13: The reasons for the National Government

Question 1

Who did the King speak to from the Conservative and Liberal Party? (2)

Answer 1

• Stanley Baldwin

- Herbert Samuel

Question 2

What was the initial plan for the National Government?

Answer 2

To be a temporary arrangement as a “government of persons”

Question 3

What did the conservatives and liberals think about MacDonald continuing as Prime Minister?

Answer 3

It was advantageous due to the drastic economic cuts and unpopular measures that had to be made

Question 4

Who chose to follow MacDonald into the new government? (3)

Answer 4

• Snowden
• Thomas
• Sankey (the Lord Chancellor)

Question 5

After the events of 1931, how did the Labour party and Trade unionists react?

Answer 5

Accused Macdonald of treachery in abandoning the cause of the working man and only thinking of his own career ambitions in accepting leadership of the National Government

Question 6

What was MacDonald accused of? (5)

Answer 6

• Setting up the May committee instead of listening to the council he had previously set up; he was not brave enough to consider new ideas and ignored Oswald Mosley
• Slow to respond to the crisis and so allowed it to get worse
• Failed to appreciate the depth of feeling within the Labour Party over unemployment benefits and was too quick to ignore the unions and his own cabinet members
• When the party split became obvious he didn’t take the honourable course and resign but instead aligned with the Conservatives
• He had called an election in 1931 even though he promised not to and the timing caused an electoral disaster for Labour