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.
