#4.Conservative Domination 1951-64 Flashcards
how much was the conservative majority of 1951
majority of 26 seats
what were the labour weaknesses in the 1951 election
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
what were the conservative strengths
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
what were other factors influencing the 1951 election
growth of liberal party
USSR now considered an enemy
‘run out of steam’
how was the standard of living impacted under the conservative dominance
1950s- low unemployment only 500,000 out of work
level of real wages rose
44% of people homeowners in 1964
relaxation on renting
how was education impacted under conservative dominance
expansion of education
Butler act creates grammar schools
6,000 schools built
how were young people impacted under conservative dominance
introduction of mods and rockers
less respecting of old conservative leader
how did conservative economic policies match labour
Some British industry should be state owned
should not be cuts in welfare and health spending
it is important to maintain good employment
who made stop go economics
Butler
what were the strengths of stop go economics
high level of employment supported growth in welfare spending industry like aircraft expanded more credit available growth in industry growth of road transport
what are the weaknesses of stop go economics
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
what was Churchill like as peacetime Primeminister
wasn’t interested in leading as much and had a stroke in 1953 which was hidden
what caused eden to resign
1956 suez canal crisis
when was macmillan primeminister
1957-63
when was the profumo affair
1961
when was the night of the long knives
1962
what were the issues with douglas home
he was old and outdated. only in power from 1963-64
what was labour in disagreement over
the party principles
nationalisation
nuclear disarmament
foreign policy
what were the conflicts over party policy
1955 hugh gaitskell wants to modernise however nye Bevan wants the opposite
what were the disagreements over nationalisation
Bevan argued for clause IV.
major part of government was public ownership
what were the disagreements in foreign policy
Britains policy towards West Germany, which had been allowed to re arm and rejoin NATO. expelled in 1955
what were the issue of labour leaders
Clement Attlee in 1955 he seemed tired and unwell
Hugh gaitskell lead over a very divided party
other reasons for a conservative wins
labours negative attitudes towards the EEC
during the 1959 many of the liberal votes went to conservative party
why did labour win the 1964 election
younger and classless leader emerged
labour looked more to the future
divisions less obvious
