3 The end of Post-War Consensus 1970-79 Flashcards
1
Q
What gave Edward Heath an advantage as he came into power in 1970?
A
He had already been leader of the opposition for 5 years, longer than any post-war Tory, bar Churchill]
- gave him time to draft a clear set of policies on the modernisation of Britain/industrial relations
2
Q
How was Edward Heaths education different to previous Tory leaders?
A
Educated at state schools
- made him different from the Old Etonians who had dominated the party previously
3
Q
What did Heath lack, compared to his rival Wilson?
A
Wasn’t a strategic politician, ‘too honest for his own good’
- good at creating policies, but not dealing with politics
4
Q
What were the 4 main economic policy goals proposed at the Tory Selsdon Park Conference, in the January before the 1970 election?
A
- Tax reforms
- reforms to trade unions
- cuts to public spending
- end of subsidies of ‘lame duck’ industries
These formed the basis for the 1970 election manifesto
5
Q
What are ‘lame duck’ industries?
A
Ones that are unable to compete/survive without support from the State
6
Q
What was decimilisation?
A
The change of the British currency to have 100 new pence, rather than 144 pennies, in £1
- Aligned with other European countries, for ease of trade
7
Q
What was the ‘Barber Boom’
A
When Chancellor, Anthony Barber, introduced cuts in public spending and taxes, as per the manifesto
- initial motivation was to encourage private investment
- however, only caused ‘stagflation’ in the economy
8
Q
What is ‘stagflation’
A
The situation where rapid inflation is paired with stagnant economic growth (and subsequent unemployment)
9
Q
In what year did unemployment reach 1 million?
A
1972
10
Q
What was the governments response as unemployment soared towards 1M?
A
They famously did a ‘U-turn’
- retreated from free-market economic principles announced in 1970
e.g Rolls-Royce was nationalised in 1971
11
Q
What figure supported the idea that investment into modernising industry had been successful by 1973?
A
Unemployment fell to 500,000 from 1M the year prior
12
Q
What triggered the oil crisis of 1973?
A
The Yom Kippur War in the Middle East
- caused OPEC to declare an ‘oil embargo’
- oil prices rose to 4x the usual level
13
Q
What is OPEC
A
The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries
- led by Saudi Arabia
- fixed levels of production to ensure prices didn’t fall
14
Q
What 4 groups were industrial disputes already ongoing when Heath took over?
A
- Dockers - on strike
- Dustmen - pay settlement
- Postal workers - on strike
- Power workers - on a ‘go-slow’
15
Q
What 1) Act was introduced and 2) board abolished, in response to problems with Industrial Relations?
A
- Industrial Relations Act
- National Board for Prices and Incomes
16
Q
How effective was the Industrial Relations Act?
A
+ Set up and Industrial Relations Court for discussion
+ Created a ‘cooling off’ period before official strikes could begin
- Both the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
17
Q
How many days lost to strikes were there in 1972?
A
23,909,000 - the most since the General Strike of 1926
- Miners, Ambulance drivers, civil servants, power workers, hospital staff and engine drivers
18
Q
Who was Arthur Scargill?
A
Leader of the Yorkshire miners in the successful strikes of 1972 and 1974
- Later succeeded Joe Gormley as President of the NUM
19
Q
When was the Miners Strike of 1972?
A
Began on January 9th, in a very harsh winter
- Gov’t declared a State of Emergency in 1972 and closed schools
20
Q
What committee was established to examine miners’ demands?
A
The Wilberforce Committee
- eventually able to negotiate generous wage settlement with NUM leader Gormley
21
Q
Who criticised Heaths negotiation with the TUC and CBI, with the Industry Act 1972?
A
The right wing of the Party - Enoch Powell
22
Q
Why was Heath opposed to further wage demands from the Miners after the 1973 Oil Crisis?
A
They were beyond the limits the gov’t wanted to impose to hold down inflation
23
Q
What else did the Miners do to strengthen their wage demands in 1973
A
Introduced an overtime ban
24
Q
Who was the skilled negotiator who failed to agree with the NUM in 1974, after being transferred from the Northern Irish Office?
A
Willie Whitelaw - old style conservative centrist
- negotiated Sunningdale in 1973
- Miners refused to accept the pay offer
25
Why did Heath impose the 'three-day week'?
To conserve electricity in response to a wave of industrial action
- looming threat of a national coal strike in the middle of an energy crisis
26
What were 2 conditions/restrictions of the 3 day week?
- Fuel rationed (50mph speed limit)
- TV closed down at 10:30pm
27
What was the impact of the 3 day week?
- People got made redundant
- Longer shifts to make up for hours lost - neither productivity nor wages declined much
- BoP Crisis - shortage of coal
28
What was the name given to February 1974 Election, called by Heath?
'Who governs Britain?'
29
What was the result of the 'Who Governs?' general election of 1974
A Hung Parliament - no political party had an overall majority in the House of Commons
- voters not enthusiastic about either main political party
- reinforced idea of political crisis
30
Which surprisingly successful Party did Heath try to make a coalition with?
The Liberals - led by Jeremy Thorpe
- They had won almost 20% of the popular vote, but only gained 14 seats due to FPTP electoral system
31
What is sectarian violence?
Violence relating to divisions in society - religion in Northern Ireland
32
What were the 4 main paramilitary groups that emerged on each side, from 1970 onwards?
REPUBLICAN - wanted a unified Ireland
1. IRA (split between official IRA and Provisional IRA in 1970)
2. INLA (formed from official IRA in 1974)
LOYALISTS - wanted to maintain loyal to British Establishment
1. UDA (Ulster Defence Association)
2. UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force)
33
What was the NI Political group that tended to support the conservatives since 1912, and who was their leader?
UUP (Ulster Unionist Party) led by Brian Faulkner
34
Why was the policy of internment (locking up without trial), introduced in 1971, ineffective?
95% of those interned were catholic - further alienated societies
Described by IRA commander Jim McVeigh as 'one of the best recruiting tools the IRA had'
35
How did Bloody Sunday (30th January 1972) start?
Initially an organised protest against internment by NICRA (non-violence)
- British Soldiers responded by firing ammunition to control the march
36
How were the British Army viewed by Catholics and nationalist?
An enemy occupying power on FOREIGN land
37
How many were injured and died on Bloody Sunday?
26 unarmed civilians with 13 killed immediately
38
Who was the leader of the Provisional IRA in Derry at the time of Bloody Sunday, and what did he claim?
Martin McGuinness
- decision made by republicans for no 'aggro'
39
What was the name of the original report that decided the British Army acted in 'self-defence' on Bloody Sunday?
The Widgery Report 1972
- Many nationalists saw this as a state 'cover-up'
- Tony Blair's Saville Enquiry, post Good Friday agreement 1998, later condemned the deaths as 'unjustifiable'
40
How did Bloody Sunday grow support for the IRA?
- Witnesses of NICRA march queued up to join IRA, especially young people
- Raised funds in the USA
- Petrol Bomb burnt down British Embassy in Dublin
41
What were the stats for 1972, the bloodiest year of the Troubles?
- 1382 explosions
- 10,628 shooting incidents
- 480 people killed
42
What did Heath impose following the suspension of Stormont in March 1972?
Direct Rule - ruled from London rather than own Parliament
- Willie Whitelaw became secretary of state
43
What were the 3 main Unionist Parties?
1. UUP - only major unionist party in NI until the Troubles
2. DUP - fiercely opposed any form of power sharing or compromise, felt UUP was too moderate
3. Alliance - moderate unionist party, aimed to gain support from both Catholics and Protestants
44
What were the 2 main Nationalist Parties?
1. SDLP(Social Democratic Labour Party) - fought for Catholic Civil rights but rejected violence
2. Sinn Fein - Republic Party dating back to 1905. Split in 1970 with the new Sinn Fein supporting the Provisional IRA
45
Who were Reverend Ian Paisley and John Hume?
Hume (Nationalist)
- Leader of SDLP from 1979
- Won Nobel Peace prize in 1998 for role in Good Friday agreement
- Brought together Sinn Fein + British Gov't for talks
Paisley (Unionist)
- Leader of DUP
- led loyalist movement against Catholic Civil Rights in the 1960s
- refused power sharing or compromise throughout
46
What agreement did Heath and Whitelaw negotiate in 1973?
The Sunningdale Agreement
- complex power sharing agreement with support from SDLP, Alliance and leaders of UUP
47
What were the proposals made by the 1973 Sunningdale Agreement?
- power-sharing executive of both nations, both sides guaranteed representation
- New NI assembly elected under proportional representation system
- Council of Ireland that would have some input from ROI
48
What was the reaction to Sunningdale?
- Extremists (Republican + Unionists) called it a sell-out
- UUP later pulled out in Jan 1974, with Brian Faulkner replaced as leader
49
What mainland factors undermined the prospects of a true settlement after Sunningdale?
-The Miners' Strike
- February 1974 General Election
50
What was the main Northern Irish reason why the conservatives would always struggle to stay in power after 1973?
Strong opposition to Sunningdale meant the Conservative Party could no longer rely upon the UUP
51
Why was Harold Wilson in a much less promising position during his second term in 1974, than he had been 10 years prior?
1. Economic Situation
- Inflation at 15%
- BoP deficit of £3bn
2. Trade Union issues
3. Labour divisions
4. Minority gov't - harder to pass legislation
52
When did Wilson call a new election?
October 1974 - looking to solidify his place as leader
-luckily, the voters still associated Heath and Tories with 3 day week and industrial dispute
53
What had Wilson negotiated, whilst in opposition, that showed his intention to better deal with the trade unions?
Social Contract with the Trades Union Congress (TUC)
- involved a voluntary pay restraint by the TU's
- in return, gov't would repeal Heath's Industrial act and pay board
54
Agreement with which Trade Union allowed Wilson to end the State of Emergency and 3 day week?
National Union of Miners (NUM)
55
What changes to the Cabinet occurred in order to manage Industrial relations 1974-76?
Tony Benn (Secretary of State for Industry)
Michael Foot (Secretary of State for Employment)
Denis Healey (Chancellor)
- issued 2 budgets, deal with economic crisis without annoying unions
56
What did Healey's April 1975 budget aim to do?
Reduce the surge in inflation due to necessary wage increases to escape industrial crisis
- steep rises in taxation
- public spending was cut
57
What board was established in 1974, by Tony Benn, to administer the gov'ts shareholdings in Private Companies?
National Enterprise Board (NEB)
- it could also give financial aid to firms (subsidies)
- aimed to increase investment into domestic firms
By 1975, just one year later, it's effectiveness was being questioned
58
The decision to nationalise failing car manufacturer British Leyland caused renewed controversy over what?
The government rescuing failing 'lame-duck' industries
59
Why were Labour divisions intensified following the introduction of a Formal Pay restraint in 1975, after the failure of the Social Contract?
Left Wingers such as Benn and Foot did not want to increase pressure on the unions
- they believed in MORE state intervention in industry to help them prosper
60
In what year did Harold Wilson unexpectedly resign as leader of Labour?
March 1976
61
Why was James Callaghan seen as a 'Safe Pair of Hands' for maintaining Party Unity?
Seen as an Ally of the TU's
- opposed Barbara Castles 'In Place of Strife' wage policy in 1969
Long experience
- Chancellor in Wilson's first term
62
What were the concerns that growing BoP would lead to?
Increased pressure on the sterling - Britain did not have the reserves of currency to support it
63
What were the two terms, relating to Britain's economic situation, which Callaghan spoke of at the 1976 Labour Conference?
No longer in a 'Cosy World' - could not ensure full employment
'Twin evils' of inflation + unemployment - productivity needed to increase
- He criticised gov'ts of the previous 20 years for never fully resolving the issues
64
Why did the government apply for an emergency loan from the IMF?
Concerns about a 'run on the pound'
- December 1976, Healey (Chancellor) received £3bn loan
- IMF are pro free market, so gov't force to make big spending cuts in order to secure
65
Despite economic recovery after the IMF crisis, what image of Britain was portrayed?
- On the world stage, a country economically in decline
- The Conservatives denounced it as a national humiliation
- The Left wing furious that Labour gave in to international financiers
66
How did the North Sea Oilfield help aid the economic situation by 1978?
9 oilfields in production by 1978
- Inflation fell to 10%
- Unemployment still high at 1.6M, but had started to fall
- Days lost to industrial disputes at a decade-long low
67
What is a vote of no confidence?
A vote on whether the government is considered able to continue governing; if it is lost then the PM must resign or alternatively call a general election
68
What pact, following Labour losing a majority in the House of Commons in 1977, was signed to defeat a 'vote of no confidence' by the Conservative Party?
The 'Lib-Lab Pact'
- Meant that 12 Liberal MPs agreed to vote with the gov't in Parliament
69
What did Callaghan promise in return for the 'Lib-Lab Pact', which kept Labour in gov't?
To move ahead with Devolution for Wales and Scotland
Devolution - the transfer or powers to a lower level of government
70
What act was eventually passed, after lengthy debate, opening the way for referendums on Devolution?
1978 Devolution Acts for Scotland and Wales
- Took time to process as majority of Tory MPs and many within Labour were against Devolution
71
Why was it unlikely that Devolution would ever pass?
An opposed Labour MP inserted a clause that at least 40% of electorate (all those eligible to vote) had to approve
- The chances of such an occurrence (especially with many simply staying at home) were very slim
72
What were the results of the Devolution referendums (March 1979) in Scotland and Wales?
Wales voted conclusively against Devolution (79.7%)
In Scotland, more voted for devolution than against, but rules meant a simple majority was not sufficient
- Scottish Nationalist MPs withdrew support for the Labour Party
73
What government-proposed wage increase was rejected by the TUC in autumn 1978?
5%
- other unions followed with higher demands (e.g lorry drivers got 15% after a 9 week strike)
74
What were the most significant sectors on strike during the 'Winter of Discontent'?
- Transport (Train Drivers, Lorry Drivers)
- Hospital Porters
- Dustmen
- Gravediggers
The psychological affect of a dysfunctional society ruined the public mood
However, this industrial unrest was not on such as scale as that of the Miners' strike 1974
75
What average pay increase occurred by March 1979, ending the 'Winter of Discontent'?
10%
76
Why was Callaghan's decision not to call an election in 1978 (and instead wait until 1979) costly?
By 1979:
- political landscape changed by 'winter of discontent'
- Economic situation deteriorated (BoP returned to deficit of £902M)
- Reputation of Trade Unions damaged
Even many unskilled workers started to consider voting conservative
77
Over what issue did Callaghan's gov't finally lose a 'vote of no confidence' on, in March 1979?
Scottish Devolution
- The first time since 1924 a gov't had been brought down in such a way
78
What gave the Conservatives the advantage in the 1979 election?
- Images of 'Winter of Discontent' made media support Tories
- People felt Trade Unions had become too powerful under Labour
In reality, many of the 1979 strikes were a result of weak old union leaderships
79
By what surprising amount did the Labour vote fall by in 1979
Only 3% - held up quite well
80
Decline in which 2 other parties gave the Tories a comfortable working majority of 43 seats in 1979?
Liberals (down 5% on popular vote) and SNP
81
How did the Sunningdale agreement collapse?
1. Ulster Worker council announce strike 15th May 1974
2. British gov't declare state of emergency after power and telecommunications were limited
3. Faulkner resigned as chief executive of power-sharing Executive
4. Wilson forced to reimpose direct rule
The Sunningdale Agreement collapsed on 28th May 1974, a year after it was signed
82
What did Wilson establish to determine the future of government in NI?
Northern Irish Constitution Convention - an elected body
- results in July 1975 - majority for Unionists
However, unionists opposed any form of power sharing and the Convention was dissolved in 1976
83
What changed for Republican prisoners with the removal of Special Category Status in 1976?
They were no longer considered political prisoners, but to be treated as criminals (terrorists)
- paramilitaries disliked as they believed they were engaged in a war, rather than individual acts of terror
84
What was the initial protest by INLA and IRA Prisoners after being forced to wear prison uniform?
'Blanket Protest' - Prisoners were naked or only wore blankets
85
What type of protests did the 'Blanket Protests' escalate to in 1978?
'Dirty Protests'
- Republic prisoners refused to leave their cells, alleging mistreatment from Prison Guards
- By 1979 over 250 were taking part, with demands growing to regain their political status
86
What year did the UN debut International Women's Day, acknowledging the growth of second-wave feminism internationally during the 70s
1977
87
Which contest, held in 1970, did Womens Liberation groups disrupt as they felt it objectified women?
The Miss World Contest
- protestors threw stink and smoke bombs onto the stage and towards the male host
88
What 2 demands were made by Women's Lib demonstrators in London and Liverpool in March 1971?
1. Equal pay for women
2. Free 24-hour nurseries
89
What were the 2 types of feminist with different ideologies?
Radical feminists and Socialist feminists
90
What did radical feminists believe?
Women were oppressed by the patriarchal society
- campaigned strongly on issues such as reproductive rights (including contraception and abortion)
91
What did socialist feminists believe?
A clearer class dimension for women's equality
- campaigned on issues that would enable women to achieve financial independence
92
What ground-breaking form of contraception, though available from the 1960s, saw a spike in popularity after it became available on the NHS from 1971?
Birth Control Pill
93
When did the first rape crisis centre open in London?
1976
94
What 1976 act made it possible for women to take out court orders restraining violent partners?
Domestic Violence Act (1976)
95
'Reclaim the Night' marches were held in cities across Britain in response to murders of women by who?
The Yorkshire Ripper - Peter Sutcliffe
- Murdered 13 women and attempted 7 more between 1975-80
96
What did the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 aim to do?
End discrimination against men or women based on their gender/marital status
- also aimed to ensure equality of opportunity in the fields of employment and education to outlaw harassment
97
What was the function of the Equality Opportunities Commission?
It could bring court proceedings against any party it judged not to be compliant with the Equal Pay Act (1975) and Sex Discrimination Act (1975)
98
Why was the Equality Opportunities Commission largely ineffective?
It was very difficult to prove sex discrimination claims in the workplace
-The commission only launched 9 investigations (1976-83)
99
What change to mortgages in 1971 showed a clear step closer to women's financial independence?
Women able to take out a mortgage without a male guarantor
100
What was the name of the Act passed by Barbara Catle in 1975 which reformed the state pension scheme, giving more generously to women whose contributions had been limited by care responsibilities?
Social Security Pensions Act
101
What 2 things did the Employment Protection Act (1975) introduce?
1. Paid maternity leave
2. Outlawed dismissal on the grounds of pregnancy
102
What was the name of the charter produced by the TUC in 1979 which aimed to resolve inequalities regarding women in Trade Unions?
Equality for Women within Trade Unions
103
What loophole did employers use to avoid the Equal Pay Act (1975)?
Tasks for women were made slightly different, therefore creating a different job title for women
- Therefore business were able to claim that they were simply incomparable roles to those occupied by their male colleagues
104
What % increase in womens wages (as a proportion of mens) was experienced from 1970-77
From 58% (1970) to 70% (1977)
105
What did the Immigration Act 1971, passed by the conservative government, restrict?
The right of people from the New Commonwealth to come to Britain
- They now needed proof of a guaranteed job and at least 1 grandparent born in Britain to gain citizenship
106
For which group was an exception from the Immigration Act made, resulting in 28,000 arriving in Britain during the early 1970s?
Ugandan Asians
- Idi Amin tried to expel the non-native Ugandans, who had originally moved there from India
- Heath allowed them to move to Britain permanently as many owned British passports from when India was a colony
107
How many New Commonwealth immigrants had reached Britain by 1974
Over 1 million
- 325,000 West Indian
- 435,00 from India and Pakistan
- 150,000 from Africa
108
How many non-white councillors were elected in the London Borough Council elections 1974?
Only 10 - political representation for immigrants was still limited compared to the population
109
What commission did the 1976 Race Relations Act, passed by Labour, establish to tackle discrimination on the basis of race?
Commission for Racial Equality
- had the power to launch investigations on discrimination and compel witnesses to appear before it
110
What was the National Front
A political party formed to oppose non-white immigration
111
In which place in London, with large immigrant diasporas, were the National Front especially active during the 1970s?
Brick Lane
112
How many members had the National Front gained by 1976?
20,000 membersH
113
How many National Front candidates stood in the general election of February 1974?
90 candidates
114
Which leader of the Conservatives (in opposition)famously gave a TV interview on ITV in 1978 to attempt to 'allay peoples fears' regarding immigration?
Margaret Thatcher
115
What was the public response to Thatcher (as leader of the opposition) speaking out against immigration on national TV in 1978?
Broadly in support - conservatives opened up an 11-point lead in the opinion polls following it
- some criticised and say her words designed to appeal to racists
116
How many incidents of violence by the National Front toward Asians and Afro-Caribbeans were reported in East London between Jan 1976 and August 1978?
100 including 2 murders
- violent attacks on ethnic minorities were often dubbed by derogatory terms such as 'P***-bashing'
117
What was the name of the pressure group established in 1977 to oppose to combat the National Front?
The Anti-Nazi League
118
What was the name of the music event that formed in opposition towards guitarist Eric Clapton and his support for Enoch Powell?
Rock Against Racism
- It was headlined by the Clash
119
Out of 22,000 in the Metropolitan Police in 1976, how many came from a black or ethnic minority background?
70
- There was significant distrust regarding the police's treatment of ethnic minorities
120
At which annual event in London (1976) did a riot unfold, after young black people felt they were harassed unnecessarily by police, and over 300 people were injured?
Notting Hill Carnival
121
What was the name of the black teacher and Anti-Nazi League supporter who was killed by police at a demonstration in 1979?
Blair Peach
- He was struck on the head by a police truncheon
- Metropolitan Police eventually claimed responsibility in 2010
122
Which footballer became the first black player to be picked for the England National football team in 1978, showing some progress in race relations in pop culture?
Viv Anderson
123
What genre of music became increasingly popular in the 70s, originating from Jamaica?
Reggae and ska
124
What is multiculturalist policy (as first adopted by many local authorities during the 70s)
Policies that legislate and support the process of cultural diversity
125
In what setting was overt racism most common, with monkey noises chanted regularly?
Football Terraces
126
What was the name of the board that felt that no government had done enough to address issues of race relations by 1980
They issued this statement - 'Racial prejudice is still rife, and so is racial discrimination, while the response of the Government has been disappointingly inadequate.'
Commission for Racial Equality
127
What was the name of the nihilistic movement that began in 1975-76, reflected by the rise of British bands such as the Sex Pistols, The Clash and the Buzzcocks
The Punk movement
- it rejected the hippy culture that had preceded it
- reflected the social alienation many young people felt
128
What was the name of the famous Punk fashion boutique opened in Chelsea, London by famous fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, reflecting the popularity of the movement?
SEX
- stocked punk items such as safety pins and ripped t shirts
- the store was highly influential on the punk image as a whole
129
What anti-establishmentarian song, written by the Sex Pistols and condemned by the BBC, infamously reached number 2 in the charts during the year of the Queen's Silver Jubilee (1977)
'God save the Queen'
130
From which 1960s culture had 'skinheads' developed from?
Mod culture
131
What political party did skinheads become increasingly synonymous with by the end of the 1970s?
The National Front
132
What (often violent and racist) cultural groups from across the country became known as 'the English disease', by the end of the 1970s?
Football Hooligans
133
What technological development had a big impact on people's views of the environment and its fragility?
Pictures taken of the Earth from space
134
What new word entered the vocabulary of many environmentally conscious people during the 70s, defined as 'the health of the natural environment'
Ecology
135
What was the name of the environmental pressure group formed in 1969 in the US, expanding to include Britain, France and Sweden by 1971?
Friends of the Earth
136
A new form of anti-nuclear energy campaign arose during the 1970s due to concerns over what?
The dangers of dealing with radioactive nuclear waste and the potential for accidents
137
How many nuclear incidents had occurred at the Sellafield, Cumbria plant between 1957 and 1979?
5
- more concerns raised after a partial nuclear meltdown at a plant in New York in 1979
138
What radical environmental organisation was formed in the UK in 1977
Greenpeace
139
What discovery in 1975 prompted violent attacks on pharmaceutical laboratories?
Beagles were forced to smoke 30 cigarettes a day to study the effects on health
140
What was the name of the MOST violent environmental group, formed in 1976, who later famously sent a letter-bomb to Margaret Thatcher in 1984?
Animal Liberation Front
141
What was the name of the seminal programme, first aired in 1979 using colour photography, which gained massive TV audiences worldwide, raising appreciation for the natural environment and the need for conservation?
Life on Earth - David Attenborough
142
What 1972 book told the story of a group of rabbits forced to relocate due to road developments, eventually going on to be a bestseller, reflecting environmental interest in popular culture?
Watership Down
143
Which Party - advocating for a return to self-sufficiency and de-industrialisation - put up 53 candidates in the 1979 general election and made environmentalism a key topic on the political scene?
The Ecology Party
- Based on Teddy Goldsmiths 'A Blueprint for Survival' (1972)
144
How many times had Britain applied to join the EEC before finally being accepted in 1973?
Twice
145
What were the 2 key reasons that Britain were in a much more favourable position to join the EEC by 1973 than they had been before?
1. Heath replaced Wilson as PM and was pro-European
2. Pompidou replaced Charles de Gaulle, who was an Anglo-sceptic
146
Why was Ted Heath so passionately pro-European?
He visited Nazi Germany in the 1930s as a student and was appalled. He saw European co-operation as needed to prevent repetition
147
Why was Britain's negotiation with the EEC in 1973 so smooth?
Much of the detailed arrangements (and some exceptions) had already been agreed by negotiators in 1962
148
What were the 2 main concerns from some of the Conservative Party regarding EEC membership?
1. Could reduce ties with the Commonwealth
2. Could reduce sovereignty
149
Why did Enoch Powell accuse Ted Heathy of betraying the country?
As he signed the European bill before it had been debated in Parliament
150
Enoch Powell stood as a Conservative candidate in the February 1974 election. True or False?
False - he refused to stand and called upon his supporters to vote Labour
151
Labour were less divided than the Conservatives on the issue of Europe. True or False?
False - they were more divided
152
Which section of Labour support was hostile to EEC membership?
The Labour Left
- much of the more centrist Labour MPs (such as Roy Jenkins) were in favour of europe
153
Wilson was impartial on EEC membership, instead being more focused on ensuring what within his party of opposition?
Party Unity - however this was tough on an issue as divisive as Euroe
154
What was Labour's official stance on EEC membership once it came to Parliament?
They opposed it.
- BUT this wasn't due to the principal, as Labour had many pro-Europeans
- Instead, Wilson argued that the terms offered were not good enough
155
Much of the Labour party remained unsatisfied on Europe and Wilson was forced to make a promise to try and maintain party unity on the issue. What was this promise?
A re-negotiation and national referendum on EEC membership as and when Labour came back to power.
156
How did Labour MPs eventually vote in the House of Commons on the EEC, crucially helping the Conservatives to push on with membership?
69 Labour MPs rebelled against the Party stance of opposition and voted in favour of membership
- 20 more abstained from voting
157
How many countries were in the EEC by the time Britain joined in January 1973?
9
- Ireland and Denmark also joined at the same time
158
When Harold Wilson returned to government in 1974, his main aim was still Party Unity. True or False?
True
159
When was the European referendum eventually launched to the public under Harold Wilson?
1975
160
Harold Wilson forced anti-European colleagues to campaign with the Party stance in the European Referendum of 1975. True or False?
False - he allowed each to campaign based on their own views
- Wilson and Callaghan officially argued they were both neutral
161
What was the main reason that voter support for EEC membership was much stronger in 1975 than it had been in 1973?
Economic decline
- many felt Britain needed EEC membership to survive economically
162
Out of 419 company chairmen, how many wanted to leave the EEC, according to a 1975 survey?
4 out of 419
163
Who were the key political figures spearheading the 'Yes' campaign in the 1975 EEC referendum?
Most of Wilsons government (such as Roy Jenkins)
Heath and most senior and one nation conservatives
Liberal leader Jeremy Thorpe
164
What were the 2 main reasons people campaigned on the 'No' side during the 1975 EEC referendum?
1. Bad for British workers (Labour Left e.g Michael Foot)
2. Loss of British sovereignty and Independence (Far Right and Far Left e.g Enoch Powell + Tony Benn)
165
What were the results of the EEC referendum in July 1975?
17m (68%) voted YES
8m (32% voted NO
Britains membership was confirmed
166
Why was the referendum a triumph for Wilson, even though he remained neutral?
He had successfully avoided a Labour split
167
What is a European commissioner and which notable 'Yes' campaigner left Parliament to become one?
The equivalent of a minister at a European level, with each 'commissioner' appointed by national governments
Roy Jenkins left to become one
168
The Labour Party became increasingly pro-European after Roy Jenkins left to become a European commissioner. True or False
False - the Party became increasingly anti-European
However, the people of Britain had voted and so the issue was resolved for the time being
169
What proposal was made by Henry Kissinger, the US Secretary of State, to Ted Heath regarding trade and what was the outcome of this?
Kissinger suggested using Britain as 'go-between' with Europe for the US
- Heath insisted the US should negotiate with Europe directly
170
Who said 'he dealt with us with an un-sentimentality totally at variance with the "the special relationship"' in response to Heaths rejection of using Britain as a link to Europe for US purposes
Henry Kissinger, US secretary of State
171
Ted Heath didn't get on with Nixon and, similarly to Wilson, refrained his support for US policy in Vietnam. True or False?
False - Heath was personally close with Nixon and supported Vietnam
172
What was the Yom Kippur War?
A short war in October 1975 between Israel and an Arab coalition
173
Why was the Yom Kippur War linked to the Cold War?
The US supported Israel, whilst USSR backed the Arab states.
174
What did most European states (including Britain) refuse to permit the USA from using during the Yom Kippur War and why?
Refused to let the US use NATO airbases to transport supplies to Israel more effectively
- European states refused as they felt this may jeopardise oil supplies from the Middle East
175
What could the combined decision to refuse the US permission to use European air bases during the Yom Kippur War be considered the first example of?
Progress toward political unity, rather than just an economic 'common market'
176
What was the name of the name of the US-UK nuclear missile scheme, which Callaghan successfully negotiated with Kissinger in 1979, replacing the former 'Polaris' missiles?
Trident
- Callaghan forged a strong relationship with Kissinger under Jimmy Carters administration
177
What was the British withdrawal operation beginning in the 1960s, that was eventually completed in the late 1970s, despite US dissatisfaction?
Withdrawing British troops East of Suez
178
What central aspect of foreign policy were both the US and Britain in favour of during the 1970s?
Containing communism
179
Relationships with which 2 powerful world nations began to improve for the USA (and simultaneously Britain) during the 1970s?
USSR and China - the 2 strongest communist states
180
What word describes the easing of hostility between the US and USSR following the Cuban Missile Crisis
Détente
- both sides had meetings and eventually agreed to limit the build-up of arms
181
Where were the US and Britain most concerned about rising USSR influence during the 1970s?
Eastern Europe
182
What was the Markov affair?
Where Georgi Markov defected to the West in 1969, outwardly opposing the Bulgarian Communist regime, only to be assassinated in London in 1978
- Many suspected the Russian Secret Service (KGB) as accountable
183
With which Chinese leader did Richard Nixon meet with in 1972, symbolic of an easing of tensions between the US and China?
Mao Zedong
184
What was the name of the award given to Edward Heath by the Chinese government, after he made multiple diplomatic visits to China from 1974 onward?
'People's Friendship Envoy' - the highest honour given to a foreigner
185
Which Chinese leader symbolically visited the UK in 1979 as part of his European tour, becoming the first leader to do so since the Communist revolution?
Hua Guofeng
