Britain Decline Flashcards
When was Wilson’s first gov?
1964-70
When was Heaths gov?
1970-1974
When was Wilson’s 2nd gov?
1974-79
What are the 4 factors?
Social conditions
Industrial relations
Political
Economy
Explain the social conditions for Wilson 1964-70
Does this show decline?
Social reforms eg. Race relations Act 1965 and 1968
Made discrimination illegal in public, housing and employment
Shows it was not in decline Welcoming change but hard to enforce
Explain the social conditions for Heath
Was this in decline?
State of emergency to save power, 3 day week, 50mph limit, blackouts and TV curve at 10:30
Unpopular with public
Yes shows decline
Explain the social conditions for Wilson 1974-79?
Was this in decline?
Winter of discontent 1978/79
Crisis, mass strikes, petrol shortage etc
Yes shows decline as society on verge of collapse
Explain the industrial relations of Wilson 1964-70
Was this in decline?
Failed proposal of in place of strife
As ahve more power to gov than unions
- unpopular
- 50 mps rebelled
Yes shows decline
Explain the industrial relations of heath
Does this show decline
Industrial relations act 1971
Eg. Workers have legal right to join union
Yes shows decline as unpopular with unions as gov have more power and days lost to strikes increased
Explain the industrial relations of Wilson 1974-79
Does this show decline?
Social contract 1973
Limits pay increases and improved workers rights
Partially shows decline as days lost to strike decreased but this was broken in 1978 due to winter of discontent
Explain the political examples of Wilson 1964-70
Does this show decline?
Disillusionment of Labour supporters
Eg. Membership fell by 150,000 in 6 years as too right wing
Lost a large proportion of its followers
Yes shows decline
Explain the political examples of Heath
Does this show decline
Britain joined EEC through French approval of Pompidou and parliamentary approval with support of Labour rebels led by Roy Jenkin
No this doesn’t show decline as it was a success but received opposition from party
Explain the political examples of Wilson 1974-79 X2
Does this show decline?
EEC referendum 1975
(Wilson allows free vote about joining EEC)
This does not show decline as it smooths over the cracks in the party temporarily
The Lib lab pact 1977-78 where 13 liberals helped Labour pass legislation
This does show decline as they leave due to winter of discontent
Explain the economic examples of Wilson 1964-70 X2
Does this show decline?
Devaluation 1967
Yes decline as deeply unpopular and created mistrust in economy
£31million BoP deficit
Yes decline as unpopular and it lost faith in the gov that they’d be able to help economy and lost them support
Explain the economic examples of
Wilson
Does this show decline?
Budget of 1971 (tax cuts)
No doesn’t show decline as it helped stimulate the economy
HOWEVER some cuts unpopular eg.end of free school milk
Explain the economic examples of Wilson 1974-79 X2
Does this show decline?
Stagflation (inflation ^ 25% and low growth)
Yes shower decline as there was high unemployment as well as low exports and a verge recession f bankruptcy
IMF loan $3.9billion 1976
Doesn’t show decline as it preserves the economy HOWEVER alienates the Union/left wing
