Britain 20- Britain by 1951 Flashcards
what year was the festival of britian and what was its purpose?
summer 1951, designed to cheer people up after post-war austerity, raise british morale and promote feeling of recovery
give an example of a centerpiece in the festival of britain
Dome of Discovery full of exhibits showing scientific progress like synthetic dyes
what aspects of the festival of Britain were meant for fun to take peoples minds off austerity?
pleasure gardens in Battersea park where visitors could sample American style rides like the sky wheel
was the festival of Britain successful?
despite criticism, was a success with the public and even generated a profit
what was the rationing situation by 1951?
-bread and potato rationing ended in 1948
-eggs and soap no longer restricted after 1950
-meat, cheese, fats, tea, sugar and sweets still rationed
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what were the negative aspects of the economy by 1951?
-another fuel shortage
-food import prices went up following another devaluation in 1949
-housing shortage remained severe
what was the govts estimate for the shortfall of houses?
shortfall of 700,000
who was In charge of housing post-war and what did he focus on?
Aneurin Bevan as minster of health. focussed on council house building and quality rather than quantity
how many council houses were built post-war and what features did they have?
807,000 with good sized gardens, 3 bedrooms and a bathroom bit there was not enough of them
what did Rowntrees survey show and what year?
1950, despite housing shortage and continuing austerity, far less marked poverty.
how were the Labour govt welfare reforms a success?
welfare reforms financed by high taxation helped the poorest part of the W-C and virtually reached full employment
who did division occur between in the Labour Party and why?
Morrison, who wanted to focus on consolidation for M-C support and Bevan, who wanted continued nationalisation + more fundamental reorganisation of society to appeal to W-C
why did Bevan also fall out with Hugh Gaitskell (COE)?
the ‘Bevanites; criticised charges for spectacles, dentals treatments + prescriptions introduced when defence expenditure increased due to Korean War
when did Bevan resign?
23rd April 1951
what name was given to Bevan’s opposition and what impact did it have In the 1950 election?
Bevanite rebellion disastrous as the Labour Party only had a majority of 5
what principles and methods of gaining support did the conservatives use by 1951?
-exploited labour setbacks and vigorously opposed nationalisation of steel and road haulage
-made clear their commitment to preserving NHS + other welfare reforms + most of nationalised industries
what did the conservatives pledge for housing?
pledged to build 300,000 houses per year and since housing shortage 1950-51, was an attractive policy
when did Labour rule end?
after the conservatives won a majority in the 1951 election
why was timing if the 1950 election a reason for loss of Labour support?
-although economy had improved greatly, full extent not realised so many voters still influenced by 1949 devaluation
-1951- economic situation faltering due to Korean War but if Attlee had waited longer then may have benefited from economic situation in 1952
how was Labour’s rule a reason for Labour’s loss of support?
-some voters had grown tired of govt controls, red tape and high taxation
-years of strict rationing and austerity made people feel it was time for a change
-conservatives used this promising more freedom
how were Labour’s leaders a reason for Labour’s loss in support?
-many were ill and exhausted
-Attlee, Morrison + Bevin had continued in govt since wartime under high pressure situations and were tired and under strain
how was the revival of the Conservative Party a reason for Labour’s loss in support?
-while labour had gained nearly 2 mill , conservatives had gained 4 mill
-conservatives also benefited from Liberal decision to put up only 109 candidates so ex-Liberal voters went largely to conservatives
