1945-51: Changing Political and Economic Landscape

Question 1

Who was Ernest Bevin?

Answer 1

Ernest Bevin (1881-1951) was a working-class Labour politician and trade unionist. He worked as a lorry driver and labourer before entering politics.

Question 2

What was Ernest Bevin’s position within the Labour Party?

Answer 2

Bevin was on the right wing of the Labour Party and was suspicious of communism.

Question 3

What major event did Bevin participate in during 1926?

Answer 3

Ernest Bevin participated in the General Strike of 1926 but believed it was a mistake.

Question 4

What problems did the war cause for workers in the UK?

Answer 4

The war caused long antisocial hours, lack of recognition, and changing pay packets, leading to numerous strikes over wages and working conditions.

Question 5

What did the government introduce in 1940 to address wartime strikes?

Answer 5

The government introduced Defence Regulation 58AA in 1940, which banned strikes and lockouts during the war.

Question 6

What was the significance of the 1942 strike at Bettershanger, Kent?

Answer 6

In 1942, miners at Bettershanger went on an illegal strike, and the government took over the coal industry, initially prosecuting 1,050 miners.

Question 7

How did the government respond to the Bettershanger strike?

Answer 7

The government fined the miners between £1 and £3, but miners from other pits went on strike in solidarity, forcing the Home Secretary to drop charges and improve wages.

Question 8

Who were the Bevin Boys?

Answer 8

The Bevin Boys were young miners conscripted to work in the mines during World War II, often angered by lower pay than experienced miners.

Question 9

How many strikes occurred in South Wales coalfields between 1939 and 1944?

Answer 9

Between 1939 and 1944, there were 514 strikes in the South Wales coalfields.

Question 10

What happened during the 1944 strike by Welsh miners?

Answer 10

In spring 1944, 100,000 Welsh miners went on strike for better wages, as their daily rate of £5 was lower than manufacturing wages of £6.10.

Question 11

How did the government respond to the 1944 Welsh miners’ strike?

Answer 11

The government quickly relented to the Welsh miners’ demands for better wages after the strike.

Question 12

How did World War II benefit British miners?

Answer 12

The war provided British miners with opportunities for improved pay, which were not available in times of peace.

Question 13

What role did union leaders have in government between 1945 and 1951?

Answer 13

Union leaders were appointed to numerous government bodies on wages, industry, and social policy, giving them more influence than ever before.

Question 14

How many government committees did union leaders sit on by 1949?

Answer 14

By 1949, union leaders sat on 60 government committees, a significant increase from 12 in 1939.

Question 15

How many Labour MPs were sponsored by unions in 1945?

Answer 15

In 1945, 120 Labour MPs were sponsored directly by the unions.

Question 16

How many union-backed MPs became ministers between 1945 and 1951?

Answer 16

Between 1945 and 1951, 26 union-backed MPs became ministers, with 6 sitting in the cabinet, including Ernest Bevin.

Question 17

What was the relationship between the TUC and the Labour Party after 1945?

Answer 17

After 1945, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Labour Party shared similar views on economic and social priorities.

Question 18

What significant law did the Labour Party repeal in 1945?

Answer 18

The Labour Party repealed the 1927 Trade Disputes Act, which had been imposed after the General Strike.

Question 19

What did the repeal of the 1927 Trade Disputes Act restore?

Answer 19

The repeal of the Act restored the power of the union movement in industrial disputes.

Question 20

How did Ernest Bevin contribute to the Labour government?

Answer 20

Bevin, as a senior Labour politician, played a key role in shaping post-war industrial relations and union policies.

Question 21

Why were miners unhappy about the pay disparity during the war?

Answer 21

Miners were unhappy because their pay was lower than workers in other industries, despite the dangerous and demanding nature of their work.

Question 22

What was the significance of the strike by 100,000 Welsh miners in 1944?

Answer 22

The 100,000 Welsh miners’ strike was a major labor protest that forced the government to meet their wage demands, showing the growing power of unions.

Question 23

What was the economic effect of wartime industrial relations on workers?

Answer 23

Wartime industrial relations led to improved wages for some workers, particularly miners, who used the war as leverage for higher pay.

Question 24

How did the industrial relations environment change after 1945?

Answer 24

After 1945, union leaders had unprecedented access to decision-making bodies, influencing government policy on wages and industry.

Question 25

What was the long-term impact of Labour’s policies on trade unions?

Answer 25

The Labour Party’s policies between 1945 and 1951 strengthened trade unions and restored their influence in industrial relations and politics.