Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Changing living standards: the impact of boom, crisis and recovery, and…
Full specification wording
The changing quality of life, 1918–79: Changing living standards: the impact of boom, crisis and recovery, and the significance of regional differences, 1918–39; the effects of ‘total war’ and austerity, 1939–51; the growth of a consumer society, 1951–79.
This topic explores how living standards changed.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This topic explores how living standards changed. In 1918–39, the boom of the 1920s gave way to the Great Depression, with recovery from 1933. Regional differences were stark: prosperous suburbs in the South East contrasted with depressed areas in South Wales, Scotland and Northern England. From 1939–51, total war brought full employment and rationing, followed by austerity. After 1951, rising real wages, hire purchase and new technology fuelled a consumer society, though affluence was uneven. Study economic phases, regional contrasts and the spread of consumer goods.
What earns the marks
- Explain the impact of boom, crisis and recovery on living standards, 1918–39, using examples such as the 1926 General Strike and the 1930s housing boom.
- Assess the significance of regional differences, contrasting prosperous areas like London and the South East with depressed areas such as South Wales and Clydeside.
- Analyse the effects of 'total war' and austerity, 1939–51, including rationing, full employment and the post-war Labour reforms.
- Evaluate the growth of a consumer society, 1951–79, through rising wages, hire purchase and ownership of cars and televisions.
- Discuss the extent to which affluence was shared, noting continuing poverty and regional disparities.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming all regions shared the same living standards.
Put it right: There were sharp regional contrasts, with some areas suffering long-term unemployment.
Claiming austerity ended immediately after the war.
Put it right: Rationing and controls continued into the 1950s, with some items rationed until 1954.
Equating consumer society with universal affluence.
Put it right: Many still faced poverty, and regional differences persisted.
Exam tips
- Use specific data and examples to illustrate economic phases and regional contrasts.
- Link changes in living standards to government policies and technological developments.
- Compare experiences across different regions and social groups to show nuance.
Try the lesson
The start of the The changing quality of life, 1918–79: Changing living standards: the impact of boom, crisis and recovery, and the significance of regional differences, 1918–39; the effects of ‘total war’ and austerity, 1939–51; the growth of a consumer society, 1951–79. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which region of Britain experienced particularly severe unemployment during the Depression of the 1930s?
Listen
This topic explores how living standards changed. In 1918–39, the boom of the 1920s gave way to the Great Depression, with recovery from 1933. Regional differences were stark: prosperous suburbs in the South East contrasted with depressed areas in South Wales, Scotland and Northern England. From 1939–51, total war brought full employment and rationing, followed by austerity. After 1951, rising real wages, hire purchase and new technology fuelled a consumer society, though affluence was uneven. Study economic phases, regional contrasts and the spread of consumer goods. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain the impact of boom, crisis and recovery on living standards, 1918–39, using examples such as the 1926 General Strike and the 1930s housing boom. Assess the significance of regional differences, contrasting prosperous areas like London and the South East with depressed areas such as South Wales and Clydeside. Analyse the effects of 'total war' and austerity, 1939–51, including rationing, full employment and the post-war Labour reforms. Evaluate the growth of a consumer society, 1951–79, through rising wages, hire purchase and ownership of cars and televisions. A common slip: assuming all regions shared the same living standards. Instead, there were sharp regional contrasts, with some areas suffering long-term unemployment. Exam tip: Use specific data and examples to illustrate economic phases and regional contrasts.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Some items remained rationed until this point
- 2. The General Strike took place
- 3. Growth of a consumer society began
- 4. Recovery from the Great Depression began
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Economic cycles and living standards
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Regional inequality
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
War and austerity
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Consumerism and affluence
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Economic cycles and living standards
- The boom of the 1920s gave way to the Great Depression, with recovery from 1933, and these phases changed how people lived.
- Regional inequality
- Prosperous suburbs in the South East contrasted with depressed areas in South Wales, Scotland and Northern England.
- War and austerity
- Total war brought full employment and rationing, followed by austerity, with rationing and controls continuing into the 1950s.
- Consumerism and affluence
- Rising real wages, hire purchase and new technology fuelled a consumer society, though affluence was uneven.
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