Affluent Society 51-64 Flashcards
Which party was in office during AoA?
Conservatives
Which PMs were in office during AoA?
Churchill, Eden, Macmillan, Douglas-Home
Industrial production growth in UK, West Germany, and Japan from 1951-64
UK - 30%
West Germany -125%
Japan - 400%
What was the name for the economic pattern during AoA?
Stop-Go Economics
Describe stop-go cycle
1) Imports exceed exports
2) Controls - Freeze wages and increase interest
3) Decreased demand
4) Decreased output
5) Remove controls
6) Increased demand
7) Increased imports
Repeat
When did UK first test the atom bomb?
1952
When did UK first test the hydrogen bomb?
1957
What industries did the Conservatives privatise?
Steel and transport
When did rationing end?
1954
What were the Notting Hill riots?
An anti-immigration race riot in 1958
What was Blue Streak?
A British missile project aimed at creating an independent nuclear deterrent. Cancelled for being too costly.
When was National Service (conscription) ended?
1960
What was the EFTA?
European Free-Trade Association. A rival to the EEC formed by UK, Switzerland, Portugal, and Scandinavia as a less-intrusive alternative to the EEC. Didn’t really work.
Collapsed by the 70s, Britain left it for EEC in 1973
What was the ‘Winds of Change’ speech?
A speech given by Harold Macmillan in 1960 saying that the UK would not block colonial independence.
When did UK try to join the EEC?
61, 67 and 73
(Macmillan, Wilson and Heath)
What was the Night of the Long Knives?
A major cabinet shuffle, wherein 1/3 of the cabinet were replaced with newer, dynamic ministers.
Replaced chancellor Selwyn Lloyd with Reginald Maudling because of clashed between Macmillan and LLoyd.
Sacked 50% of junior ministers.
What were the anti-immigration acts?
Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962 - Only those with work permits allowed.
Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1968 - Only those with a work permits and a British parent or grandparent allowed.
Who was Enoch Powell?
Conservative politician, vehemently racist and fierce opponent of immigration. 75% of population agreed with him. Dismissed from shadow cabinet after Rivers of Blood speech.
What colonial rebellions took place during AoA?
Mau Mau Rebellion in Kenya
Malayan Emergency
Cyprus Emergency
What were Macmillan’s views on the EEC?
He supported it as a way to regain lost British power after decolonisation.
(NB these views were only adopted after 1960)
What were Heath’s views on the EEC?
Heath was a very strong supported of joining the EEC
What were Wilson’s views on the EEC?
He opposed it, as he thought handing over legislative rights to the EEC would hurt workers. (The left of labour agreed with this)
What is the ‘special relationship’?
The close alliance between the UK and USA
What were the three major sectors of foreign policy for the UK?
1) Colonies / Empire / Commonwealth
2) Europe
3) USA
Who was Rab Butler?
Very important minister under Conservatives (Chancellor, Home Sec, Foreign Sec, Deputy PM and more)
Rival to Anthony Eden
Cut taxes by £150m before election
Enacted progressive and influential Education Act
Leading figure in creating post-war consensus
Power-behind-throne under Churchill
Who was Harold Macmillan?
Very popular PM, SuperMac
United Conservatives while Labour was fracturing
300,000 houses built per year
One Nation Conservative
Helped recover US-UK relations after Suez
Leading figure of age of affluence
What was the Profumo Affair?
Macmillan’s Minister of War (John Profumo) had an affair with 19 year old model Christine Wheeler. Wheeler was also “involved” with a Soviet navy attaché. Hurt the reputation of Conservatives significantly and majorly contributed to Macmillan’s resignation.
Who was John Vassall?
Senior civil servant who was blackmailed by and gave documents to the Soviet Union, out of fear they would reveal is homosexuality.
What was Churchill’s nickname during his second term?
Absentee PM, due to his disregard for domestic policy and his hospitalisation preventing his from governing. Butler and Eden were his ‘regents’.
What were the pillars of the post-war consenus
1) Welfare state
2) Government intervention in economy
3) Strong unions
4) High taxes
5) Mixed economy
Why did Labour remain in opposition in AoA?
Affluence associated with Conservatives
Labour associated with rationing and devaluation
Labour was disunified
Labour’s ministers were ageing
Macmillan was very popular and witty
Conservative’s willingness to use leftist policies for common good
How much did wages rise during 13 wasted years?
72%
What was Macmillan’s opinions on decolonisation?
He fully supported it, especially after 1960
What elections took place in AoA?
51 (Chuchill v. Attlee)
55 (Eden v. Attlee)
59 (Macmillan v. Gaitskell)
64 (Wilson v. Douglas-Home)
Why did Thorneycroft resign as Chancellor
He wanted to implement a ‘stop’ phase, but Macmilland wanted a ‘go’ before ‘59 election
He didn’t appeal to Tory base supporters
Describe 1951 elections
Churchill v. Attlee
Conservatives won, despite not having plurality of vote
Conservative Strenths:
-More modernised party
-Willingness to accept Attlee’s popular reforms
-Korean War needed war-time leader like Churchill
Labour Weaknesses:
-Constituency boundary changes hury Labour
-Nationalisation went too far for many
-Abadan Oil Crisis
-Ageing and dying party
-Disunity
-Continued rationing
Describe 1955 elections
Eden v. Attlee
Conservative Strengths:
-Age of Affluence
-£135m in tax cuts
-Built 300,000 houses per year
Labour Weaknesses:
-Very divided party
Describe 1959 elections
Macmillan v. Gaitskell
Conservative Strengths:
-Macmillan’s popularity
-Trust in Tories (affluence)
-Recovered quickly from Eisenhower Recession (1958-9)
Labour Weaknesses:
-Labour seen as opposition, not govt material
Describe 1964 elections
Wilson v. Douglas-Home
Labour Strenghts
-Campaigned to end stop-go
-Seen as more modern
-Wilson was more charismatic and presented himself better on TV
Conservative Weaknesses
-Profumo and Vassall scandals
-Doulgas-Home was weak, uncharismatic, a peer and not voted in by Conservative Party
-Division in party (EEC)
-Ageing and out of touch
What were the UK’s foreign policy successes from 45-64?
Establishment of NATO, EFTA, arranging summits between USA and USSR, Test Ban Treaty 1963, joining UNSC, relatively peaceful decolonisation, Berlin Airlift, West German unification, Korean War
What were the UK’s foreign policy failures form 45-64?
Withdrawal from Palestine, messy decolonisation, nationalisation of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, Malay Emergency, Mau Mau, Suez Crisis
Which colonial conflicts was Britain involved in from 51-64?
Malayan Emergency (Malaysia)
Mau Mau Rebellion (Kenya)
Cyprus Emergency (Cyprus)
Why was Britain refused entry into the EEC?
De Gaulle was concerned about UK-USA relationship, dissapointed UK got American Polaris missiles, and France didn’t. UK abandoned France in Suez. He also felt that Britain was not able to compromise on status of some of its colonies and Commonwealth.
Basically De Gaulle vetoed it
What was Butskellism?
The consensus in economic policies between two leading political parties. Named after Tory chancellor Rab Butler and Labour leader Hugh Gaitskell
How many TVs were there in 1951 and 1964?
350,000 -> 13 million
In what ways was there was period of genuine affluence in Britain during AoA?
- Rise in real wages
- Rise in availability of credit
- 3m cars -> 7m cars
- 0.35m TVs to 13m TVs
- Working week was reduced from 48h to 42h
- Housing improved
What major industry grew during AoA?
Services
By how much did Britain’s share of global trade fall?
25% in 1950 -> 15% in 1962
What two events caused the pound to decrease in value in the 50s?
Attlee’s devaluation (49)
Run-on-the-pound after Suez (56)
When did Britain first ask the IMF for a loan?
1961
What was the Beeching Report?
Report into cutting government spending. Caused 30% reduction in railways.
What was the Festival of Britain?
A festival in 1951 to mark Britain’s recovery from WW2, showed off technology, industry and culture.
What percentage of women were married in the 50s?
75% of women
What subcultures developed in AoA?
Mods - Suits, motor scooters, jazz, ‘sophistication’
Rockers - Anti-establishment, leather jackets, greasers, rock and roll
Teddy Boys - Edwardian, suits, cigarettes, rock and roll
Consequences of Suez
Anthony Eden’s resignation in January 1957
Worse relations with USA, Arabs and France
Colonial Minister Anthony Nutting resigning
Showed UK could no longer conduct an independent foreign policy
Overthrowing of the Anglophilic Iraqi King Faisal, losing us an ally
Fuel rationing across Europe (80% of European oil went through Suez)
Hastened decolonisation
Why did the US push so hard to get UK out of Suez?
70% of NATO’s oil imports went through Suez, interruptions could hurt NATO badly. Invasion led to fuel rationing in Europe.
Arguments in favour for retention of empire
-Natural resources
-Prestige
-Military bases and military influence
-Idea of UK becoming 3rd power in Cold War
-Public were pro-empire
Argument against the retention of the empire
-Hurt reputation
-Ethical concerns
-Growing calls for independence
-Colonisation causes communism (Vietnam, Malaysia etc)
-Reward for helping in WW2
What was the Beveridge Report?
A report into areas of social and economic dysfunction, basis of Labour policy during P-W C
What were the divisions in Labour about in the 50s?
Left of party against the right of the party
Left rallied under Nye Bevan
Right rallied under Hugh Gaitskell
Why did Labour remian in opposition during AoA?
- Affluence associated with Conservatives
- Disunity (Bevanites v. Gaitskellites)
- Macmillan’s popularity
- Labour associated with rationing
- Ageing Labour MPs
In what ways was Macmillan’s cabinet seen as upper-class?
A duke, the heir to a barony, a marquess and three earls
What was the establishment?
Upper-class echelons of society, ‘knew the right people’, often Oxbridge, well-connected elites
What were the racist elections?
1964 election in Birmingham (esp Smethwick), campaigned on openly racist policies, branch of KKK sprang up, Enoch Powell
“if you want a nigger for a neighbour, vote Labour”
What was the catalyst for second-wave feminism?
The Feminine Mystique’s publishing by Betty Friedan (1963)
Key domestic holiday destinations
Skegness, Blackpool, Butlins and Brighton
Increase in domestic holidays under Churchill
27m in 1951 -> 34m in 1955
Increase in foreign holidays under Churchill
2m in 1951 -> 4m in 1955
What percentage of household owned TVs?
74% by 1961
When did HMS Windrush land in Britain
1948
How many came from the New Commonwealth to Britain in the 50s?
200,000
Satirical magazine
Private Eye 1961
Satirical TV show
That Was The Week That Was 1962
Which industries achieved equal pay?
Teaching and the Civil Service by 1960
Worker deficit by late 1950s
1.5m
Difference between Bevanites and Gaitskellites
Europe:
B against, G for
Nukes:
B against, G for
Clause IV:
B for, G against
Unions:
B strengthened, G curbed
When did the UK first attempt to join the EEC?
1961, De Gaulle vetoed this
What was wrong with stop-go economics?
No long-term strategy
Caused stagflation
Discouraged investment due to volatility of interest rates
Wage increase during the Age of Affluence?
Average male workers:
£8.30 -> £18.35
Average defence budget under the Tories
10%
Highest unemployment level under Tories
878,000 in 1963
Rise in consumer spending from 1945-64
45%
Lowest unemployment level under Tories
300,000
Work week cut
48h -> 42h
How much did Rab Butler cut the taxes in his ‘give away’ budget of 1955?
£145m
How much did the Tories cut tax by before the 1959 election?
£370m
What year did ITV launch
1955
How much did real wages rise by during the Age of Affluence
20%
Number of tax cuts under the Tories
5
What did Churchill descirbe the H Bomb as
“The price we pay to sit at the top table”
What was Operation ROBOT
A plan by Rab Butler to take the pound of the fixed rate Bretton Woods system. This would have seen a scaling back of overseas military commitments, austerity and short-term unemployment. Would boost exports drastically, depreciate the pound and fix the poor balance of trade and hemorrhaging of reserves. Rejected by cabinet. Rare example of radicalism during AoA.
What was the name of the most expensive military garrison
British Army of the Rhine
Reactionary Home Secretary
Lord Fyfe (Churchill’s HS). Fought a campaign against homosexuality, 850% increase in prosecutions for homosexuality 1938-55. Arrested Lord Montagu for it.
How many people had a right to move to the UK in the 50s
1/4 of the world
De Gaulle quote on what he feared the fate of a Europe with Britain in it would lead to
Europe being “drowned in the Atlantic” (ie American influence in Europe)
Macmillan quote on Lord Home
“a man who represnts the old, governing class”
Bevanite Rebellion
In 1951, Nye Bevan protested against the introduction of prescription charges on the NHS. Nye Bevan and Harold Macmillan resigned in protest.
What document declared that the Conservatives had modernised and had accepted the welfare state
The Industial Charter
What was the Treaty of Rome?
Founding document of the EEC in 1957. UK missed out on it as it was more concerned with the Commonwealth than Europe before 1960.
How many British soldiers fought in Korea?
56,000
Aldermaston Marches
Series of anti-nuclear CND marches throughout the 50s and 60s each Easter outside Aldermaston.
Decolonisation timeline 51-64
1952: Mau Mau Rebellion breaks out
1957: Ghana
1960: Winds of Change Speech
1961: Nigeria
1963: Kenya
Which Tory PM promoted nuclear de-escalation?
Harold Macmillan in the 1963 Test Ban Treaty
Monetary consequences of Suez
Gold reserves down £100m
Dollar reserves down £561m
Run on the pound
How did growth compare during the AoA compared to the earlier 20th century?
Economy grew faster in 1900-39
What was the Liberal Revival
During 50s, the Liberals were essentially irrelevant, averaging around 2.5% of the vote. Under the leadership of Jo Grimond they saw a revival
Examples of new cities during this era
Harlow and Kirkby
What signs were there that Britain was shifting to a car-owning country
Beeching Report
Construction of the M1 (first motorway) in 1959
How many miles of roads were built under Macmillan
1,200
What was the tripartite system?
Education system established by the Butler Act. Created grammar schools (30%), secondary moderns (60%) and technicals (10%)
What showed the rise of anti-establishment culture in the 50s?
Breakdown of old social norms
Suez Crisis exposed government lying
Rise of the CND
Sub-cultures such as Mods and Rockers were violent and anti-establishment
Where did the Mods and Rockers clash?
Brighton and Margate
When did Empire Day stop being celebrated?
1958
.
.
What did the Ministry of Labour call West Indians?
“surplus”, “lazy” and “unreliable”
How did the New Statesman describe the AoA?
“Cynical, flashy and selfish, the decade made the rich richer and the poor poorer”
Which think tank founder pioneered New Right politics in AoA?
Anthony Fisher and his Institute of Economic Affairs
