20.7% of all
those who went to Eton died.

• Cost of war lead to a great increase in taxes
• This put a lot of financial pressure on them
• 25% of all land in England was sold off between 1918 and 1920

Question 2

How did the rise of labour affect the upper class?

Answer 2

-Accelerated the decline of upper class people in the 
 commons
-Wealthy landowners made up around 40% of MP's 1910, around 5% in 1945

Question 3

How did changes in the house of lords affect the upper class?

Answer 3

• 1911 act meant that lords could only delay legislation –
  reduced their power
• 1910, 39 out of the 43 lords were aristocrats, by 1970, it was 14 out of 46

Question 4

How did the rise of satire affect the upper class?

Answer 4

It undermined deference to them, effectively reducing their power.

Question 5

How did the National trust affect the upper class?

Answer 5

Many country homes were donated to the NT or bought from the upper class.
Millions of Britons paid visits to these homes, preserving the upper class
The country home lifestyle was still he dream for rich Britons.

Question 6

How did WW1 affect the middle class?

Answer 6

• They feared the distinction between them and the working class was being eroded.
• Wartime inflation had harmed middle class savings and incomes – something with a value of £100 in 1914 would cost £276 in 1920.

Question 7

How did the rise of middle class jobs affect the middle class?

Answer 7

• There were more STEM jobs, helping the middle class to grow.
• Workers in such jobs saw themselves as progressive.
• The increased income may have helped home ownership rise from 29% to 50%

Question 8

What was a defining feature of middle class status?

Answer 8

Home ownership.

Question 9

How many of the middle class owned a home in 1939?

Answer 9

60%, compared to 20% of the working class.

Question 10

What was another thing that defined the middle class?

Answer 10

The suburban lifestyle and the separation of men from their workplaces.

Question 11

How many more clerking jobs were available for women?

Answer 11

1.2 Million more

Question 12

How did the boom in clerking jobs affect the middle class?

Answer 12

It increased expendable income for one family, so it meant that the middle class could afford larger homes.

Question 13

What are features of the working class?

Answer 13

• Manual jobs with irregular wages

- Comprised of skilled workers, unskilled labourer and criminals

Question 14

What happened to the working class during the war?

Answer 14

Small % fought - due to number of ‘reserved occupations’ which were essential to war effort

Question 15

What percentage of men were classed to sickly for war in 1918?

Answer 15

31.3%

Question 16

How much did life expectancy increase by between 1911 and 1921?

Answer 16

7 years

Question 17

What did DLG promise after WW1?

Answer 17

Home fit for heroes

Question 18

How much did trade union membership rise by during WW1?

Answer 18

Rose from 4.3 million to 8.3 million between 1915-1918

Question 19

What happened to trade unions during the interwar years

Answer 19

Suffered loss of membership but gained power after WW2

Question 20

What did trade unions do?

Answer 20

• Protected wages and rights of working class (had to have job)
• Aided rise of Labour party

Question 21

What effect did WW2 have on the people?

Answer 21

United Britain under total war - led to greater sense of unity and equality

Question 22

What effect did evacuation of poor, young city children have?

Answer 22

Greater sympathy for poverty endured by working class

Question 23

What happened to traditional industries after WW1?

Answer 23

• Restored to full employment

- Nationalisation under Attlee

Question 24

What did Attlee’s government do to Welfare state?

Answer 24

Introduced great number of reforms

Question 25

What was the 1946 Industrial Injuries act

Answer 25

Provided cover for people who were injured at work (greatly aided working class miners)

Question 26

What problems did the working class face after WW2?

Answer 26

Many families still lived in poor, slum conditions well into the 50s Those in new housing felt isolated

Question 27

Why was free universal healthcare in 1948 important?

Answer 27

Allowed British population comprehensive and effective and effective healthcare (now affordable)

Question 28

What did the working class enjoy during the 50s and 60s?

Answer 28

Leisure activities

Question 29

What happened to boundaries between middle and working class after WW2?

Answer 29

They started to dissolve