51-63 Flashcards
Churchill, Eden, Macmillan
When was Churchill Prime Minister
1951-55
What was Churchill’s Leadership like?
- He spent his time meeting world leaders and on holiday instead of in Downing street.
- Due to Churchill often being absent, The other 3 below were able to gain experience. He did not break from the post war consensus, and often did not promote or engage with people
- Stroke in 1953 left him with a speech impediment.
When was Eden in power?
1955-1957
What was Eden’s rule like?
- He had initial success in 1955, increasing the conservative seats by 60
- his military intervention in the suez crisis of 1956 ended in tragedy, destroying whatever reputation he had left.
- The Suez Canal crisis led to the media + opposition telling people that he lied to the commons.
- This led to a rebellion by almost 40 conservative MPs. The “chief whip” edward Heath was opposed to Eden so he allowed it to happen.
When was Macmillan in power?
1957-63
What was the Macmillan era like?
- Came into power after eden stepped down due to ill health.
- Dubbed as “SuperMac”
- Macmillan appeared to be in full control of all affairs, leading to people giving him credit for all of the economic prosperity.
- He won an election in 1959, proving his popularity.
Who was R.A Butler?
- He wrote the education act in 1944, providing free secondary education for all citizens.
- Was influential from 1951-63
- Many in the party didnt like him as he was associated with appeasement.
Conservative domestic policy under churchill
- Promised to build 300,000 social housing / year in 1951
- Butler act in 1944 aligned with PWC, allowing children who did well in the 11+ to go to grammar schools or technological schools
- Those who did badly went to modern schools (many women went here).
- Social reform
- Clean air act 1956
- e.g Homicide act, 1957
Why was labour divided between 1951-63?
Bevanites vs Gaitskellites
* bevanites wanted to be more left wing, Gaitskellites were right wing.
Bevanites opposed:
* Prescription charges
* nuclear armament
* A move away from socialism.
Gaitskellites supported
* More right wing economics
* nuclear armement
Gaitskell beat Bevan in an internal party election in 1955
How can Labour divisions be proven?
- 1956: Frank cousins and the TGWU led a fierce opposition against gaitskell over nuclear weapons.
- 1959: Gaitskell attempts to reform the party, trying to abolish clause 4. This fails, leading to him backing down.
- 1960: At the Scarbourough conference, Gaitskell tries to convince labour to reject nuclear disarmament. He lost, and only succeeded in overturning the verdict in 1961.
Why did Labour lose the 1959 election?
- In 1951 labour had 14 million votes, most to date, and lost.
They lost the 1951 election because:
* Internal party divisions became apparent after Atlee’s death.
* The Conservatives had satisfied the nation through following the PWC.
This was a huge blow to the labour party as they were not expecting to be defeated.
Why did the Conservatives fall from power?
UNDER MACMILLAN:
* Britain applied to join the EEC in 61, rejected in 63.
* Macmillan appeared out of touch. Edwardian gentleman married into aristocracy
* “night of long knives” 1962.
Spy scandals
* 1961 george blake, a soviet spy
* 1962 John Vassal, blackmailed by the USSR to pass information.
* 1963: Profumo affair, Profumo lied to the PM in his personal assurances, denying the scandal.
Macmillan was also seriously ill, leading to him resigning in october 1963.
Economic developments from 1951-63
early 50s
* Rationing ended in 1954
* primary sector industries saw a fall in employment and secondary sector (engineering) saw a rise.
Late 50s:
* only 200,000 remained unemployed by 1955
* 1955: R.A Butler gave 134 million in tax cuts, people felt more wealthy
* 1/5 of the population employed in the service industry
* Imports increased by 29% from 1950-59.
UK’s growth rate still lagged behind, west germany france italy and the US.
problems with the economy (1951-56)
Balance of payments + Impact of Suez
- Increases in wages were outsripping the rate of increased production, causing a general price increase, Inflation
- Consisted of the implementation and removal of high interest rates and wage freezes, which prevented the a price-wage spiral.
Increased incomes led to increased imports, leading to X>M
The suez canal crisis of 1956 caused a run on the pound, leading to the pound devaluing against the dollar, damaging imports.
Economic problems 1956-1964
Despite the british economy peaking in 1960 and 64:
* 1961 The government introduced a pay pause and asked for an IMF loan to curb inflation
* In 1961 they applied to join the EEC and were rejected, a heavy blow to Macmillans economic plans.
* In 1963, beeching report closed 30% of the rail network, causing significant social change, as rural areas became more disconnected.
British growth increased from 4% in 1963 to 6% in 1964, after Maulding initiated a go phase.
By 1964, Imports remained 20% higher than exports, despite exports growing by 10% from 61-64.
