{"id":1730,"date":"2026-01-12T04:39:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T04:39:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/ib8g23\/?p=1730"},"modified":"2026-01-12T04:39:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T04:39:09","slug":"research-topic-1930s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.wsagames.com\/ib8g23\/2026\/01\/12\/research-topic-1930s\/","title":{"rendered":"Research Topic: 1930’s"},"content":{"rendered":"\n


Overshadowed by the “Roaring” 20’s and the Second World War, the 1930’s often gets overlooked. Known most prominently for the Great Depression and descent of the world into fascism, it’s no wonder it’s not popular. But I find the era fascinating as a turning point in history, and how much you can see later events are shaped from it – much of today’s history parallels the 30’s, as we’re also living through a time of global recession and rising conservatism.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Two Britains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The impact of the Great Depression in Britain was significantly harsher in some regions more than others. Towns and cities with industries that relied on cotton, coal, steel, and shipbuilding were impacted the worst – industries that were already struggling because they hadn’t modernised after the war, and were now in competition with other countries’ imports.

By 1933, 2.5 million were unemployed – 25% of the workforce. This kickstarted a vicious cycle where businesses went backrupt because people had no money to spend, in turn creating more poverty, in turn less spending power and more businesses had to close. People who lost their jobs could only collect unemployment benefit (known as “the dole) for the first six months, however to cut costs, the government also required they pass a “Means Test”, where officials would assess whether they were really entitled help by investigating how much a family earned or possessed. The Means Test meant dole could be refused if a family had a working mother, older child, or grandparent, and heirlooms had to be sold.

However, newer industries, mostly concentrated in the Midlands and South-East England, were significantly less impacted, as their economies were held up by the benefit of motor vehciles and electrical goods production. These areas are still quite wealthy today due to this. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n


BBC Bitesize (2017). \u2018Two Britains\u2019 – Life during the Depression – WJEC – GCSE History Revision – WJEC – BBC Bitesize<\/em>. [online] BBC Bitesize. Available at: https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/bitesize\/guides\/z86vxfr\/revision\/8.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

HOLLYWOOD GLAM<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

The Golden Age of Film<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 1930’s was the<\/em> decade of Hollywood, where USA Hollywood films rose to cultural dominance. It had enormous influence over popular culture, impacting clothes fashion, hair, interior design, manners, and language idioms; it offered an avenue of escape from troubles that the Great Depression caused. It cost just cents to go see a film – far cheaper than plays and theatre. And perhaps knowing how much of an effect film had on the public, themes and topics of optimism, resilience, and courage that reinforced the idea of the American Dream were found laced through plotlines.

But the main draw of movies were the stars of the screen. Film advertisements focused less on plot and more on the cast; having a list of A-list actors were certain to bring crowds. Favourite actors during this time were Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, and Lionel Barrymore.

Five studios had a monopoly on films at the time: <\/p>\n\n\n\n