5. Affluence & Consensus (1951-1964) Flashcards
Who was the first Conservative Prime Minister in this conservative era (1951-1964)?
Winston Churchill (1951-1955)
Who were the Prime Ministers during the Conservative era from 1951 to 1964?
Churchill (1951-1955), Eden (1955-1957), Macmillan (1957-1963), Douglas-Home (1963-1964)
What was the political consensus in Britain after 1945?
An agreement between parties on welfare, full employment, and economic stability, influenced by the international situation.
Why did Conservatives continue with Labour’s reforms after winning in 1951?
Their narrow election victory made it safer to adopt moderate, popular policies.
What were Churchill’s main policies during his second term as Prime Minister (1951-1955)?
He maintained welfare, full employment, a mixed economy, and followed Keynesian economic policies.
Who was Labour’s left-wing leader who resigned over NHS charges in 1951?
Aneurin Bevan
What major international crisis defined Anthony Eden’s term as Prime Minister?
The Suez Crisis (1956)
Why did Britain and France intervene in the Suez Canal in 1956?
To regain control after Egypt nationalized the canal, a key asset shared by British and French stakeholders.
How did the U.S. respond to Britain and France’s Suez intervention?
The U.S. strongly disapproved and pressured Britain economically to withdraw.
What were the effects of the Suez Crisis on British power and Eden’s career?
Britain’s international influence declined, and Eden resigned, marking the end of his political career.
Who succeeded Eden and led Britain through a period of “affluence”?
Harold Macmillan (1957-1963)
What famous phrase did Macmillan say about Britain’s prosperity in 1957?
“Most of our people never had it so good.”
What internal conflict divided the Labour Party in the late 1950s?
Tensions between the revisionist right (Gaitskell) and socialist left (Bevan).
What event in 1962 showed a crisis in Conservative leadership under Macmillan?
“The Night of the Long Knives” – Macmillan’s dismissal of several ministers.
What scandal weakened public confidence in the Conservative government in the early 1960s?
The Profumo Affair, involving a British minister’s affair with a woman linked to Soviet intelligence.
What foreign policy effort did Macmillan pursue to reduce Cold War tensions?
The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963) promoting nuclear arms limitation.
What wave of change affected Britain’s global role in the early 1960s?
Decolonization, leading to the independence of several former colonies like Kenya and Uganda.
Who briefly replaced Macmillan as Prime Minister in 1963?
Sir Alec Douglas-Home
What significant social shift happened in Britain from 1951 to 1964?
Increasing immigration led to Britain becoming a more multi-racial society.
What immigration legislation was passed in 1962?
The Commonwealth Immigration Act, to control immigration.
What year did Elizabeth II become queen?
1952
What impact did the Suez Crisis have on Britain’s relationship with the U.S.?
It damaged Anglo-American relations, with the U.S. pressuring Britain economically.
What was the significance of the Commonwealth for Britain post-decolonization?
It became a cooperative link with former colonies, helping maintain British influence flexibly.
Which political party dominated between 1951-1964?
The Conservative Party.
