Britain 1970-1974 (KO) Flashcards
When did Heath win the election?
1970
When was the Industrial Relations Act?
1971
When does the UK formally enter the EEC
1973
When does Wilson beat Heath?
1974
How many seats did the Conservatives win in the 1970 election?
330
What was the three-day week? What were its impacts?
- Restrictive measures limiting people to electricity three days a week, interfering with industry.
- Reminder of the austerity of wartime, people sat without light and heating for long periods.
What allowed Britains 1973 EEC entry? What was Heaths reasoning?
- De Gaulle retiring
- The economic situation made it essential
What did Britain sign in 1972 to become a full member of the EEC?
The Treaty of Accession in 1972 - became full member in 1973
What was a weakness of Britain’s entry? Example?
- Due to late entry, it could not negotiate from a position of strength.
- The EEC demanded that commonwealth food and goods could not longer enter on preferential terms.
What caused the international oil price rise in 1973?
In the Arab-Israeli war in 1973, countries deemed to support Israel were restricted in the amount and price of oil, which was controlled by OPEC (middle eastern controllers of global oil)
What was the impact on the price of a barrel of oil of the international oil price rise 1973?
- prices of oil were increased from $2 to $35 per barrel.
What did the 1973 oil crisis do to British industry? Balance of payments deficit? Value of sterling? Unemployment doubles between?
- This caused rapid and severe inflation in industry, leading to severe recession.
- balance of payments deficit rises to £1 billion.
- 16% inflation
- value of sterling drops to $1.57
- unemployment doubled between 1974-6.
What was the idea of the ‘Selsdon man’?
- A symbolic anti-Keynesian, pro-market individual.
- Based on Heath having announced desire to break the post-war consensus on state intervention at Selsdon Park.
What was the reform of Local government under Heath?
- led by Peter Walker
- Sweeping reforms, reshaping the structure of local government and destroying historical administrative landmarks
- seen as an attack on local identity
What pushed Heath to his U-turn?
- Inflation had risen to 15% by the end of 1971
- Declining industrial output
What are examples of Heath’s U-turn?
- a return to controlling prices and incomes and reversing its approach to ‘lame ducks’.
- Rolls Royce and Upper Clyde Shipbuilders were both nationalised in 1971 and sustained by government grants.
What made it impossible to enforce the Industrial relations Act of 1971?
Unions refused to register - the government appeared incompetent.
How many days were lost to strikes in 1974?
14,750,000
What led Heath to impose the three-day week?
- Led by Arthur Scargill, the miners went on strikes in 1972 using flying pickets.
What was the wage increase the NUM gained after the strikes?
21%
What led to Heath calling an election on who run the country?
The NUM calling for another strike in 1974
What did the Industrial Relations Act of 1971 propose?
- market forces allowed to operate so trade unions don’t have unfair advantages.
- Restricted the right of workers to strike.
- National Industrial Relations Court created to judge validity of strike action.
- Unions required to go on government register.
Who was John Davis?
- The head of the new department of trade and industry (DTI).
- Encouraged giving market forces freer reign, against helping ‘lame ducks’.
Who was Anthony Barber? What were his early measures?
- The chancellor of the Exchequer
- Income tax cuts
- Reductions in government spending
- withdrawal of free milk for school children ‘Margaret Thatcher milk snatcher’
What were the reasons for Heath’s loss in February 1974?
- rapid inflation meant holding down prices was impossible.
- Strikes caused productivity decline.
- Unemployment at new peaks.
- Three-day week showed lack of control.
What was unemployment in 1974?
628,000
