The 1930's Depression
How was Jarrow affected?
Britain in the 1930s was suffering from the world-wide depression, and its areas of heavy industry, such as Jarrow were hit hardest.
Jarrow was suffering poverty, overcrowding within poor housing and one of the highest death rates in the United Kingdom.
In 1935, Palmers Shipyard closed and its closure brought the towns un-employment rate to 70% which meant 3 out of 4 men in Jarrow were out of work.
Jarrow was suffering poverty, overcrowding within poor housing and one of the highest death rates in the United Kingdom.
In 1935, Palmers Shipyard closed and its closure brought the towns un-employment rate to 70% which meant 3 out of 4 men in Jarrow were out of work.
What did the People of Jarrow do?
As the depression wore on, the town council and workers felt
something had to be done. In October 1936, a group 200 men from Jarrow marched 300 miles to London.
They were supported by people in the North East who had signed a petition addressed to Parliment.
The marchers were led by their local MP, Ellen Wilkinson who was with them as they marched to parliament.
something had to be done. In October 1936, a group 200 men from Jarrow marched 300 miles to London.
They were supported by people in the North East who had signed a petition addressed to Parliment.
The marchers were led by their local MP, Ellen Wilkinson who was with them as they marched to parliament.
Why did they march to Parliment?
They wanted Parliment and people from the south to understand they were responsible citizens but were living in a region where there were many difficulties.
The men were demanding that a steel works be built to bring back jobs to their town, as Palmer's shipyard had been closed down.
One of the marchers described his home town in those days as '...a filthy, dirty, falling down area.'
The men were demanding that a steel works be built to bring back jobs to their town, as Palmer's shipyard had been closed down.
One of the marchers described his home town in those days as '...a filthy, dirty, falling down area.'
What happened during the March?
Wearing blue and white banners the men marched for 25 days!
The men slept in different places from workhouses to more friendly lodgings.
There were many people who sympathised with the marchers and they got a friendly reception in many of the towns and villages they passed around the country.
Many people helped the Marchers by arranging feasts for them as they passed through their towns and villages.
One helper along the route described how, on one occasion, he saw a marcher take the ham from inside his sandwich, and place it in an envelope. When asked what he was doing he replied, 'I'm sending it home ...my family haven't had meat in the house for six weeks.'
The men slept in different places from workhouses to more friendly lodgings.
There were many people who sympathised with the marchers and they got a friendly reception in many of the towns and villages they passed around the country.
Many people helped the Marchers by arranging feasts for them as they passed through their towns and villages.
One helper along the route described how, on one occasion, he saw a marcher take the ham from inside his sandwich, and place it in an envelope. When asked what he was doing he replied, 'I'm sending it home ...my family haven't had meat in the house for six weeks.'
What happened when the marchers reached London?
The marchers arrived in London on 31 October almost a month after leaving. The total number of signatures on the petition was 12,000 and was handed into Parliment by Ellen Wilkinson. However, the Prime Minister at the time, Stanley Baldwin, refused to see any of the marchers and nothing was done to help Jarrow at that time.
Who was Ellen?
Ellen was one of four women MPs in the Labour government at the time of the Jarrow crusade.
She wanted to draw the plight of Jarrow to the attention of party leaders.
She wanted to draw the plight of Jarrow to the attention of party leaders.