Britain- 1951-64

Question 1

Labour weaknesses?

Answer 1

• Labour not done well in election of 1950
• Party was associated with Austerity policy as it was forced to cut back on imported goods to maintain high taxation
• Korean War
• Defence spending led to cuts in NHS

Question 2

Conservative strengths?

Answer 2

• Compared with 1945, party had better local organisation
• Party united behind opposition to Labour nationalising iron and steel
• Promise to build 300,000 houses a year was popular
• Promised freedom from rations

Question 3

Social changes?

Answer 3

Standard of living- Unemployment rose however so did wages. More people able to afford own homes
Education- 6,000 more schools built and uni education was increased
Consumer boom- foreign holidays
Multi- cultural Britain- influx of immigrants had impact on Britain

Question 4

Conservative economic polices?

Answer 4

• R.A butler and Butskellism
• successes- house building, some industries expanded e.g. cars, motorway and new roads built
• Failures- rate of economic growth lagged behind other countries, share of world trade fell, failure to modernise traditional industries, management methods old- fashioned,Britain didn’t join EEC, suffered inflation, balance of payments deficit

Question 5

Conservative leadership?

Answer 5

WC- respected for knowledge of foreign affairs. Lacked energy
Eden- Suez crisis. Forced to withdraw forces and resigned in 1957
MacMillan- 1962 biggest sackings of cabinet, caused divisions within party. Retired in 1963
Home- complex economics and challenging foreign affairs