• The Scottish economy did well out the war, but it didn’t do well out of the peace that followed

• Scotland had a brief boom after the war then started a period of economic decline.

• The trouble was that the heavy industry which Scotland was good at was no longer in demand; the new light manufacturing industries such as cars and electricals were being made elsewhere.

The following slides summarise the impactThe following slides summarise the impact

of the Great War on Scottish:of the Great War on Scottish:

ShipbuildingShipbuilding

Fishing Fishing

AgricultureAgriculture

Shipbuilding before the Great Shipbuilding before the Great WarWar

By 1913 shipbuilding on the Clyde produced By 1913 shipbuilding on the Clyde produced 757,000 tons and the total number of 757,000 tons and the total number of workers dependent on the industry was workers dependent on the industry was estimated at 100,000 or 14% of the working estimated at 100,000 or 14% of the working population.population.

Clyde yards were innovatory and bred a Clyde yards were innovatory and bred a skilled workforce that was reasonably well skilled workforce that was reasonably well paid and led to job security. Men were paid and led to job security. Men were proud to work in the shipyards.proud to work in the shipyards.

HMS Ajax under construction, Greenock 1913

Shipbuilding during the Great Shipbuilding during the Great WarWar The war had an immediate impact on Clydeside shipyards, The war had an immediate impact on Clydeside shipyards,

where most of Britain’s ships were built.where most of Britain’s ships were built. Beardmore’s at Dalmuir, Browns of Clydebank and Fairfields at Beardmore’s at Dalmuir, Browns of Clydebank and Fairfields at

Govan were placed under Admiralty control. Others followed Govan were placed under Admiralty control. Others followed suit after passing of Munitions of War Act in 1915. Many of the suit after passing of Munitions of War Act in 1915. Many of the battleships produced for the British navy were produced on the battleships produced for the British navy were produced on the Clyde.Clyde.

As a result of the wartime boom, Clydeside experienced a As a result of the wartime boom, Clydeside experienced a bonanza, with the three leading yards winning orders worth bonanza, with the three leading yards winning orders worth over £16 million.over £16 million.

Skilled workers could not volunteer for the armed forces and Skilled workers could not volunteer for the armed forces and were exempt from conscription after its introduction in 1916.were exempt from conscription after its introduction in 1916.

Between 1914 and 1918 a total of 481 warships were built on Between 1914 and 1918 a total of 481 warships were built on the Clyde, and profits were good.the Clyde, and profits were good.

Other heavy industries also benefited: Other heavy industries also benefited: - North British Locomotive Company at Springburn and - North British Locomotive Company at Springburn and Polmadie Polmadie - Beardmore’s in Parkhead employed 20,000 workers by 1915, - Beardmore’s in Parkhead employed 20,000 workers by 1915, producing aircraft and airships as well as ships. producing aircraft and airships as well as ships.

Shipbuilding after the Great Shipbuilding after the Great WarWar

Shipbuilding went into decline: between 1921 and 1923 the Shipbuilding went into decline: between 1921 and 1923 the tonnage built on the Clyde went down from 510,000 to tonnage built on the Clyde went down from 510,000 to

170,000. By the 1930 yards were closing as orders dried up.170,000. By the 1930 yards were closing as orders dried up. This slow and almost terminal decline This slow and almost terminal decline happened because:happened because: decreased innovation, a return to old practicesdecreased innovation, a return to old practices lack of investment in new shipbuilding lack of investment in new shipbuilding

technology technology poor industrial relations poor industrial relations increasing foreign competitionincreasing foreign competition

The Scottish Fishing industry before Great The Scottish Fishing industry before Great WarWar

Herring was a delicacy on the Continent and was caught relatively easily off the Coast of Scotland. By 1913, Scotland had the largest fishing fleet in Europe with over 10,000 boats involved in the industry.

At the peak of the Herring Boom in 1907, 2.5 million barrels of fish (250,000 tons) were cured and mostly exported to Germany, Eastern Europe and Russia. The boats followed the shoals of herring around the coast of Britain and along with them there followed an army of curers, merchants, general hands - and the herring lasses.

Throughout the boom, the Scots fisher lasses were an integral part of the fisheries landscape at any port where herring was landed. The girls came from fishing villages all around the Coast of Scotland. They began gutting and packing the ‘silver darlings’ at the age of 15, and travelled throughout the season from Stornoway to Lerwick, to Peterhead, and as far south as Yarmouth.

Plenty of work packing salted herring to be sold to Russia, Poland and Germany

Fishing during the Great Fishing during the Great WarWar Once the war started, all east coast ports were closed, Once the war started, all east coast ports were closed,

so the fishing industry here was effectively shut down.so the fishing industry here was effectively shut down. ““In September 1914 Scotland’s east-coast ports were In September 1914 Scotland’s east-coast ports were

commandeered by the Admiralty, who also took commandeered by the Admiralty, who also took control of all shipping, including the fishing fleet…” T. control of all shipping, including the fishing fleet…” T. RoyleRoyle

This meant the loss of herring markets in Russia and This meant the loss of herring markets in Russia and North Germany.North Germany.

Fishing continued on the west coast but only in Fishing continued on the west coast but only in inshore waters.inshore waters.

In 1914, 32,600 men worked in the Scottish fishing In 1914, 32,600 men worked in the Scottish fishing industry. By 1917 there were 22,000.industry. By 1917 there were 22,000.

In the same years, white fish catches fell from 1.5 In the same years, white fish catches fell from 1.5 million tons to half a millionmillion tons to half a million

The loss of export markets for Scottish fish caused by The loss of export markets for Scottish fish caused by the war was a disaster for the industry which the war was a disaster for the industry which struggled to recover after the war. struggled to recover after the war.

Fishing during the Great Fishing during the Great WarWar Royal Navy Reserve (Trawler Section), 8,000 Royal Navy Reserve (Trawler Section), 8,000

strong, kept the industry going when strong, kept the industry going when restrictions elsewhere prevented its restrictions elsewhere prevented its operation. 2,000 of these fishermen came operation. 2,000 of these fishermen came from Lewis.from Lewis.

Restrictions on how much could be fished Restrictions on how much could be fished pushed up prices and by 1917 white fish was pushed up prices and by 1917 white fish was rationed.rationed.

Many of the Scottish fishermen and merchant Many of the Scottish fishermen and merchant navy sailors who lost their lives came from navy sailors who lost their lives came from the Western Isles; a local perception that the Western Isles; a local perception that these areas suffered disproportionately.these areas suffered disproportionately.

German submarine

Scottish steam drifter from Peterhead on Naval duties

Fishing after the Great warFishing after the Great war ““During the war, Scottish fishing lost its markets During the war, Scottish fishing lost its markets

to Russia and to Germany, and with increased to Russia and to Germany, and with increased competition from Iceland, Holland, Norway, it was competition from Iceland, Holland, Norway, it was an increased cost of production in Scotland.  an increased cost of production in Scotland. 

The fishing industry was not well equipped to The fishing industry was not well equipped to take on these other fishing nations in the 1920s.  take on these other fishing nations in the 1920s. 

As a result catches fell considerably, exports As a result catches fell considerably, exports halved, basically the industry did not recover halved, basically the industry did not recover again until after 1945.  again until after 1945. 

So in the long-term the impact of the First World So in the long-term the impact of the First World War was disastrous for Scottish fishing.”War was disastrous for Scottish fishing.” Dr. William Kenefick (transcript from LtS video clip)Dr. William Kenefick (transcript from LtS video clip)

Agriculture during the Great Agriculture during the Great WarWar

Food became increasingly scarce and more expensive as the war Food became increasingly scarce and more expensive as the war progressed. Government promoted self-sufficiency by introducing progressed. Government promoted self-sufficiency by introducing measures to make more farmland arable.measures to make more farmland arable.

Attempts to grow more in Scotland not very successful as amount of Attempts to grow more in Scotland not very successful as amount of suitable land was limited; many were hill farms. Only 5 out of 19 suitable land was limited; many were hill farms. Only 5 out of 19 million acres were under crops.million acres were under crops.

Labour shortage as many had volunteered to fight in the war; more Labour shortage as many had volunteered to fight in the war; more men in this industry than elsewhere. Number of farm workers dropped men in this industry than elsewhere. Number of farm workers dropped by 18,000 over the course of the war.by 18,000 over the course of the war.

Main contribution from farming in Scotland was from sheep farming: Main contribution from farming in Scotland was from sheep farming: wool and meat.wool and meat.

Sheep industry enjoyed full employment and high wages from 1916, Sheep industry enjoyed full employment and high wages from 1916, when the Government bought all of Scotland’s wool production.when the Government bought all of Scotland’s wool production.

Average wage of a ploughman more than doubled by 1919.Average wage of a ploughman more than doubled by 1919. Oats and vegetables all increased in amount being farmed and yield Oats and vegetables all increased in amount being farmed and yield

because of the need to grow more home products. 25% increase in the because of the need to grow more home products. 25% increase in the acreage devoted to oats. acreage devoted to oats. 

Food shortages led to ‘meatless’ days by 1918: Wednesdays and Food shortages led to ‘meatless’ days by 1918: Wednesdays and Fridays in Scotland.Fridays in Scotland.

Food rationing in operation in Scotland by 7 April 1918.Food rationing in operation in Scotland by 7 April 1918.

Professor Elaine McFarlandProfessor Elaine McFarland““The Defence of the Realm Act plus the The Defence of the Realm Act plus the inflation surrounding prices for agricultural inflation surrounding prices for agricultural goods does change agricultural practices goods does change agricultural practices and does change the Scottish landscape.  and does change the Scottish landscape.  It pushes more land into cultivation, into It pushes more land into cultivation, into cereal cultivation, and one crop that really cereal cultivation, and one crop that really comes to the fore is oats, there’s a 25% comes to the fore is oats, there’s a 25% increase in the acreage devoted to oats.  increase in the acreage devoted to oats.  Of course this is to feed the horses on Of course this is to feed the horses on which the British Army still relied.”which the British Army still relied.”

Agriculture after the Great Agriculture after the Great warwar

1920 Agricultural Act was introduced 1920 Agricultural Act was introduced to maintain prices and production. to maintain prices and production. However, by 1921 this Act was However, by 1921 this Act was abandoned because of the poor state abandoned because of the poor state of the economy causing hardship for of the economy causing hardship for many farm workers who lost jobs or many farm workers who lost jobs or had wages cut.had wages cut.

Other industries after the Great Other industries after the Great WarWar Decline in locomotive production by two-thirds at the North Decline in locomotive production by two-thirds at the North

British Locomotive company. Engineering work also went British Locomotive company. Engineering work also went into decline as railway companies were amalgamated and into decline as railway companies were amalgamated and their direction moved from Scotland to London.their direction moved from Scotland to London.

Coal production went into decline as a result of falling Coal production went into decline as a result of falling orders from expoorders from expo

Jute production faced declining orders and industrial action.Jute production faced declining orders and industrial action.

Textiles affected by declining markets.Textiles affected by declining markets.

Decline in those working on the land.Decline in those working on the land.

Decline in Highland population: Decline in Highland population: 341,535 in 1911, 325,853 in 1921. (a fall of c.16,000) 341,535 in 1911, 325,853 in 1921. (a fall of c.16,000) Because of: Because of:

Emigration, Emigration, loss of life loss of life decline in agriculturedecline in agriculture

Land settlement improved, although there was still a shortage of decent land Land settlement improved, although there was still a shortage of decent land in the Highlands and Islands.in the Highlands and Islands.

Highland crofters had enjoyed security of tenure from 1886. The 1919 Land Highland crofters had enjoyed security of tenure from 1886. The 1919 Land Settlement (Scotland) Act released funds and allowed the Board of Agriculture Settlement (Scotland) Act released funds and allowed the Board of Agriculture to compulsorily purchase private land. to compulsorily purchase private land.

However, the process was laborious and slow. However, the process was laborious and slow. Land raids occurred, especially by ex-servicemen who expected land on their Land raids occurred, especially by ex-servicemen who expected land on their

return from the trenches, in areas like Lewis, Uist, Skye and Sutherland.return from the trenches, in areas like Lewis, Uist, Skye and Sutherland.

The Highlands after the Great The Highlands after the Great WarWar