30s Politics Flashcards
1
Q
What was formed in 1931, as a result of MacDonald resigning?
Who led this initially? Why?
A
National Government
Led by MacDonald, recommended by King George V
2
Q
What were some problems the National Government faced?
A
- Unemployment was now 3 million
- Political extremism rose
- Abdication Crisis 1936
3
Q
What were some things that the National Government implemented?
A
- 1932 - Import Duties Bill (10% tariff on goods imported)
- 1931 - Household means testing - testing if state support was needed - seen as humiliating
- 1934 - 300k houses built
4
Q
Why was the National Government not what it set out to be?
A
National Government - equal divide in parties, where they put political differences aside
By 1933, the NG was 85% Conservative
5
Q
Name both examples of Political Extremism
A
British Union of Fascists
The Communist Party of Great Britain
6
Q
Give a BUF description, and why they failed
A
- Led by Oswald Mosely
- Racist and anti-Semitic
- 50k members in 30s
- Oct 1936 - Battle of Cable Street - BUF march through East London - turned very violent (East London was the home of many Jewish and Irish people)
- WWII made extremism in this form unpopular - associated with Nazism
- Mosely was imprisoned for 3 years
- BUF was banned
7
Q
Give a description of the Communist Party of GB
A
- Gained 1 MP (1924-35)
- British electorate rejected Communism - due to Russian Revolution etc
- Party tried to infiltrate Labour Party to steer them left
- Labour banned CPGB members from, joining Labour
- More successful than Mosely and the far right
8
Q
What was the Abdication Crisis, and when?
A
- Jan 1936 - King George V died
- Edward VIII became king
- Wished to marry Wallis Simpson (already had 2 divorces, and had American citizenship) - not good with British public
- Baldwin recommended to keep relationship private
- Dec 1936 - Marriage proposal broke out in British press - public were disapproving
- Dec 1936 - Edward VIII announced his abdication
- Married Mrs Simpson in June 1937
