Impact of war Industrial

Industrial Disputes Many disputes in Scotland between workers and the management Also disputes between workers and the government Many skilled workers and engineers worried about pay and conditions and fought for better conditions

Strikes Friday 31 st Jan ‘Bloody Friday’ 100,000 demonstrations in George Square (refer to Red Clydeside for more details)

Expectations Expectations of returning soldiers and those who had worked hard on the home front were high Expected a high standard of living for their sacrifices Expectations were increased by David Lloyd George promise of ‘homes fit for heroes’ Did not materialise!

Reality Quick post-war economic boom soon replaced by reality in the 1920s –Unemployment –World Slump –Economic depression

Shipbuilding Went into decline –Tonnage built on the Clyde went down from 510,000 to 170,000 –Fewer Naval orders –Lost markets to USA, Japan By 1930 yards in Scotland began to close as orders dried up Unemployment rose as a consequence

Locomotive production Decline in locomotive production by two- thirds at the North British Locomotive company Engineering work went into decline as a result Coal production went into decline as a result of falling orders in shipbuilding and engineering.

Agricultural Decline in those working on the land Decline in the Highland population –341,535 in 1911 –325,853 in 1921 Emigration Loss of life during WW1 Decline in agriculture Shortage of land in the highlands and islands for crofting

Overall Post-war Scotland suffered badly from the slump in the world economy. Industries like shipbuilding, mining and engineering were especially badly hit. Because these were the main industries in Scotland, the economy suffered possibly more than in the rest of the United Kingdom The 1920s also saw significant emigration from Scotland with people seeking a better life elsewhere