Final answer:
Toxteth's mass unemployment was due to the post-war economic slowdown, decline in industrial jobs, and increased part-time labor without benefits, exacerbating inequality especially for Black communities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mass unemployment in Toxteth, which is a district in Liverpool, England, during the late 70s and early 80s was caused by a combination of factors, including the broader post-war economic slump, declining industrial jobs, and an increase in part-time and contract labor with no benefits.
The strain on factory jobs led to the decline of union membership and an alarming rise in economic inequality. The difficulties were more severe for Black communities, as unemployment rates were almost twice as high compared to White communities.
Cities experienced the loss of middle-class workers and factories, which had devastating impacts on local economies, particularly in the Manufacturing Belt that turned into the Rust Belt due to declines in manufacturing jobs.
The effects of mass unemployment were profound, with those who lost jobs often becoming invisible in public spaces. This economic downturn contributed to a loss of faith in the political system and the nation's leaders during that period.
Despite some economists' hopes that personal savings and pent-up demand for consumer products would prevent high unemployment rates post-war, the reality proved to be harsher. The economic challenges of the late 70s and early 80s culminated in visible hardships such as long breadlines and an increase in poverty.