WWI & Male Politics

1. WWI & Male Politics Lesson starter; In what ways might WWI change the way ordinary men were viewed by the British government?

2. Today we will… • Recognise the way men were rewarded for their war efforts • Examine the ways the government ‘rewarded’ wartime heroes

3. I can… • Explain the changes to male suffrage in 1918 • Summarise the stories of two men who lived during the ‘Hungry 1920s’

4. After the efforts of men from all backgrounds across Britain, the government realised they relied on ordinary working class men • Working class men would have to be rewarded for the huge part they had played in winning the war

5. WWI: Timeline of Male Suffrage Britain goes to war with Germany & her allies WWI ends 1918 Representation of the People Act Property Qualifications ended – all men over 21 now have the vote 1914 1918 1928

6. Extension of the Male Franchise Before the war nearly 1/3rd of men were not allowed to vote. The extension of the franchise to almost all men in 1918 was a ‘reward’ for the sacrifices which had been made by British men during WWI. All men over 21 were given the vote in 1918. Millions of men had been killed or wounded, the government were unable to deny those men basic rights such as voting.

7. Brainstorming Task With a partner, think of all the other ways that the government could reward the World War One Heroes. Make a list of your ideas.

8. Prime Minister-David Lloyd George in 1918… Our boys have fought hard and done us proud! We will all be eternally thankful! We know poor housing is a huge problem in our country…I promise every man returning from war a new Home fit for a hero!

9. Homes Fit for Heroes – The Promises • A new law, The Addison Act of 1919 promised to build ½ a million new council homes across Britain • Mainly 3 bedroom family homes • The homes would be finished in three years • Housing committees were set up • New ‘garden estates’ would be built on the outskirts of cities, like Mosspark in the south side of Glasgow • There would be facilities like shops, schools and churches

10. Mosspark was a model council estate when it was built in the 1920s. It provided low rent housing for people who were moved out of slums in Glasgow.

11. Mosspark • Typical ‘4 in a block’ housing Mosspark Cinema, built 1938

12. Homes Fit for Heroes – The Reality! • The weak economy during the 1920s caused by the decline of heavy industry led to high unemployment, which meant less people paying taxes, so less money for the government to spend. • The ‘Homes fit for Heroes’ budget was made smaller and smaller • Only 200,000 homes were actually built(less than half of those promised) • The Addison Act only made very slight improvements to housing

13. Primary source Task: The Hungry 20s • Read the testimonies from two men who returned from the war and found the 1920s a difficult time • Take notes in your jotter • Discuss the main points of each with your partner • You need to be able to summarise each story verbally if asked!

14. . James McAteer Philip McCluskey

15. Today we will… • Recognise the way men were rewarded for their war efforts • Examine the ways the government ‘rewarded’ wartime heroes

16. I can… • Explain the changes to male suffrage in 1918 • Summarise the stories of two men who lived during the ‘Hungry 1920s’