AD 1900-2000 Modern period

At the beginning of the 20th century AD the industries of south Wales were flourishing. The First World War meant that coal demand rose, but in 1921 this collapsed as a result of the worldwide economic depression. There was a similar decline in other industries such as the woollen mills and tinplating works. Massive unemployment led to widespread poverty and there were many strikes and riots in protest. In 1900 the Labour Party had been founded in south Wales, and the area continued to be extremely politically militant.

The Second World War heralded a recovery of the economy and the growth of wartime industry meant that unemployment dropped dramatically. After the war, however, the rich seams of coal began to deplete. Although the decline of heavy industry brought a great deal of unemployment and poverty to the area, new industries are bringing economic recovery back to Wales.

In the 1960s moves were made for a measure of independence from England. Gwynfor Evans, the first Member of Parliament to sit for Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Nationalist Party, was elected in 1966. In 1999, after a referendum, the Welsh National Assembly opened. The Assembly can administer the Welsh budget but it cannot raise taxes or make new law.