Britain 1930 - 1997

Question 1

Results of the 1951 election?

Answer 1

Conservative win. Labour won more of popular vote, but Conservatives won more seats.

Question 2

Labour weaknesses

Answer 2

exhausted post-war economic problems. Rationing and high taxation. Korean War unpopular, increased financial tensions. Divided, impose charges for dental treatment, prescriptions and glasses, undermined NHS free.

Question 3

Conservative strengths

Answer 3

defeat in 1945, re-organised advantage Labour’s difficulties. Lord Woolton reformed finances and local, young talented politicians Reginald Maudling new ideas and dynamic. Labour’s nationalisation of iron and steel industry controversial. Conservatives attractive, promised to build 300,000 houses a year, ‘more red meat’ not rationed. Not reverse Labour’s achievements committed to Welfare State. Winston Churchill still popular, war-hero thank him.

Question 4

Electoral system

Answer 4

British FPTP, Labour needed 2% more votes than Conservatives for same number of seats, boundary changes 1947 Rep of the People Act. Safe seats became marginals and increased number of votes could win in safe seats. Got votes in safe seats, Tories won many marginal Labour seats. Decline in Liberal Party fell 2.6 million in 1945 to over 700,000 in 1951. Ex-liberal voters turned Conservatives, won marginal seats.

Question 5

Why were the Conservatives able to dominate British politics?

Answer 5

Economy, rise in living standards, Conservative’s economic and social policy.

Question 6

Economy

Answer 6

Conservative fortunate economic growth, low industrial output after war. End of Korean War, countries had money to spend on goods. World trade share 25% to 15% due to defence expenses, 10% GDP. Didn’t aid industrial growth, limited it. Criticise failure to modernise industries, blamed consumerism, people spending money on goods not investing.

Question 7

Rise in Living Standards

Answer 7

wages rose faster than prices, people could buy more. 1951, average wage £8.30, 1964 £18.35. Chancellors cut income tax before 1955 and 1959 elections, ‘feel-good factor’. 500% increase in car ownership. Availability of credit, buy things out of reach. Tax cuts, consumer boom, foreign holidays for first time. Housing boom kept promise 300,000 homes per year, owned properties 25% before WW2, 44% in 1964.

Question 8

Conservative economic policy

Answer 8

Butler continued Labour increased borrowing, increased spending Welfare State. Inflation or deflation avoided interest rates and taxes to manage economy. “Stop-go”, changes in economy, not long-term plan to create growth. Government did not invest into industrial development, hindered growth compared to other countries.

Question 9

Conservative social policy

Answer 9

kept up with social changes, class distinctions increase welfare spending, and building more houses. Introduced education reforms, first comprehensive schools built. 6000 schools and 11 universities built.

Question 10

Conservative leaders

Answer 10

Winston Churchill won 1951 election. Anthony Eden won 1955 election. Harold Macmillan won 1959 election. Alec Douglas-Home lost 1964 election.

Question 11

Was Churchill anything more than a figurehead?

Answer 11

1951 Butler drove party, Churchill 77 came to power, thank you for war. Stroke 1953 not missed just figurehead, Butler ideas, mixed economy private state, appealed to centrists, responsible for modernising and helping Eden win 1955 election.

Question 12

Why was Eden’s administration short-lived?

Answer 12

Just after victory, Eden called election due to female appeal and work of Butler. Suez Crisis 1956, withdrawal seen as lack of will. Worldwide condemnation, no longer major power, Eden stood down ‘ill’. Lucky MacMillan had 4 years to recover.

Question 13

Does Macmillan deserve his name ‘Super Mac’?

Answer 13

Led Conservatives 1957-63, increased majority to 100 in 1959, despite Suez Crisis. Fortunate prosperity and affluence, personal appeal. TV appearances, ‘Never had it so good’. 1962, unemployment rising, and days lost to strikes, cabinet reshuffle sacked 7 ministers, Night of the Long Knives. Became ‘Mac the Knife’. Cold War, Britain no longer major power, entry to EEC vetoed by France, scandals Profumo Affair 1963. Ill and resigned.

Question 14

Why did Douglas-Home become Prime Minister?

Answer 14

Leadership appeared between Hailsham and Butler, but Macmillan advised Queen to invite Douglas-Home. Backed by old Etonian network. Resentment from Powell and others wouldn’t serve under him. Although popular, up against new Labour under Wilson.

Question 15

How was Labour divided over socialism?

Answer 15

Future of socialism divided party. Left (Bevanites) believed Welfare was start of road to true socialism. More state control of economy and society. Right (Gaitskellites) wanted more moderate reforms, policy should be decided by parliament not Unions.

Question 16

How was Labour divided over nuclear policy?

Answer 16

Left wanted unilateral nuclear disarmament, more money for social reforms. Right opposed, wanted Britain to maintain. Divisions came to head in 1960, left blocked union votes to pass nuclear policy, cast votes on behalf of unions. Within year, policy abandoned.

Question 17

Labour’s attitudes towards Europe

Answer 17

Atlee declared party opposed to Britain joining EEC, 1962 policy continued by Gaitskell, hardly gave appearance of modernisation and progression.

Question 18

How did the 1959 election weaken Labour’s position?

Answer 18

1955, Atlee appeared ill and tired compared to Eden. Following defeat, succeeded by Gaitskell, but died in 1963 so never PM. Labour had chance in 1959, after Suez Crisis, but made mistakes in campaign. Promised increase in pensions without rise in taxes, few answers of how to fund and not believed. Performance in 1959 election was poor.

Question 19

Why did support for the Conservatives decline?

Answer 19

Economy, EEC rejection, Night of the Long Knives, Scandals, Social tensions and riots, Youth sub-culture.

Question 20

Economy

Answer 20

1961 economy decreased, balance of trade deficit. Established NEDC, no impact. Unemployment rose and reached 800,000 by 1963, the North and Scotland suffered. Increase in days lost to strikes, docks. Compared to rest of Europe, Britain appeared to be lagging, due to faster growth rates.

Question 21

EEC rejection

Answer 21

Labour and Conservative initially opposed, but impact of Suez Crisis, loss of empire and damaged Anglo-American relations changed minds. Conservative, economic performance much better than Britain. De Gaulle reservations about Britain’s commitment to Europe and rejected application. Humiliating for Britain and revealed weakness.

Question 22

Night of the Long Knives

Answer 22

Macmillan’s cabinet appeared old. Some improved ratings after, but damaged unity of party. Macmillan never recovered authority, shown in opinion polls.

Question 23

Scandals

Answer 23

Vassall Affair - civil servant who spied for USSR, no evidence that he was protected, created distrust and showed government had no control over departments. The Philby Case - senior official Foreign Office and passed info to USSR, recruited spies for them. Fled to Russia 1963 to avoid arrest. The Argyll Divorce Case - Duke sued his wife divorce due to adultery. 88 names produced, included ministers. The Profumo Affair - Secretary of State for War had affair with Christine Keeler, linked to Russian embassy, raised security risks. Initial denial and later admission of lying to parliament raised doubts over Macmillan’s control.

Question 24

Social tensions and riots

Answer 24

1958, struggled to adapt to multi-racial society. After WW2, immigrants encouraged to fill Labour shortages. Tensions developed as they were blamed for housing and job shortages. Notting Hill, white youths tried to attack black properties. Salmon enquiry, trouble due to increased immigration not racism or discrimination. Limited number of immigrants with 1962 Commonwealth Immigration Act. Influx of immigrants as it passed, counterproductive.

Question 25

Youth sub-culture

Answer 25

Many benefitted, greater affluence and more money to spend on goods. Not all, missed out alienated and developed ‘sub-cultures’, resulted in emergence of anti-social behaviour. Fights between ‘Mods and Rockers’ summer of 1964. Lost respect for authority due to scandals, undermined the Conservative Party. Why did the Labour Party win the election in 1964? Harold Wilson’s leadership of the Labour Party, how the electorate regarded the Conservatives, the revival of the Liberal Party and hangs in British Society during the 1950’s.

Question 26

How did Harold Wilson’s leadership benefit Labour?

Answer 26

More united, divisions over nuclear weapons, Europe, Nationalisation not disappeared. Wilson represented party as modern, dynamic and progressive. Manifesto promised faster economic growth, improved welfare, housing healthcare and education. ‘Man of the people’, Yorkshire-born, educated football fan.

Question 27

How did the electorate regard the Conservatives?

Answer 27

Blamed them for economic issues in early 60s. Didn’t seem to have answers for growing unemployment, inflation and industrial unrest. Out-of-touch, due to Douglas-Home and sex scandals.

Question 28

How did the revival of the Liberal Party benefit Labour?

Answer 28

Conservative’s unpopularity benefitted Liberals, protest voters unwilling to vote Labour. Gained 3 more seats, doubled vote, taken off Tories. Helped Labour in seats like Dover and Bolton East.

Question 29

How did changes in British society benefit Labour?

Answer 29

Rise in living standards 1950s. More money to spend, increased independence and decreased conformity. Cultural changes, attitudes towards sex, aim to create classless Britain.

Question 30

Harold Wilson problems

Answer 30

Labour majority only 4 seats. Unfulfilled promises. Pressing foreign and colonial concerns. Senior government members talented but dislike each other. Economic situation serious.

Question 31

How did Wilson deal with small majority?

Answer 31

1966 election, majority of 96. Achievement and Wilson’s leadership paid off.

Question 32

How did Labour deal with their promises?

Answer 32

Reforms - Race Relations Act 1965, 1967 Abortion legalised, 1969 Voting age 21 to 18.

Question 33

How did Wilson deal with foreign and colonial issues?

Answer 33

Vietnam War - Wilson thought Britain depended on alliance with USA. 1965, supported USA in Vietnam. Rejected requests for British troops. 1966, against US bombing in Vietnam, irritated President Johnson. Common Market - Wilson wanted to persuade de Gaulle, so Britain could join EEC. Failed, VETO 1967. Maintained cabinet unity over Europe.

Question 34

Britain’s economic difficulties in 1960s

Answer 34

£800 million deficit. Believed due to Britain’s lack of competitiveness. Solved by producing goods better and cheaper than others. Improve efficiency, invest in new tech and machinery, and increase wages if more productive.

Question 35

Solutions

Answer 35

Deflation - tax rises, cuts in government expenditure, less money to consumers, decrease import bill. Devaluation - reduce value of pound, make British products cheaper, boost exports, relied on imports, increased cost of living.

Question 36

Why did Wilson initially rule out devaluation?

Answer 36

Believed would reduce savings of working-class families, wanted to defend. Aware devaluation destroyed Labour in 1931, damaged Atlee. Didn’t want to associate with ‘easy way out’. Small majority, need another election, devaluation impact this. C of E Callaghan deflation, higher taxes on alcohol and tobacco.

Question 37

National Plan

Answer 37

September 1956. Growth rate 3.5% per year. Exports increase 5.25% per year, eliminate balance of payments deficit. Treasury guarded role in economics, did not co-operate with DEA. National Plan undermined by Treasury deflation to solve economic problems.

Question 38

When was the pound devalued and why?

Answer 38

1967. Election Labour majority, but had to accept devaluing pound humiliation. Seamen strike, demanded unrealistic pay increases, damaged British exports, balance of payments deficit got worse. November pound devalued, $2.80 to $2.40.

Question 39

Was devaluation successful?

Answer 39

Trade figures didn’t improve balance of payments deficit. Roy Jenkins new chancellor, deflation still needed. Prescription charges reintroduced, taxation increased to £923 million 1968. 1969, improvement, balance of payments surplus, value of sterling rose.

Question 40

How successfully did the Labour government deal with trade unions?

Answer 40

1968, Wilson worried about press criticism. Asked Barbara Castle to reform industrial relations, 1969 proposed ‘In Place of Strife’. Legal right to join trade union, government ballot before strike if threat to national interests, union disputes referred to commission legally binding, financial penalties if commission not obeyed, workers unfairly dismissed compensation or jobs back. TUC and left-Labour outraged. 50+ Labour MPs rebelled when debated in HoC. Failure one of reasons for Labour downfall in 1970.

Question 41

Why did the Labour Party lose the 1970 Election?

Answer 41

Wilson complacency - opinion poll suggested Wilson ahead, 51% to 28% Heath. Too relaxed, poor trade figures before election. Disillusionment - Membership fell from 830,000 1964 to 680,000 1970. Government to right-wing in economic and foreign policies. In Place of Strife - suggested trade unions more powerful than government.

Question 42

Why did the Conservatives win the 1970 election?

Answer 42

Policy Proposals - reformed policy in years as opposition. Industrial Relations Law, reduce number of strike and pay settlements. Less state intervention in industry, no control of prices, apply to join EEC. Heath - attacked Labour’s economic record, inflation rose by 33% and unemployment by over 200,000. Press attributed Conservative win to Heath.

Question 43

How successful was Heath as Prime Minister?

Answer 43

Economic record - inherited inflation rate of 5%, 10% 4 years later. Employment no higher, number of days lost to strikes doubled. Inherited balance payment surplus, left deficit. Europe - Britain joined EEC 1st Jan. 1970, de Gaulle had left office, Pompidou not opposed to entry. Industrial Relations Act 1971 - legal right to join trade union, register with IRC, better protection. Like ‘In Place of Strife’, unpopular, TUC told unions to not register and defy IRC.

Question 44

How successful were industrial Relations under the Conservative government?

Answer 44

Heath less successful than Wilson managing industrial relations, increase of strikes partly due to Act, mainly response to inflation. Prices rose, workers wanted pay increase. Inflation bad in early 1970s, worldwide increase in prices, pound allowed to ‘float freely’, value determined by markers, floated down, imports more expensive.

Question 45

Why was the 1972 miners’ strike successful?

Answer 45

Sympathy for dangerous and poorly paid job, unrealistic demand for 47% pay increase. Jan 1972, 280,000 coal miner’s strike. State of emergency, power cuts. Feb allowed pay increase. Skilfully organised by Scargill, co-ordinated flying pickets, groups disrupted transport of coal by road. Government poorly organised to cope, severe winter had effect on energy supplies. Encouraged others to strike, added to inflation pressure, government looked weak compared to unions, emphasised failure of Industrial Relations Act.

Question 46

What was Heath’s U-turn and when was it?

Answer 46

1972. Began to reduce state intervention of industry and refusing to rescue failing business. Didn’t last long, 1971 aircraft Rolls Royce was nationalised facing bankruptcy, vital to Britain’s defence. Failed to agree with unions over wages, established policies 1972 to regulate prices and pay increase.

Question 47

What was the oil price shock and when was it?

Answer 47

1973. Middle East angry at Western support for Israel in war, cut back oil supplies and increased price. Britain reliant on oil, 50% of energy needs, impact on prices. Heath declared state of emergency, introduced 3-day working week to cut back on energy use. Called 1974 election, results unclear and Wilson came back into power.

Question 48

What problems did the Labour government face in coalition?

Answer 48

Minority Government. Trade Unions - demonstrate 1971 Industrial Relations Act unnecessary, Labour and TUC reached agreement, Social Contract. Did not solve economic difficulties, wage increases exceeded inflation rates. “The only give and take in the social contract was that the government gave, and the unions took”.