1964 - 1970 Flashcards
WILSON vs DOUGLAS HOME
How old was Wilson, and what did he do with this?
In his 40s, paired himself with the young and progressive JFK
WILSON vs DOUGLAS HOME
What was Wilson?
Media savvy
WILSON vs DOUGLAS HOME
Did Wilson run a successful election campaign?
Yes
WILSON vs DOUGLAS HOME
Why did Wilson appear classless?
He went to a state secondary school and smoked a pipe
WILSON vs DOUGLAS HOME
Why did Douglas Home not appear classless?
Old Etonian, renounced his lordship through the peerage act
WILSON vs DOUGLAS HOME
Why was Douglas Home further unpopular?
Didn’t win his leadership through a party election
THE 1964 GENERAL ELECTION
How many seats did Labour win?
317
THE 1964 GENERAL ELECTION
How many seats did the Conservatives win?
304
THE 1964 GENERAL ELECTION
What did the election results show?
More moving away from the Conservatives towards Labour
THE 1964 GENERAL ELECTION
What did Wilson want to do with privilege?
Replace it with purpose and drive
TRADE UNIONS
What was a trade union?
A group set up to protect collective workers rights, such as for miners or teachers
TRADE UNIONS
What do trade unions do?
Liaise with the government and work with the individual. The ultimate action they can call is a strike so governments want to take conciliatory action towards trade unions.
TRADE UNIONS
What is a wildcat strike?
An unofficial strike decided on the day
TRADE UNIONS
In 1960, an opinion poll showed how many people in favour of trade unions?
60%
TRADE UNIONS
What did strikes by seaman and dockers cause?
Economic issues
TRADE UNIONS
When did the seaman and dockers go on strike?
1966 and 1967 relations w trade unions began to deteriorate
TRADE UNIONS
Were old union bosses losing their grip?
Yes, because strikes were being started by wildcats and local activists
TRADE UNIONS
Who was Wilson’s employment minister?
Barbara Castle
TRADE UNIONS
How many working days were lost in 1967?
806
TRADE UNIONS
What did Wilson and Castle want to prevent?
Unofficial strikes
TRADE UNIONS
What did Castle strongly believe in?
Powerful trade unions, but which act responsibly
TRADE UNIONS
When did Castle produce his white paper ‘in place of strife’?
January 1969
TRADE UNIONS
In many ways, what would Castle’s proposals do?
Strengthen the position of unions
TRADE UNIONS
What four key elements were hard for unions to accept?
- The 28 cooling off period before strikes went ahead
- The government could impose a settlement when unions were in dispute with each other in demarcation disputes
- Strike ballots could be used
- An industrial relations court would be able to prosecute people who broke the rules
TRADE UNIONS
Did voters like Castles’ proposal?
Yes
TRADE UNIONS
Which Labour MPs supported Castle?
Roy Jenkins the chancellor and others
TRADE UNIONS
Did Castle annoy powerful union leaders?
Yes, it caused a storm of protest from union leaders such as Jack Jones from the Transport and general workers union
TRADE UNIONS
Who was Jack Jones supported by?
Callaghan, and at least 50 Labour MPs ready to rebel
TRADE UNIONS
How long did the row go on for?
Months until Wilson gave in
TRADE UNIONS
In June 1969, what did the TUC negotiate?
A face saving compromise, but everyone knew it was a humiliating step down by government
TRADE UNIONS
What did this failed implementation do?
Made the government look weak
NORTHERN IRELAND 1964 - 70
How was Northern Ireland created?
In 1922 after the Irish war of independence 1919 - 1921
NORTHERN IRELAND 1964 - 70
How many counties was Ireland partitioned between?
6 which would remain part of UK, and 26 counties which made up the Irish free state - this became known as the Republic of Ireland
NORTHERN IRELAND 1964 - 70
Was the partition controversial?
Yes, leading to a civil war between unionists and nationalists
NORTHERN IRELAND 1964 - 70
What religion were the majority of people in NI?
Protestant
NORTHERN IRELAND 1964 - 70
What did the domination of protestants mean about Belfast parliament?
Stormont and the whole socio-economic system in NI was dominated by protestant unionists
NORTHERN IRELAND 1964 - 70
By 1960s what was there mounting evidence of?
Catholics in NI were being discriminated against by employers in housing. Electoral boundaries had been deliberately drawn to prevent Catholics being elected in, and in addition the were accusations the NUC were biased towards protestants.
NORTHERN IRELAND 1964 - 70
When did the civil rights movement in NI begin to challenge the covert discrimination?
1964
NORTHERN IRELAND 1964 - 70
When did tensions flare?
Tensions flared as some unionists feared the IRA would begin a new campaign. These so called loyalists started to set up parliamentary organisations to defend the union.
NORTHERN IRELAND 1964 - 70
When were civil rights marches held?
1968 to protest against the discrimination
NORTHERN IRELAND 1964 - 70
What were the civil rights marches attacked by?
Loyalists, catholics complained the RUC had failed to protect them
NORTHERN IRELAND 1964 - 70
In 1969 why did the situation deteriorate?
Because loyalist apprentice boys went ahead with their annual march in Derry and were attacked by nationalists in the catholic area of bogside.
NORTHERN IRELAND 1964 - 70
What happened after Catholics were attacked in Bogside?
They were held back by two days of violent rioting. Televised pictures showed NUC officers beating up Catholics
NORTHERN IRELAND 1964 - 70
What did rioting from catholics cause?
The stormont government offered concessions of housing and electoral boundaries; this consequently sparked rioting from loyalists
NORTHERN IRELAND 1964 - 70
In August 1969, what did Wilson do?
Send in British army troupes to try and keep the peace
CONSENSUS AND THE 1970 ELECTION
How many seats did the Conservatives gain in 1970?
330
CONSENSUS AND THE 1970 ELECTION
How many seats did Labour lose?
Went to 287
CONSENSUS AND THE 1970 ELECTION
Who was up against who?
Edward Heath vs Harold Wilson
CONSENSUS AND THE 1970 ELECTION
By 1970, why were there signs the post war consensus were beginning to break down?
- Economic policies did not seem to have been solved by consensus
- Trade unions were seemingly more uncooperative
- Social problems and policies had not yet ended
CONSENSUS AND THE 1970 ELECTION
What did Heath appear as?
Hardworking, conscientious and an image of competence
CONSENSUS AND THE 1970 ELECTION
Was Powell’s river of blood speech in touch w public mood?
Yes
CONSENSUS AND THE 1970 ELECTION
What did the breakdown of post war consensus mean?
Conservative policies became more popular
REJECTION FROM THE EEC
Were the Labour government desperate to join the EEC in 1964 as their predecessors?
No
REJECTION FROM THE EEC
Why in 1962 why did Gaitskell fight passionately against the EEC application?
He said it would ‘be the end of 1000 years of history’; he feared it would be the first step towards a federal political union
REJECTION FROM THE EEC
Who other than Gaitskell were against the EEC application?
Many of the Labour left, such as Barbara Castle, were equally as hostile. They saw the EEC as a ‘capitalist club’ which would prevent Britain from following socialist policies.
REJECTION FROM THE EEC
Were there Europhiles in the cabinet?
Yes, they saw the economic strengths of joining and Wilson was very conscious at having Labour appear united on this issue.
REJECTION FROM THE EEC
Why did Wilson reapply?
- Economic benefits, same time as devaluation and the increasing deficit
- Issues in Rhodesia
- Strained American relations, Vietnam so wanted to strengthen relationships with Europe
REJECTION FROM THE EEC
Why did Britain not get into the EEC?
Degaulle was still president of France and had not changed his 1963 mind despite many meetings w the Labour government
REJECTION FROM THE EEC
Why did DeGaulle reject the application?
He was still bitter about France being rejected from the 1945 Yalta and Potsdam conferences and he thought Britain would be an obstructive member.
REJECTION FROM THE EEC
Were other members of the EEC angry with DeGaulle’s rejection?
On this occasion the other 5 members were quite open with their annoyance, this was little consolation to Wilson who had befallen the same humiliating defeat as Macmillan
WITHDRAWAL FROM SUEZ
Who was the minister of defence?
Denis Healey
WITHDRAWAL FROM SUEZ
What did Healey start?
A process of spending cuts. In 1967, Healey’s defence white paper set a timetable for troupe withdrawal from Adan, the Middle East, Malaysia and Singapore
WITHDRAWAL FROM SUEZ
Why did Healey’s cuts initially not go further?
Wilson believed in the Atlantic Alliance and in Britain’s continuation to have a world role. Therefore, no serious debates were held about reducing spending on nuclear deterrents despite it’s expense.
WITHDRAWAL FROM SUEZ
What did the government announce its commitment to?
The US deployment of Polari missiles
WITHDRAWAL FROM SUEZ
Why did much of the initial defence cuts have to change in January 1968?
The devaluation cuts of 1967 meant dramatic spending cuts had to occur
WITHDRAWAL FROM SUEZ
In January 1967, what was rapidly accelerated?
Withdrawal from East Suez, Adan, the Arabian Gulf, Malaysia and Singapore
WITHDRAWAL FROM SUEZ
Despite the wishes of Wilson and Healey, what had to be abandoned?
The development of a new high tech warplane the TSR2
VIETNAM
Was Wilson pro American?
Yes - supportive of the Atlantic Alliance
VIETNAM
Describe the context of the Vietnam war
The cold war was ongoing and Britain wanted to ensure that the US stayed committed to defending Western Europe. Soviet threats were highlighted by the red armies invasion of Czechslovakia. However, this relationship became strained over the Vietnam war.
VIETNAM
When did the Vietnam war begin and escalate?
1955, 1964
VIETNAM
From the escalation of the war, with did the US want?
It’s allies to send troupes in, Australia agreed but Wilson resisted sending any direct military intervention
VIETNAM
Why was Vietnam a balancing act for Wilson?
He wanted to keep the Atlantic Alliance but the war was very unpopular in Britain so Wilson lacked the political support. Also Britain couldn’t afford military involvement but needed Americas help to avoid devaluing the pound
VIETNAM
What did Wilson decide to do?
Give moral support rather than military support, this annoyed Johnson and a number of Labour supporters who wanted the government to condone the US
RHODESIA
In Southern Africa, what was Macmillan’s WOC speech seen as?
A threat
RHODESIA
What did Southern Rhodesia demand?
Independence, but Britain made it clear this wouldn’t happen until majority rule replaced political domination by the white people
RHODESIA
When did a political row blow up?
When Ian Smith became PM of Rhodesia in 1965 and issued a unilateral declaration of independence for Rhodesia without accepting majority rule.
RHODESIA
What were Smith’s actions?
A direct challenge to the Labour government, but Wilson hoped to make solutions quickly.
RHODESIA
When did Wilson meet Smith?
1966 onboard the HMS Tiger. This meeting seemed to represent progress but Smith disavowed everything once he got home.
RHODESIA
What action of Wilson didn’t have the desired effect?
Oil sanctions, because South Africa didnt stop trading with Rhodesia
RHODESIA
Where were more talks held?
Upon the HMS Fearless, but to no avail, Wilson’s diplomacy got nowhere. The situation upset the Commonwealth, Labour backbenchers and simultaneously made Britain look weak and Wilson unable to take charge.
ECONOMIC POLICIES AND PROBLEMS
Why was it essential Wilson carried out the modernisation of Britain’s economy?
Because he was elected on the basis of representing the modern age
ECONOMIC POLICIES AND PROBLEMS
What was Wilson desperate to end?
The stop-go policies of the Conservative governments and for Britain’s growth to catch up w countries like Japan and Germany
ECONOMIC POLICIES AND PROBLEMS
Describe why a country may devalue
One reason a country may devaluate its currency is to combat trade imbalances. Devaluation causes a country’s exports to become less expensive, making them more competitive on the global market. This in turn means that imports are more expensive, making domestic consumers less likely to purchase them.