02-07 UK starters Flashcards

1
Q

What is the name of the voting system used in the UK?

A

First Past the Post (FPTP)

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2
Q

Describe what a trade union is?

A
  • An organisation made up of workers from a certain industry or business
  • They fight for workers’ rights and pay
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3
Q

Explain the term coalition government?

A

If no party wins a majority, the biggest party may team up with another party

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4
Q

Explain why it is important for governments to have strong majorities in parliament?

A

It is difficult to get laws passed without a majority

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5
Q

What three major political parties existed at the start of the 20th century in Britain?

A

The Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal party.

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6
Q

What three political parties existed at the start of the 20th century in Britain?

A

The Liberals, Conservatives and Labour

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7
Q

What happened to the Liberal Party in 1916?

A

The Liberal Party split between supporters of Asquith and David Lloyd George

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8
Q

Describe how Britain was governed from 1916-1922?

A

A coalition government of Liberals and Conservatives led by David Lloyd George

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9
Q

Who was the leader of the Conservative Party for the majority of the interwar period?

A

Stanley Baldwin

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10
Q

Why did the 1911 Wages for MP Act help the Labour Party?

A

It gave them the ability to send working-class MPs to parliament

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11
Q

What kind of government did Labour have in 1924 and 1929-31?

A

Minority governments: dependent on Liberal support

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12
Q

Why did the Liberal Party decline in the interwar years?

A
  • Splits in 1916 between Asquithites and Georgites
  • DLG mistakes: Geddes Axe, Cash For Honours, Chanak Crisis
  • RISE OF LABOUR!
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13
Q

Explain why the Conservatives could be seen as ‘competent’ across this period?

A
  • Adapted well to new electorate post-ROPA
  • No class war rhetoric vs Labour
  • Baldwin’s reputation for economic competence
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14
Q

Explain how the voting system benefitted the Tories?

A
  • Plural voting favoured the Tories
  • They won over many new voters in 1918 with ROPA
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15
Q

What struggles prevented Labour from dominating interwar politics?

A

Minority governments made it difficult to pass legislation/have strong government
Suspicion of communist sympathies: Campbell affair, Zinoviev Letter
World events: Great Depression

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16
Q

What was the legacy of WW1?

A

Loss of export markets
750,000 deaths
£3.25 billion debt

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17
Q

What two things did people invest their money in after WW1?

A

Shares in industries
Luxury Goods

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18
Q

What was the impact of the recession 1920-21?

A

Unemployment rose to 12%
North-South Gap increased
Retrenchment measures introduced (Geddes Axe)

19
Q

What was the impact of going back on the Gold Standard?

A

Pound overvalued by 10%
Exports became uncompetitive
Traditional industries hit hard
Interest rates rose

20
Q

What was the impact of the Great Depression on Britain?

A

Unemployment rose to 2.5m
British exports reduced by 50%
Economy shrunk by 5% in 1931

21
Q

Describe the term industrial relations?

A

Relations between industries and government

22
Q

Explain what the term ‘Two Englands’ means?

A

The divide between traditional industry in the North and newer, light industries in the South

23
Q

Describe how strike action changed after WW1?

A

During the war, DLG negotiated to keep it low.

It increased after WW1: 84m days lost to strikes in 1921

24
Q

What was ‘Red Clydeside’?

A

A protest of 90,000 workers in Glasgow in response to working hours being cut. Tanks and soldiers were brought in to stop the protest.

25
Q

What was the Triple Alliance?

A

An alliance of the Transport, Mining and Railway Unions, who striked in solidarity.

26
Q

What were the consequences of the General Strike 1926?

A

Miners’ pay was slashed
The Trade Disputes Act 1927 weakened all union activity

27
Q

What was the General Strike 1926?

A

When the Triple Alliance went on strike in protest of miners’ grievances (issues). It lasted 9 days in June before being put down.

28
Q

What happened to the mines in 1921?

A

They were returned to private owners

29
Q

Why was the coal industry going into decline after WW1?

A

Recession
Traditional industries were becoming uncompetitive
Coal pits overmined during WW1
Oil now available as fuel on ships
More countries mined coal themselves

30
Q

What key event in 1925 caused the coal industry to suffer?

A

The return to the Gold Standard
Exports became overpriced and uncompetitive and interest rates rose, making borrowing hard.

31
Q

What did the Samuel Commission recommend in May 1926?

A

The government should end the subsidy to miners

They should also cut wages by 13.5%

32
Q

What were the key consequences of the General Strike 1926?

A

Trade Disputes Act 1927
Conservative Party strengthened
Mining Industry faced pay cuts

33
Q

What were the key causes of the General Strike 1926?

A

Government actions

Economic Challenges - Declining traditional industries, return to Gold Standard

Removal of Support Measures - Private Ownership, Samuel Commission

34
Q

What three political parties existed at the start of the 20th century in Britain?

A

The Liberals, Conservatives and Labour

35
Q

What happened to the Liberal Party in 1916?

A

The Liberal Party split between supporters of Asquith and David Lloyd George

36
Q

Why did the Liberal Party decline in the interwar years

A

Splits in 1916 between Asquithites and Georgites
DLG mistakes: Geddes Axe, Cash For Honours, Chanak Crisis
RISE OF LABOUR!

37
Q

Explain why the Conservatives could be seen as ‘competent’ across this period?

A
  • Adapted well to new electorate post-ROPA
  • No class war rhetoric vs Labour
  • Baldwin’s reputation for economic competence
  • Handling of General Strike 1926
38
Q

What struggles prevented Labour from dominating interwar politics?

A
  • Minority governments made it difficult to pass legislation/have strong government
  • Suspicion of communist sympathies: Campbell affair, Zinoviev Letter
  • World events: Great Depression
39
Q

Describe Labour’s election victory in 1929

A

Labour was elected with a minority government, which required the aid of 59 Liberals.
Conservatives won largest vote share.

40
Q

What issue was Labour divided over in 1931?

A

Cutting unemployment aid by 10% to increase government funds

41
Q

Who were the four Prime Ministers who led the National Government?

A

Ramsay Macdonald (1931-35), Stanley Baldwin (1935-37), Neville Chamberlain (1937-40), Winston Churchill (1940-45)

42
Q

How did the National Government deal with the issue of extremism?

A

Passed the Public Order Act 1936, banning inflammatory political meetings and military-style uniforms

43
Q

What happened to the Labour Party during the 1930s?

A

They reorganised under Clement Attlee and became the official opposition party. They gained 154 seats at the 1935 General Election

44
Q

How did rearmament aid the country?

A

Eased economic difficulties → increased production and caused unemployment to fall