LC History: DBQ The Jarrow March

Jarrow

a small town near Newcastle

What 1934 event damaged Jarrow's economy

Closing of Palmer's Shipyard

'Jarrow is like a man who has lost both his arms. First we lost the Steelworks and 3,000 men lost their jobs.

Then we lost our Shipyard and another 5,000 were out of work. No town can stand such crippling blows' - Quote from the Mayor of Jarrow

Of the 8,000 skilled workers

only 100 were employed

Jarrow tried to build a new steelworks using modern cost-effective techniques, but this plan was blocked by

the British Iron and Steel Federation who held a monopoly over the steel industry.

'Jarrow must work out

its own salvation' - Walter Runciman, President of the Board of Trade

Who decided to petition the government over the situation in Jarrow?

Jarrow Borough Council

Who usually organised 'hunger marches'?

National Unemployment Workers' Movement

How many people took part in the 1932 NUWM hunger march?

2,000

Who organised the Jarrow March?

Jarrow Borough Council and Ellen Wilkinson

Who was Ellen Wilkinson?

Labour MP of Jarrow

How long was the Jarrow March?

300 miles

How many took part in the march?

200

How many days did the march take?

25

How much was raised for the march?

£1500

When did the march begin?

5 Oct 1936

What did marchers carry with them?

A petition signed by 11,000. Got another 90,000 signatories on the way

Who accompanied the marchers?

'Red Ellen' and Paddy the dog

How did the British Cabinet describe such marches?

'altogether undesirable'

When did the marchers reach London?

31 Oct. 1936

Who presented the petition to Westminster?

Ellen Wilkinson

What did the marchers do when they reached London?

Held demonstration at Hyde Park Corner but it was not well attended

How were the marchers welcomed home?

'Never before in the history of the town has there been such an exhibition of mass enthusiasm' - North Mail.

What happened the day after the marchers arrived home?

The Unemployment Assistance Board reduced their unemployment benefit as they had not been available for work

What impact did the march have?

1.Delivered petition

2.Well organised and orderly

3.Little real impact for unemployed

4.New industry was set up (tube factory that made casings for bullets) - WW2 not march

5.Symbolism of despair of unemployed men -> awoke conscience of middle class

6.Mass unemployment of 20s and 30s contributed to the development of the Welfare State