4. Post-war Society (1945-1950s) Flashcards
What was significant about the 1945 general election in Britain?
The Labour Party won, forming its first majority government, with Clement Attlee as Prime Minister.
What were the five “giant evils” identified in the Beveridge Report?
Want, Disease, Ignorance, Squalor, Idleness.
Why did the Conservatives lose the 1945 election despite Churchill’s wartime leadership?
They lacked a clear post-war policy, were associated with pre-war hardships, and the public sought improvements in living conditions.
Who were key ministers in Attlee’s government?
Ernest Bevin (Foreign Secretary), Stafford Cripps (Chancellor of the Exchequer), Aneurin Bevan (Minister of Health).
What economic policy did the Labour government adopt after WWII?
Keynesianism, focusing on government intervention to maintain full employment and nationalization of key industries.
Name some industries nationalized by the Labour government.
Bank of England, Civil Aviation, Coal, Electricity, Gas, and the Steel industry.
What major healthcare legislation was introduced in 1946?
The National Health Service Act, which established universal free medical care.
What challenges did the Labour government face with the welfare state?
Rising administration costs, the need for charges in healthcare, and educational problems.
What was the significance of the Marshall Plan for Britain?
It provided $2.7 billion in American aid to help recover the British economy post-WWII.
What was the Labour Party’s stance on colonial policy post-WWII?
They began disengaging from the Empire, granting independence to India in 1947 and recognizing the importance of the Commonwealth.
What marked the beginning of the Cold War?
The establishment of pro-Soviet regimes in Eastern Europe and the Truman Doctrine in 1947, which was a response to Soviet expansion.
What was NATO and when was it established?
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, established in 1949, was a military alliance to counter the Soviet threat.
What led to the fall of Attlee’s government in 1951?
Economic challenges, internal divisions within the Labour Party, and the rising support for the Conservatives.
What was the outcome of the 1951 general election?
The Conservatives, led by Winston Churchill, won, marking a return to power after six years of Labour governance.
What was the 1948 creation of the state of Israel a result of?
The British withdrawal from Palestine after losing control of the region due to rising tensions between Jewish and Arab groups.
How did the US emerge post-WWII?
As a leading economic, political, and military power, using economic assistance as a strategic element of its foreign policy.
Who won the 1945 UK general election?
The Labour Party, forming the first majority Labour government with Clement Attlee as Prime Minister.
Why did the Conservatives lose the 1945 general election despite Churchill’s wartime leadership?
- Labour’s commitment to the Beveridge Report and the welfare state.
- Conservatives’ lack of post-war planning.
- Association of Conservatives with the depression and war hardships.
- Churchill’s focus on wartime leadership, not peacetime policies.
What was the Labour Party’s 1945 manifesto?
“Let Us Face the Future.”
Name three key ministers in Attlee’s government and their roles.
- Ernest Bevin: Foreign Secretary (1945–50)
- Stafford Cripps: Chancellor of the Exchequer (1947–50)
- Aneurin Bevan: Minister of Health (1945–50)
What economic theory influenced Labour’s domestic policies?
Keynesianism, which emphasized government intervention to maintain full employment and economic stability.
Which industries did Labour nationalize?
- Bank of England (1946)
- Coal, cable, and wireless (1946)
- Civil aviation (1946)
- Electricity, gas, and inland transport (1948)
- Iron and steel (1951)
What were the five key measures of the welfare state introduced by Attlee’s government?
- Family Allowances Act (1945)
- National Health Service Act (1946)
- National Insurance Act (1946)
- National Assistance Act (1948)
- Industrial Injuries Act (1946)
What was the significance of Clause 4 in Labour’s constitution?
It advocated for “the common ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange.”
What did the National Health Service Act of 1946 establish?
Universal free healthcare, including nationalized hospitals, free prescriptions, glasses, and dental care (initially).
What major geopolitical conflict began post-WWII?
The Cold War, an ideological conflict between communism and liberalism.
Why were charges introduced in the NHS in 1951?
To manage the high costs of providing free healthcare.
What was Britain’s role in the early Cold War?
- Allied with the USA against communism.
- Joined NATO (1949).
- Developed nuclear weapons (first detonation in 1952).
What event marked Britain’s reliance on the USA for defense?
The Berlin Blockade (1948–49).
What international organization allowed Britain to maintain ties with former colonies?
The Commonwealth.
When did Britain grant independence to India and Pakistan?
1947
What was Britain’s role in the establishment of Israel?
Withdrew from Palestine, leaving the matter to the United Nations, leading to the creation of Israel in 1948.
What issues led to Labour’s defeat in 1951?
- Divisions over state control.
- Economic crises from rearmament and welfare spending.
- Decline in middle-class support.
- Rationing and austerity measures.
Who succeeded Attlee as Prime Minister in 1951?
Winston Churchill.
What was the “post-war consensus”?
Agreement across political parties on the role of government in maintaining the welfare state and economic intervention.
What was Keynes’ warning about Britain’s post-war position?
Britain could no longer pretend to be a world leader, describing this as “a burden too heavy to carry.”
