#4.Conservative Domination 1951-64

Question 1

how much was the conservative majority of 1951

Answer 1

majority of 26 seats

Question 2

what were the labour weaknesses in the 1951 election

Answer 2

loss of moral after the 50 election
associated with austerity
labour governments faced issues abroad in 1950
defence spending led to cuts in the NHS. charges for dental care etc

Question 3

what were the conservative strengths

Answer 3

compared with 1945 there was better organisation
unionised in stopping nationalisation
pledged to build 300,000 houses
conservative campaign promised freedom from rationing
Churchill was still an admired character

Question 4

what were other factors influencing the 1951 election

Answer 4

growth of liberal party
USSR now considered an enemy
‘run out of steam’

Question 5

how was the standard of living impacted under the conservative dominance

Answer 5

1950s- low unemployment only 500,000 out of work
level of real wages rose
44% of people homeowners in 1964
relaxation on renting

Question 6

how was education impacted under conservative dominance

Answer 6

expansion of education
Butler act creates grammar schools
6,000 schools built

Question 7

how were young people impacted under conservative dominance

Answer 7

introduction of mods and rockers

less respecting of old conservative leader

Question 8

how did conservative economic policies match labour

Answer 8

Some British industry should be state owned
should not be cuts in welfare and health spending
it is important to maintain good employment

Question 9

who made stop go economics

Answer 9

Butler

Question 10

what were the strengths of stop go economics

Answer 10

high level of employment
supported growth in welfare spending 
industry like aircraft expanded 
more credit available 
growth in industry 
growth of road transport

Question 11

what are the weaknesses of stop go economics

Answer 11

economic growth lagged behind Europe 
share of world trade reduced
lot of money in defence
failure to modernise 
Britain did not join the EEC
inflation 
1961-  the economy shows signs of weakness

Question 12

what was Churchill like as peacetime Primeminister

Answer 12

wasn’t interested in leading as much and had a stroke in 1953 which was hidden

Question 13

what caused eden to resign

Answer 13

1956 suez canal crisis

Question 14

when was macmillan primeminister

Answer 14

1957-63

Question 15

when was the profumo affair

Answer 15

1961

Question 16

when was the night of the long knives

Answer 16

1962

Question 17

what were the issues with douglas home

Answer 17

he was old and outdated. only in power from 1963-64

Question 18

what was labour in disagreement over

Answer 18

the party principles
nationalisation
nuclear disarmament
foreign policy

Question 19

what were the conflicts over party policy

Answer 19

1955 hugh gaitskell wants to modernise however nye Bevan wants the opposite

Question 20

what were the disagreements over nationalisation

Answer 20

Bevan argued for clause IV.

major part of government was public ownership

Question 21

what were the disagreements in foreign policy

Answer 21

Britains policy towards West Germany, which had been allowed to re arm and rejoin NATO. expelled in 1955

Question 22

what were the issue of labour leaders

Answer 22

Clement Attlee in 1955 he seemed tired and unwell

Hugh gaitskell lead over a very divided party

Question 23

other reasons for a conservative wins

Answer 23

labours negative attitudes towards the EEC

during the 1959 many of the liberal votes went to conservative party

Question 24

why did labour win the 1964 election

Answer 24

younger and classless leader emerged
labour looked more to the future
divisions less obvious