The Jarrow March Essay Structure

Introduction and General Thesis

Introduce the Jarrow March, also known as the Jarrow Crusade, a protest march in 1936 by 200 unemployed men from the town of Jarrow in northeast England to London.

• Context: During the Great Depression, Jarrow's heavy reliance on shipbuilding, especially Palmers Shipyard, led to devastating economic consequences when the shipyard closed in 1934.
• State that this essay will analyse the main aims of the Jarrow March and evaluate to what extent these goals were achieved.

Jarrow's Economic Hardship

Detail the severe economic hardship in Jarrow, with an unemployment rate of over 70% after the closure of Palmers Shipyard, which had been the town's main employer.

• Many families faced extreme poverty, hunger, and poor living conditions, with few job opportunities locally due to Jarrow's industrial decline.
• The marchers' primary aim was to secure government support to bring new industry and jobs to Jarrow, as the town's economy could not recover independently.

Disillusionment with the Government

Explain the broader political context: the British government's laissez-faire economic approach and belief in self-help limited intervention in struggling areas.

• Jarrow marchers hoped to bring attention to their plight and persuade the government to reconsider its policies of limited support for distressed areas.
• Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin's government was hesitant to intervene directly in economic issues, particularly in the depressed areas of northern England.

Aims of the March

Outline the primary aim of the Jarrow March: to petition the government to support the establishment of new industries in Jarrow and provide sustainable employment opportunities.

• The marchers hoped to gain direct government assistance or incentives for companies to invest in Jarrow, helping to replace the shipyard jobs that had been lost.
• This was seen as the only way to restore Jarrow's economic stability and provide a future for its residents.

National Attention and Sympathy

Assess how the march succeeded in drawing national attention to Jarrow's plight, despite limited media coverage due to restrictions imposed by newspapers that were politically aligned with the government.

• The march received public sympathy and support along the route, with churches, charities, and trade unions providing food and shelter.
• This popular sympathy, while meaningful, did not translate into significant political action in support of Jarrow's objectives.

Government Response to the March

Examine the government's initial reaction to the march: Stanley Baldwin did not meet with the marchers, reflecting a lack of direct governmental support for their cause.

• Although the Jarrow Petition was presented to Parliament, it was largely ignored, and no immediate action was taken to create jobs or support industry in Jarrow.
• The government's response was characterised by indifference, with Baldwin stating that marches could not solve economic problems.

Impacts of the March on Jarrow

In the short term, Jarrow saw little direct benefit from the march, as unemployment and economic hardship continued.

• However, the march highlighted the need for government intervention in economically distressed areas, contributing to later discussions around regional economic planning and Keynesian economic policies.
• Some historians argue that the Jarrow March helped pave the way for post-war welfare policies and government initiatives to address regional economic inequality.

Social Impacts

Reflect on the symbolic significance of the Jarrow March: it demonstrated the desperation and determination of Britain's unemployed and impoverished communities.

• The march became an emblem of social justice and workers' rights, celebrated as a peaceful yet powerful demonstration for employment and dignity.
• Despite limited immediate results, the Jarrow March is remembered as a key moment in Britain's labour history, influencing later social reforms.

Conclusion

Summarise the main aims of the Jarrow March: securing new industry and jobs, gaining government support, and raising awareness of the economic crisis in Jarrow.

• Conclude that while the march succeeded in generating public sympathy and awareness, it fell short of achieving its primary goal of government action to revive Jarrow's economy.
• Tie in your thesis into the final few lines, ensuring that the examiner gets a full understanding of your viewpoint and that you have answered the question completely.