Inter-War Britain: Depression and Recovery 1918–1939

The inter-war period is often remembered through images of mass unemployment, hunger marches, and the Jarrow Crusade. While these images capture real suffering, the reality was more complex: inter-war Britain experienced both devastating regional depression and significant prosperity, both political crisis and institutional stability. This lesson examines the economic, social, and political dimensions of the inter-war years — analysing the historiographical debates about whether this was a period of decline or transformation.

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The Post-War Settlement (1918–1922)

The "Homes Fit for Heroes" Promise

Lloyd George's Coalition government promised sweeping reconstruction. The Addison Housing Act (1919) was the first significant government housing programme, providing subsidies for local authority housing construction. However, the Geddes Axe (1922) — severe spending cuts recommended by the Geddes Committee — slashed social expenditure, and the Coalition collapsed in October 1922 when Conservative MPs voted to withdraw at the Carlton Club meeting.

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The Rise of Labour

The First Labour Government (January–October 1924)

Ramsay MacDonald formed the first Labour government in January 1924, dependent on Liberal support. It lasted only ten months but was significant as a demonstration that Labour could govern responsibly.