Britain - John Major

Question 1

What was the initial economic problem faced by John Major?

Answer 1

Recession characterized by high inflation, unemployment, and collapsing businesses.

Question 2

What was John Major’s initial solution to the economic recession?

Answer 2

Remained in the ERM (Exchange Rate Mechanism) initially but withdrew after Black Wednesday (1992).

Question 3

What was the short-term effectiveness of Major’s economic solution?

Answer 3

High unemployment (11%) and businesses collapsed.

Question 4

What was the long-term effectiveness of Major’s economic policies by 1995?

Answer 4

Inflation was <2%, and Britain’s growth outperformed European partners.

Question 5

What political problem involved violence in Northern Ireland during Major’s tenure?

Answer 5

The Troubles, specifically IRA violence.

Question 6

What solution did John Major propose to address the political problem in Northern Ireland?

Answer 6

1993 Downing Street Declaration promoting peace through democracy.

Question 7

What was the effectiveness of Major’s political solution regarding Northern Ireland?

Answer 7

Led to a temporary IRA ceasefire (1994), but violence resumed later.

Question 8

What political scandal weakened Major’s government credibility?

Answer 8

Sleaze and scandals involving government figures.

Question 9

What was the effectiveness of Major’s handling of scandals?

Answer 9

Damaged government reputation, contributing to Conservative defeat in 1997 election.

Question 10

What social issue did Major face related to youth?

Answer 10

Youth discontent and rising crime.

Question 11

What solution did Major implement to address youth crime?

Answer 11

Criminal Justice and Public Order Act (1994) giving police more powers.

Question 12

What was the effectiveness of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act?

Answer 12

Alienated youth culture and crime continued to rise.

Question 13

What social issue did Major address regarding the monarchy?

Answer 13

Public disillusionment with the monarchy.

Question 14

What actions did the Queen take to address public disillusionment?

Answer 14

Started paying taxes (1992) and decommissioned the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Question 15

What was the impact of the Queen’s actions on anti-monarchy sentiment?

Answer 15

Limited impact; anti-monarchy sentiment persisted.

Question 16

What was the problem faced in the coal industry during Major’s leadership?

Answer 16

Decline of the coal industry.

Question 17

What solution did Major implement for the coal industry?

Answer 17

Shut unprofitable pits and privatized the rest.

Question 18

How many miners lost jobs due to coal industry policies?

Answer 18

31,000 miners lost jobs.

Question 19

What was the response to the Mad Cow Disease (BSE) crisis?

Answer 19

Nationwide cattle cull of 4.4 million cows.

Question 20

What was the effectiveness of the UK response to the BSE crisis?

Answer 20

Led to an EU ban on British beef (1996-2006), damaging the farming industry.

Question 21

What measures were taken to improve women’s rights during Major’s tenure?

Answer 21

Legalized marital rape (1994) and established the Child Support Agency (1993).

Question 22

What was the impact of Major’s policies on women’s workforce participation?

Answer 22

More women in the workforce (50% by 1996), but gender inequality remained.

Question 23

What foreign policy problem did Major face related to Iraq?

Answer 23

Iraq invaded Kuwait (1990-91).

Question 24

What was Major’s solution to the Iraq invasion of Kuwait?

Answer 24

Operation Desert Storm in collaboration with the U.S.

Question 25

What was the effectiveness of Major's foreign policy regarding Iraq?

Answer 25

Successfully upheld international law, but Saddam remained in power, leading to more instability.

Question 26

What foreign policy action did the UK take during the Bosnian War?

Answer 26

Joined NATO airstrikes against Serbian forces in 1995.

Question 27

What was the outcome of the UK involvement in the Bosnian War?

Answer 27

Forced peace talks leading to the Dayton Agreement (1995).

Question 28

What was a criticism of the UK's response during the Bosnian War?

Answer 28

UK’s slow response was criticized.

Question 29

What was the challenge John Major faced regarding the Maastricht Treaty?

Answer 29

Faced resistance from his own party.

Question 30

What was the consequence of Major's struggle to pass the Maastricht Treaty?

Answer 30

Increased Conservative divisions and fueled anti-EU sentiment.

Question 31

What was the overall effectiveness of Major's economic policies?

Answer 31

Short-term struggle, long-term recovery.

Question 32

What was the overall effectiveness of Major's political strategies?

Answer 32

Some success in Northern Ireland, but scandals weakened credibility.

Question 33

What was the overall effectiveness of Major's social policies?

Answer 33

Mixed outcomes with some progressive policies but continued unrest.

Question 34

What was the overall effectiveness of Major's foreign affairs?

Answer 34

Generally strong on international matters, but divisions over Europe remained.

Question 35

What did the Maastricht Treaty of 1992 create?

Answer 35

The European Union (EU) and laid the groundwork for the single currency (Euro) ## Footnote Major negotiated opt-outs from the Euro and the Social Chapter.

Question 36

What was a major outcome of the Maastricht Treaty for John Major?

Answer 36

A major victory in European negotiations but created deep divisions within the Conservative Party.

Question 37

How did the Maastricht Treaty impact John Major's leadership?

Answer 37

His leadership was undermined by Eurosceptic rebels, leading to backbench revolts and weakened authority.

Question 38

What was the aim of the Citizen’s Charter of 1991?

Answer 38

Improving public services by increasing accountability and giving people the right to complain about poor service.

Question 39

What was the public perception of the Citizen’s Charter?

Answer 39

Often seen as ineffective and mocked as a 'gimmick'.

Question 40

What did the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act of 1994 do?

Answer 40

Strengthened police powers, restricted the right to silence, and criminalized 'raves'.

Question 41

Who supported the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act of 1994?

Answer 41

Law-and-order conservatives.

Question 42

What was the outcome of the National Lottery Act of 1993?

Answer 42

Established the National Lottery, generating billions in revenue.

Question 43

What was the impact of the National Lottery Act on Major's public image?

Answer 43

One of the few well-received policies, but did not significantly improve his public image.

Question 44

What did the Education Act of 1993 introduce?

Answer 44

Allowed schools more autonomy and introduced performance league tables.

Question 45

What was a criticism of the Education Act of 1993?

Answer 45

Led to complaints of 'teaching to the test'.

Question 46

What did the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act of 1994 encourage?

Answer 46

Reduced business regulations and encouraged outsourcing public sector jobs.

Question 47

What was a consequence of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act of 1994?

Answer 47

Contributed to concerns about job insecurity.

Question 48

What significant event occurred in April 1992 during Major's term?

Answer 48

Major’s Conservatives lost by a massive margin to Tony Blair’s New Labour.

Question 49

What was the outcome of Black Wednesday in September 1992?

Answer 49

The pound crashed, costing the UK billions and destroying public trust in Conservative economic management.

Question 50

What was the impact of Black Wednesday on Major's premiership?

Answer 50

Shattered his economic credibility and elevated Labour's status as the more competent party.

Question 51

What happened during the leadership challenge in 1995?

Answer 51

Major resigned as Conservative leader and won a leadership contest against John Redwood.

Question 52

What was the outcome of the May 1997 election?

Answer 52

Major’s Conservatives lost by a massive margin, marking the end of his political career.

Question 53

What was the Back to Basics Campaign of 1993 aimed at?

Answer 53

Restoring traditional values and focusing on personal responsibility.

Question 54

What undermined the Back to Basics Campaign?

Answer 54

Scandals involving Conservative MPs.

Question 55

What significant achievement is attributed to Major in Northern Ireland?

Answer 55

Helped initiate talks that laid the foundation for the later Good Friday Agreement.

Question 56

What was the outcome of the privatization of railways in the mid-1990s?

Answer 56

Led to rising ticket prices and concerns about service quality.

Question 57

What was a notable economic recovery after Black Wednesday?

Answer 57

Lower inflation and falling unemployment.

Question 58

What contributed to increasing Euroscepticism during Major's term?

Answer 58

Growing anti-EU sentiment fueled by the Maastricht Treaty.

Question 59

What was a significant struggle for Major regarding party divisions?

Answer 59

Deeply split over Europe, leading to embarrassing parliamentary defeats.

Question 60

What were the sleaze scandals of the Tories?

Answer 60

Involvement of Tory MPs in financial and personal scandals.

Question 61

What was the impact of Labour's rise with new leadership under Tony Blair?

Answer 61

Labour became more appealing to middle-class voters and was seen as a fresh alternative.

Question 62

What characterized John Major’s time as Prime Minister?

Answer 62

Economic failure, party infighting, and scandals.

Question 63

Fill in the blank: Major's leadership was too weak to overcome the damage from _______.

Answer 63

years of mismanagement.