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Britain Period Study Flashcards

1
Q

when was churchill Pm 2nd time

A

1951-55

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2
Q

when was anthony eden PM

A

1955-1957

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3
Q

When was harold macmillan PM

A

1957-1963

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4
Q

when was douglas home PM

A

1963-64

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5
Q

When was rationing ended-

A

1954

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6
Q

What is GDP

A

gross domestic product: The total value of goods produced and services provided in a country
-Increases majorly by 1954 but not as good as other countries

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7
Q

two main factors in rising of living standards CD

A

-wages rose faster than prices
-Cutting income tax before elections- increasing money people had to spend, car and tv ownership increased

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8
Q

what is credit and how did it help? CD

A

-People were able to borrow money and make small monthly repayments
-There by able to buy things they previously couldnt, alongside tax cuts there was a cosumer boom, people going abroad for the first time

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9
Q

how many houses built over time in office CD

A

1.7 million

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10
Q

How did housing improve under CD

A

-more houses built
-new homes + 1957 rent act meant waiting lists for housing declines
-Rent act, made more housing available to rent, abolishing rent controls
-more people owning property 25% up to 44% in 1964

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11
Q

what did macmillan say

A

our people never had it so good

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12
Q

what was the economic policy during CD

A

increased broowing allowed more gov spending on things like:
-health
-education
-housing
-the welfare sate

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13
Q

What is butskellism

A

combine policies of Butler and Hugh gaitskell
-Both favoured a mixed econoy and a welfare state and full employment
-Approach continued under macmillan to avoid inflation and deflation

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14
Q

What is inflation

A

a general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money

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15
Q

what is deflation

A

Reduction of the general level of prices in an economy

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16
Q

What is stagflation

A

where industrial output decline as well as employment but inflation remained

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17
Q

Stop go econonomics under CD, what is it?

A

Government simply responded to economic developments rather than developing a strategy that created consistent growth

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18
Q

What policied during CD helped economic growth?

A

-credit and housing improbving living standards
-Also natural recovery from WW2 and korean war and the move from a period of austerity contributed to economic recovery

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19
Q

where were the policies that hindered economic growth CD

A

-industry
-trade

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20
Q

unemployment under macmillan

A

-never able to get figure below 250,000
-Questioned whether it was a time of prospherity

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21
Q

what was the argument against the rise in living standards CD

A

-The success of the gov was built on heavy gov borrowing and consumer credit which was economically dangerous
-Argued that the policies hindered growth and prevented securing a strong economic base

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22
Q

How important was social policy CD

A

-war brought about massive change
-conservatives needed to adapt after 1945
-class divisions weakened
-this was reinforced by welfare state and growing affluence

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23
Q

what did CD change in education

A

-more comprehensive schools
-Showed they were willing to change
-Expanded unis and provided bigger grants

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24
Q

What was the homocide act

A

-1957, accelerated process of ending death penalty

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25
Q

was CD better or worse than labour?

A

-conservative achievements seemed limited in comparison, despite huge improvement in housing

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26
Q

key events during churchill 1951-55

A

-ended rationing, 1954
-Butskellism
-increased GDP

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27
Q

Successes during churchill

A

-him and butler helped rebuild party
-Butler helped modernize the party

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28
Q

failures during churchill

A

-not really in control, butler mainly drove
-churchill just a figurehead
-old fashioned and old

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29
Q

Key events during anthony eden

A

Suez crisis 1956

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30
Q

Successes during anthony eden

A

-helped increase conservative majority due to personal appeal (especially women)
-also butler

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31
Q

failures during anthony eden

A

-Decision to withdraw in suez showed lack of political will
-Country no longer a major power

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32
Q

Key events during macmillan

A

-Homocide act 1957
-Rent act 1967
-Appearance of changing attitudes

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33
Q

Successes during macmillan

A

-much support, especially from TV appearances

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34
Q

Failures during macmillan

A

-importing more than they were exporting
-unemployment rising, days lost to strikes
-1962 night of long knives
-conservative popularity fell
-scandals damaged foreign affiars and party image
-developments in cold war showed lack of GB power

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35
Q

what was the profumo affair

A

john profumo (defence secretary) had an affair with christine keeler, who turned out to also be sleeping with a russian spy. people thought details may have been compromised

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36
Q

Failures of douglas home

A

-wasnt elected, chosen by old by network
-clear sign conservative image hadnt changed
-out of touch with public
-Faced youthful new labour party
-Resentment amongst party members

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37
Q

What was the suez crisis

A

-president abdul nasser nationalized the suez canal which had been previously run by the french and british
-canal was vital in tansporting oil and the britisb economy was highly reliant on it
-nasser said he would reimburse share holders and france
-Israel become involved after pact with france
-Lester pearson created international peace keeping forces and drove israel, france and Uk out of their false peace keeping in egypt

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38
Q

Why were labour party weak during CD

A

-internally divided
-split between gaitskell and bevan supporters

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39
Q

What did bevan and the left want CD

A

-socialism
-nationalism
-supporters called fundamentalists
-wanted to maintain traditional principles of the party
-far more state control of economy and society
-left should have more say in party policies
-nuclear disarmamnet
-wasnt as raditcal about unilateralism but still like idea of it

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40
Q

What did gaiskell and the right want

A

-supporters called revolutionists
-wanted to odernise party
-focus on social equality rather than economic change
-maintain britains nuclear detterent

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41
Q

What couldnt gaitskell do

A

-unite the party
-people unsure whether they wanted to move further right or left and he couldnt resolve this

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42
Q

what happened to bevan

A

he was expelled from party for challenging its policies

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43
Q

When did gaitskell take over from bevan and what did it mean

A

1955
-gave the go ahead for a more centralist direction

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44
Q

Why did support for conservatives decline CD

A

-scandals
-economy declining
-EEC
-leadership not seen as strong

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45
Q

What was bad about the economy CD

A

-built on credit and borrowing
-dropping taxes to increase votes before elections
–not sustainable
-old fashioned
-unemployment rising
-compared to europe they were lagging behind

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46
Q

What is the EEC

A

European economic community
-custom unions (no border checks)
-common marked (same rules)
made trade easier

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47
Q

What was the night of long knives 1962

A

-name given to the cabinet shuffle under ‘mac the knife’
-wanted more youth
-7 sacked
-never recovered his authority in the party or the country
-not worth it

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48
Q

What was the vassal affair

A

-1963
-john vassal found out to be a soviet spy
-under black mail of photo with another man
-no one knew he was gay
-from 1954-1962

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49
Q

what was the philby case

A

-gov took the blame for the security offices failure to identify a traitor in the foreign office for so long
-nearly 3 decades
-member of cambridge 5

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50
Q

what was the argyll divorce?

A

-duke of argyll accused wife of affair
-88 men
-photographic evidence
-minister of defence, duncan sandy

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51
Q

why did labour win the 1964 election

A

-conservatives had a bad reputation, produmo affair, suez crisis
-change after 13 years
-wilson was the man pf the people
-unemploment kept rising
-rejection of EEC
-conservative couldnt project a modern image
-wilson to lead technological age
-electorate disliked conservatives
-more torys voted liberal that werent fully into voting labour

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52
Q

Was the elction 1964 more about conservative weakness or labour greatness

A

-conservative weakness

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53
Q

who replaced to conervative government?

A

Harold wilson

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54
Q

Why was edward heath competition for HW

A

-same age
-even humbler background, working class

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55
Q

why was the economy a challenge to wilson

A

-kept declining
-labour promised to help when elected but didnt help
-Easy for consrvatives to be blamed in early years but not anymore

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56
Q

What was labour divided into under HW

A

-left: radical labour
-Right: Moderate labour

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57
Q

HW what did radical labour want?

A

-Nationalisation
-reform laws
-no nuclear weapons
-sdistance from US
-decolonisation
Didint want to join EEC
-abolish and reform private schools

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58
Q

HW what did moderate labour want

A

-no more nationilisation
-not a priotity to reform laws
-keep nucleaur weapons
-stay with the us, need protection and security
-Apply for EEC
-fairer distribution of wealth, by more economic planning (rather than gov controlling things

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59
Q

what was wilsons main aim

A

equality

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60
Q

what were tthe themes of new laws passed by wilson

A

-all in people favour, more freedom, more modern
-equality

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61
Q

HE reform on theatre

A

end of chamberlains censorship

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62
Q

HW sexual offences act 1967

A

homosexual acts legalised

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63
Q

HW race relations 1965 +1968

A

discrimination in publiic facilities, housing and employment made illegal

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64
Q

HW equal pay act

A

1970

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65
Q

Why did HW think people would like these

A

-britain becoming more liberal
-empire coming to an end, leading to more ethnicities coming to the UK
-impact on british culture
-new music and clothing in youth
-Most things targeted at youth so voting age lowering was good

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66
Q

did some people oppose HW’s new reforms

A

yes

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67
Q

who campainged against HW

A

-mary whitehouse, agAINST BBC
-old people, conservatives
-lots of working class worried about immigration

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68
Q

where was an election won due to racism HW

A

smethwick, birmingham 1964 bi election

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69
Q

HW educational reform plan

A

-planned to move away from 11+ exam and ontroduce comprehensive schools
-plan doesnt mean they will, they didnt

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70
Q

who supported HW educational reforms

A

-working class, lower class who didnt have these opportunities before

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71
Q

who apposed HW educational reforms

A

-middle class with kids in grammar schools
-feared would make education worse, no longer a school full of academically gifted children

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72
Q

what was the vietnam war

A

-a prolonged war (1954-1975) between the communist armies of north vietnam who were supported by the chinese and the non communist armies of south vietnam who were supported by the united states

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73
Q

Why was the vietnam war hard for wilson

A

-believed britains economy relied on alliance with us
-US would ask for help, but britain cant provide while dealing with conflicts within labour itself
-Left, very anti war, anti US
-right, more in favour Like US

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74
Q

what was Wilsons response to the vietnam war

A

-announced in parliament they would help US
-however, refused to send in troops
-1966 publically criticised heavy US bombing

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75
Q

What happened with southern Rhodesia hw

A

-1965
-white minority declared independence from britain
-set up a gov led by the white minority that completely disregarded black majority
-ian smith became new leader
-did this so they didnt have to go through doing it deomocratically which would have meant they would have had to give black lives right

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76
Q

what was wilsons response to southern rhodesia?

A

-the left of labour were actually in favour of sending in troops
-refused to recognise them as an independent country
-also refused to send in troops

-britain imposed economic santions which had little effects
-he tried to negotiate personall twice, bad decision, made it personal, meaning only he was to blame
-proposed allowing ian smith to rule aslong as he pledged to allow majority to be ntroduced in future

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77
Q

why wouldnt wilson send in troops to rhodesia

A

-if he did it in one place he woyld have to do it in others that had the same isse (south afirca)

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78
Q

what was the end result of rhodesia?

A

-proposals rjected
-issue not resolved untill 1980

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79
Q

whywhy did wilson apply to the EEC (again and when)

A

-1967
-loosing lots of empire, need for outside economic benefits
-needed to improve economy, needed common market

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80
Q

-how did the rejection make the gov look

A

not good
-softened the blow but wasnt the first time

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81
Q

what were the problems with the conomy under wilson

A

-growth was sluggish compared to over european countries
-could no longer blame the war, 2 decades ago
-can no longer point to conservative mistakes
-biggest reason for lack of growth was balance of payments

82
Q

What is the balance of payments

A

-the difference in total value between payments into and out of a country over a period . exports and imports

83
Q

what was this balance of payments deficit blamed on

A

-british buisnesses not being competative enough, not good enough products at a low cost

84
Q

why were trade unions an issue under wilson?

A

-in 1960s almost half of the UK workforce belonged to a trade union
-as labour party was founded in interest of workers rights they were heavily linked with these uions
-contributions from these unions making up most of their funding
-started striking, demanding more pay and shorter hours
-many Uk industries nationalised at the time

85
Q

What was ‘closed shop’ policy

A

-several industries operated with these
-meant workers were required to join a particular union if they wanted to be employed
-which in terms increased their power, as lots of membership

86
Q

why was closed shop policy bad for HW?

A

-meant it wiuld be huge numbers of people if they went on strike, whol industries instead of small groups

87
Q

Possible solutions for Closed shop policy

A
  1. take on trade unions
  2. devalutation: increasing taxes and/or cut gov spending in order to deficit the UK economy
    3.intentionally devalue the pound
    -reducing value would make it harder for british consumers to buy foreign exports as it would cost more but would be easier for foreigners to buy british exports as they would be getting more for their money
88
Q

what was ‘in place of strife’

A

-Poposalsa written by barbara castle which wer:
-if the strike was going to threaten national interest the governement could call a ballot

-employes had a legal right to join a trade union
-workers who got unfairly dismissed were right to compensaition over their jjob back
-they had to reuturn to work 28 days before strike to see if they coyld resove issue

89
Q

was the place of strife ever set in place

A

no, wilson was forced to back down

90
Q

what was the reaction to place of strife

A

-trade union congress very opposed, particulary at the idea of legal sanction for those cmpaigning for bettwe treatment
-many within labour also opposed the proposals
-wilson forced to back down
-strikes continued anyways
-showed failure to improve let alone transform

91
Q

1970 election

A

conservative victory

92
Q

what happened in the 1970 election

A

-suprise victory for conservative
C: 330 seats 13 mil votes
L: 287 seats 12 mil votes

93
Q

Why did the labour party loose in 1970?

A

-Wilson’s compliancy
-election poll taken just before, wilson had 51% approval cpmpared to heaths 28%
-because of this wilson was too relaxed
-confident during campaign, believed he was superior to heath
-Publication of poor trade figures before election day
-dissolution of labour supporters
-failure in place of strife

94
Q

Why was the labour party dissoluded in 1970 election

A

-thought defeat was due to labour supporters not bothering to vote
-Membership fell from 830,000 in 1964 to 680,000 in 1970
-for many gov too right wing: too supportive of USA, to much money spent on defence, not welfare, working class made poorer, abandoned historic commitment to socialism and working class

-tried to gain support of working women by passing 1970 equal pay act, but it politically motivated young people

94
Q

Why was the labour party dissoluded in 1970 election

A

-thought defeat was due to labour supporters not bothering to vote
-Membership fell from 830,000 in 1964 to 680,000 in 1970
-for many gov too right wing: too supportive of USA, to much money spent on defence, not welfare, working class made poorer, abandoned historic commitment to socialism and working class

-tried to gain support of working women by passing 1970 equal pay act, but it politically motivated young people

95
Q

what factors lead to conservative victory 1970?

A

conservative policy proposals:
-used time in opposition to create a set of principles to undermine labour
-Industrial realtions law would be reformed to reduce number of strikes
-less state intervention in industry
-britain would apply for EEC

edward heath:
-always attacked economic record of labour
-SINCE 1964 INFLATION HAD RISEN 33% AND UNEMPLOYMENT BY OVER 200,000
-dealt firmly to major challenge of leadership, sacked enoch powell in 1968, after racist speech

96
Q

What were heath’s aims

A

promised too:
-strengthen economy and curb inflation
-Transform industrial relations
-Create ‘one nation’
-Apply to EEC

not all that different to Wilson

97
Q

What was heath’s economic record like? better or worse?

A

-conservative inherited an inflation rate of 5% per anum, but this reached 10% 4 years later
-level of unemployment was no higher in 1974 than that of 1970
-number of working days lost to strikes doubled in heaths 4 years than that of wilsons 6 years
-inheried balance of payments surplus but left a substancial deficit

-years did coincide with world economic blizzard

98
Q

When Britain join europe

A

-became full member of EEC on 1 jan 1973

99
Q

how did conservatives react to joining EEC

A

-much division
-39 MPs voted against
-labour in general opposed, but 69 MPs voted in favour of joining
-enough to give heath a comfortable majority
-consrvatives believed it threatened their countries independence

100
Q

why was heath pro EEC?

A

-believed teh membership would give british industry better access to europe’s markets and that european competition would stimulate modernisation and development

101
Q

Why did they get accepted into EEC in 1973

A

-de gaulle had left office in 1969 and new french president not opposed to british entry

102
Q

What was the industrial relations act 1971?

A

-heath believed he had popular mandate to legislate on industrial relations
-aimed to balance rights of workers with those of unions, while reducting likelihood of strikes

Main provisions:
-Workers had legal right to join or not to join unions, challenging legality of ‘Closed shop’
-Gave gov power to order a pre strike ballot and impose calling off period of 60 days

103
Q

why did the industrial relation act fail?

A

-many regulations like labours failed plan
-No suprise it was unpopular
-complicated heath’s efforts to negotiate with TUC over strikes etc

104
Q

when was the industrial relations act seriously undermined?

A

-Legal judgement in 1972 ordered release of some dock workers after they had refused to appear before the NIRC

105
Q

What were general industrial relations like under cons 1970-1974

A

-Worse than under wilson
-strikes due to hostility
-Mainly in response to awful inflation

days lost to strike:
1970: 10.9 mil
1974: 14.7 mil

106
Q

Why was extremely bad during 1970-74?

A

-1971 US pres Nixon ended system of fixed echange rates, devaluing dollar, british exports more expensive in USA
-world wide commodity in prices
-Gov aimed to stimulate growth by cutting taxes and increasing public spending, increasing demand, and prices

107
Q

what happened in the miners strike 1972?

A

-considerable public sympathy
-claim for a 47% increase in pay
-already offered 8%
-Gov forced to declare state of emergency and there were regular power cuts
-By feb, gov anxious for a settlement and appointed a commision of enquiry
–Gave miners large pay increase

108
Q

why was the miners strike 1972 successful?

A

-skillfully organised, coordinated groups
-blocked to stop coal transport
-Ugly confrontations didnt damage public sympathy
-Gov poorly organised

109
Q

why was miners strike 1972 damaging for Heaths gov

A

-Encouraged others to strike for pay increase
-added to inflationary pressure
-looked wesk in face of hostility
-emphasised failures of industrial relations act

110
Q

What was Heath’s U-Turn 1972

A

-policy to reduce state intervention didnt last

-Jan 1971, aircraft division of rolls royce bankrubt, nationalised as regarded vital to british defence
-heath not prepared to allow unemployment to increase
-in feb 1972, Gov granded £35 mil to upper clyde shup builders to safeguard 3000 jobs
-new ministry for industrial development set up

111
Q

What was the oil shop of 1973 and the three day week

A

-october 1973 two arab states, egypt and syria went to war against israel
-E and S angry and ‘western support’ for I
-cut back oil supplies and quadrupled prices

-britain relied on oil for 50% of energy, huge effect
-miners increasing frustrated as demand for coal higher = overtime

-on 13th december, heath declared state of emergency, introduction of 3 day week
-Electricity only provided 3 days a week
-50mph speed cap
-TV required to close at 10:30 each evening

112
Q

What happened in 1974 election?

A

-health called, hoping for a decisive victory to solidify position
-this failed, wilson is back baby
-Cons: 297
-Labour: 301

Minority gov

113
Q

what is a minority Gov

A

to be able to approve laws you need more than half Mp seats (326) but wilson only had 301

114
Q

what did wilson do to solve minority Gov

A

held another election, 1974
-got 3 seat majority, 319
-actually less votes

115
Q

who was michael foot

A

-intellectual who had edited the evening standard newspaper
-deputy leader of labour party in 1776-80
-leader in 1980-83
-beleived strongly in social equality`

116
Q

who was tony Benn

A

-Son of labour peer
-served as post master general under wilson from 64-70
-minister for technology in 74-79
-opposed nuclear weapons
-strong socialist beliefs
-Against EEC

117
Q

what does Benn and foot’s ideology show about the post-war concensus

A

-its breaking
-everyone obeyeing the PWC is loosing votes
-everything moving more left
-offering something different so they get/maintain votes
-letting left wing into cabinet

118
Q

what was unemployment like during wilsons 2nd tim

A

1974: 542,000
1976: 1.3 mil

119
Q

what was the social contract?

A

-labour and unions agree to cooperate
-Gov promise to TRY and keep prices down
-unions promise to be reasonable
-No legal restrictions on wages

120
Q

why didnt the social contract solve issues?

A

-the word TRY
-wages continued to exeed inflation rates
-only give and take, Gov gave, unions took

-opinion Poll: jack jones: leader transport union- votes most powerful man in the country

-unsteady cooperation lasted unill winter 78-79

121
Q

what did wilson do to solve labour party divisions over europe

A

-promised to renegotiate terms of British membership in EEC and hold a referendum on the issue

122
Q

what did wilson want to change about British EEC membership?

A

-britains contribution to the EEC budget would be reduced

123
Q

what happened in the EEC referendum

A

-1975
-wilson allowed freedom in cabinet to campaign for either side
-result was 2:1 in favour of continued membership

124
Q

why and when did wilson resign

A

-memory, old age

125
Q

who replaced wilson

A

james callaghan

126
Q

why was stagflation an issue in 1975?

A

-settled miners strike 1972 by 23% pay increase
-wages growing faster than growth
-inflation increased to 30% by middle of 1975

-demanded even bigger wage increase

127
Q

what was the impact the world recession on Britain 1975

A

-unemployment increased from 542,000 to over 1.3 mil in 1976

128
Q

what did denis healey believe

A

-economic recovery depended on conquering inflation

129
Q

who was denis healey?

A

chancellor of the exchequer 1974-79

130
Q

what did denis healey do?

A

-1975 budget increased taxes, cut gov spending hoping taking money out of economy would reduce prices
-July 1975 introduced formal incomes policy £6 per week cieling on wage increases, freeze on higher income
-year later, reduced to £4

result: gradual fall in level of wage increases 26% 1975, 10% 1977

131
Q

did inflation dropping in 1975-7 solve economic problems

A

NO,
continuing poor productivity and high costs did little to boost exports
-imports remained high
-balance of payments in deficit

132
Q

what happened to the pound in 1976?

A

-falling exchange value threatened to push up prices of birtish imports and make inflation work
-british banks bought pounds on the foreign exchanges to prop up its value
-this threatened to use of countries currency reserves
-national bankruptsy threatened

133
Q

what was the IMF loan

A

IMF: international monetary fund, made at end WW2
-30 countries at the time agreed to help a fund to rebuild national economies
-impose strict conditions on loans, rapid schemes to reduce debt

-1976 britain asked for 3.9 billion
-embarrassing, 30 years after the war
-IMF agreed, but needed to reduce Gov spending by 2 billion

134
Q

What was the Lib lab pact 1976?

A

-severity of countries economic problems undermined public confidence in labour
-opinion poll: cons 25% over labour
bi election meant that by 1977, labour no longer held majority
-March 1977 callaghan negotiated deal with new labour leader David steel, 13 liberal MPs agreed to support new Gov

-Lasted untill 1978

135
Q

what was the winter of discontent 1978-79

A

-winter weather, particularly bad, cold, heating bills rising etc
-gov commited to limiting wage increase to 5%
-inflation alot more than 5%
-unions unhappy
-Dec 1978: ford workers recieve 15% pay increase after 3 month strike
-why coudlnt others?
-Lorry drivers, bin men and grave diggers all go on strike
-MT called for declare of state emergency
-callaghan on holiday

136
Q

what was the 1979 vote no confidence?

A

-liberals ended pact with labour
-continuing would have been political suicide
-callagahn lost by 1 vote, triggering an election

137
Q

what was thatchers first term?

A

1979-83

138
Q

how many elections did MT win?

A

3

139
Q

what was MT’s inherited situation

A

-a dire situation
-cuts in spending and an increase in taxation was what was needed
-Thatcher wanted to continue this but go further
-wanted to reduce power of trade unions
-

140
Q

results of the 1979 election

A

cons: 339
lab: 269

141
Q

What was the June 1979 budget

A

-geoffrey howe reduced amount of income tax paid on wages and increased the amount of VAT

-top rate of income tax (paid by highest earners) fell from 83% to 60%
-standard rate of income tax cut from 33% to 30%
-VAT increased from 8% on most good (12% on luxuries) to 15% on everything

142
Q

what impact did the June 1979 budget have on the people

A
  • recieving more money in bank accounts
    -Wealthy better off
    -average class, not much of an increase
    -Changes in VAT meant average workers will struggle to buy basics
    -pooroer loosing large cunk of income cause of VAT increase

-prices go up more money=more people buying more
-prices increase causse of yax, inflation increases as demand is higher

143
Q

when were the other two budgets?

A

1980+1981

144
Q

what did the 1980 + 1981 budgets do?

A

-cut gov spending
-reduced gov borrowing
-25% income tax bracket for poorest scrapped, all put into 30% bracket
-increased taxes (alcohol and fuel)

145
Q

what was the 1981 budget described as

A

the most unpopular in history

146
Q

the impact of howes policies:

A

-positiv effect on inflation, but contributed to an economic downturn

-rate at which prices rose reduced from 18% in 1980 to 4.5% in 1983
-manufacturing output fell by 14%
-many firms went out of buisness
-Unemployment more than doubled between 1979-1983 to over 3 million
-Gov didnt support failing industries

-despire unemployment rising, productivity rate began to rise and showed signs of recovery in 1982
-Thatcher claimed it was because her policies were working

147
Q

social response to Howes policies

A

-riots
-1981 Brixton
-places of high unemployment, poverty and racial tension

148
Q

what was privatisation?

A

-opposite to nationalisation
-thatcher said it was fundamental to improving economic performance of britain
-Big example of Gov moving to right

she belived nationalised industrys were
-inefficient and over manned
-Would be able to raise investment capital once released from gov control

-between 1979 and 1989 companies like cable and wireless, british petroleum and rolls royce privatised

149
Q

when was the 2nd miners strike

A

1984-1985

150
Q

Why did some people support the second miners strike?

A

-hard job
-North, wales and other regions had large pop of miners (sympathy strikes)
-Lots of issues still prominent from last strike
-Gov had been planning to remove coal mining industries, leading to huge levels of unemployment
-Gov expressed no interest in propping up failing industries
-45yo coal miners less likely to find new work
-20 pits closed: 20,000 jobs gone
-Many pits close to one another, hitting those areas to harder

151
Q

why did some people oppose the miners strike?

A

-everyone suffering not just them
-mines inefficient
-losing Gov money 250m a year
-new load of oil found in North Sea
-nationwide ballot of miners never held, technically broke law
-april 1984, the NUM refused to hold a vote
-sept 1984 judge ruled strike illegal
-new breakaway union
Union of democratic mineworkers
-formed by miners who didnt want to go on strike

152
Q

who was Arthur Scargill

A

-leader of the strike
-seen by many as extremist who would never accept a reasonable compromise
-blamed for the rpreated clashes between police and miners
-

153
Q

how did Thatcher remain popular during Miners strike

A

success in falklands and her difiance of the IRA
-boosted in 1984 by her response to the Brighton bombing during the Cons party annual conference where 5 people were killed
-she appeared for her speech the following morning, showing definace

154
Q

what was the outcome of the miners strike?

A

-Ultimately unsuccessful
-decrease in membership
-nowhere near as powerful as they used ot be
-loosing all faith from unions
-NUM membership more than halved by the 1987

155
Q

why did MT struggle to be backed by her cabinet

A

-gender
-limited experience of Gov
-lots of members of her shadow cabinet were older and more experieence, and loyal members of heaths gov

156
Q

who were the wets

A

-the ‘one nation’ conservatives
-those who wanted mone spent on welfaire and emploment
-MT wanted to focus on private initiative and enterprise

157
Q

did MT have any success i gaining cabinet support?

A

-did succeed in establishing a small band of loyalists
-popular amongst the grassroots members of the party, where her emphasis on defeating socialism and restoring britains greatness went down well

158
Q

How did thatcher achieve master of her cabinet?

A

-when starting felt the need to appoint a number of wets to senior roles (including michael hesaltine)
-but made sure allies (dries) were in key ministries (geoffrey howe)
-promoted other supporters
-after success in falklands she could be more commanding and not as cautious about wets
-considerable charm

159
Q

who opposed thatchers leadership style?

A

-Hestaline, one of last remaining wets not afraid to express opinions
-resigned, thatcher survived, but became a potential rival leader for those within party who also disliked her
-1987 fell out with howe and lawson over economic policy and britains role in the empire
-Howes resignation speech 1990 played big role in her downfall

160
Q

what was the westland affair

A

-Jan 1986 very public row over the future of Britains very last helicoptor manifacturer, westland

-In financial trouble
-Defence sec hesaltine wanted to help it
-Thatcher wanted it to be taken over by US firm
-Heseltine and Brittan resigned

161
Q

why did thatcher have such passionate support

A

-To her supporters she was clear sighted and brought about much needed change

-believed she was implementing a coherent set of principles and policies onto the party

-Defiance to change cemented her ‘Iron Lady’ status

162
Q

why did thatcher have such passionate hatred

A

-policies controversial from beginning
-tax going from direct to indirect criticised for disproportionately hitting the poor
-people lost jobs, especially miners
-felt she had created a culture of vulgar greed
-disturbed by homelessness ‘cardboard cities’
-‘no such thing as society’ confirmed her heartlessness

163
Q

who resigned from thatchers Gov

A

lawson and how 1989 and 1990

164
Q

what % was inflation in 1989

A

8.3%

165
Q

what happened in Oct 1987

A

Stock market crash
-Wiped 24% off share prices
-Lawson thought would cause recession

166
Q

1980 employment act

A

-Outlawed secondary pickeing and increased rights of those who refused to join unions

167
Q

1982 employment act

A

-Restricted sympathy strikes and allowed closed shop only if 85% supported
-if sacked due to not joining union, Entitled to high rates of compensation

168
Q

trade union act 1984

A

-required unions to hold secret ballots before lanching industrial action

169
Q

what was the lawson boom

A

-financial services act: removed regulations that had controlled big banks in london.
-trading stock and shares became alot easier

-wealth of londons financial sector grew massively
-unemplyment halves 3 mil to 1.6 mil

170
Q

what did critics say lawsons boom was down too?

A

-Newly found oil, making country alot of money
-distribution of wealth unevent, london and surrounding areas had seen wealth, north struggling and wales`

171
Q

How did thatcher win in 1983?

A

-Dec 1979: afghan invaded by USSR, scares people about getting rid of nuclear weapons which is what labour wanted
-Michael foot, raging socialist, not popular, disliked EEC
-4 MPS break away from labour to form social democrats
-known as the more moderate labour, for those who didnt like extreme labour
-meaning those not voting for labour, voted for social democrats

-controlled inflation

172
Q

what happened in the falklands and when?

A

-1982
-one of few remaining parts of british empire
-Argentina claimed it
-Britain said no
-argentina held a sovreinty referendum : 1500 to 3
-96.5 % wanted british rule

173
Q

why did thatcher want to do something over falklands?

A

-British citizens had right to be independent

174
Q

what did MT do over falklands?

A

-dispatched a task force to reclaim island
-reacted swiftly to invasion
-realtions with US allowed for a base on the ascension island for GB

175
Q

impact of falklands war on the 1983 election

A

-Cons support grew
-seen as dedicated leader

176
Q

main reasons for thatchers resignation in 1990

A

-Poll tax
-Economic difficulies
-Divisions over europe
-Growing personal isolation and unpopularity

177
Q

what was the poll tax?

A

-known as the community charge
-1990
-thatcher calculated that a tax called ‘the rates’ on owners of property and buisness was only half being payed
-thought there would be more interest in local politics if everyone payed local taxes

-poll tax came from the Local Gov Finance act of 1988

-replaced rates with flat rate tax on everyone
-day before it was meant to take place, huge protest against in trafalgar square
-thatcher decided to follow suit despite its unpopularity

178
Q

economic difficulties that led to resignation

A

-1987 stock market crash, wiped 24% of shares
-1988 budget, lawson cut income tax, this pushed up prices
-inflation rising again , 8.3%
-mortage payers, paying hevily now for houses theyd been encouraged to buy earlier
-

179
Q

divisions over europe that led to resignation

A

-since late 1960s countries of european union wanted to move closer to unuon and merge currencies into one single monetary system across europe
-thatcher accepted, said essential step to free market

-Lawson and howe wanted to join Exchange rate mechanism, to create exchange rates stable by minimising fluctuations

-Thatcher disagreed

-Demoted howe, lawson reigned

-john major became new chancellor

180
Q

growing unpopularity that led to resignation

A

-1989, by election labour won by 6000 votes
-1989 Elections to european parliament, cons 33.5%, labour 38.7%
-by june 1990 lab 16 points ahead in opinion polls

cons feared the would loose if MT stayed
-1989 Anthony meyer challenged her for leadership
-won by 33 votes
-fall triggered by Howe challenging her, unexpected

181
Q

what happened in the conservative leadership election?

A

-Hesaltine also put up his candicacy
-thatcher still won, not by enough to avoid second round voting
-advised against following through by ministers
-Announced intention of resigning
-replaced by john major

182
Q

Main 4 social focuses of MT?

A

-NHS
-schools
-unis
-council house sales

183
Q

NHS under MT

A

-aim to make it more efficient by implementing Buisness principles
-Allowed to become self governing trusts in charge of own budget
-Services expected to compete with one another to be the best
-GPs became fund holders with own budgets to manage

supporters: Gave financial discipline

critics: first stage in privatisation of the NHS
Buisness methods inappropriate for Public services

184
Q

Why did MT want to reform schools

A

-quality of secondary education, concern for some time
-in partictular O levels and CSE s
-Feeling britain was lagging behind
-teachers not being subject to quality control
-

185
Q

what did MT change about schools

A

-1986 GCSES
-1988 national curriculum
-regular national testing

186
Q

What did MT think about Unis

A

that they needed to be more economically self sufficient and to do more to serve the economic needs of the country

187
Q

what did MT change about Unis

A

-cut uni budgets in 1981
-forcing them to seek alternative routes of revenue and accept more students
-1988 Uni funding council: ensure focused on needs of economy rather than pure research
-Gov removed polytechnics from local control, bringing them under control of uni funding council

188
Q

what did MT do to council houses

A

-Wanted to create a ‘property owning democracy’
-wanted to reward those hwo shared values she admired, hardwork and self relianc and initiativ
-Believed owning property gave stakes in own community
-less likely to support socialism

-she allowed long termc council tenants to buy their own property
-Insisted they would get tax relief on mortagaes

189
Q

effects of council houses decisisons MT

A

-mount of Gov money spent subsiding Mortgages doubled
-Property ownership increased by 12%

190
Q

why were the conservatives under major so badly defeated in 1997?

A

-lacked authority
-cons party divided over role in europe
-The labour party was revitalised under new labour

191
Q

Majors lack of authority

A

-elected because people didnt want hesaltine
-Tired of thatchers bossiness he appeared reliable and conciencious
-limited expeirience
-only been in cabinet since 1987
-uncharismatic personality ridiculed in the media
-Cons majority decreased by 21 seats, meaning MPs who disagreed could threaten with defeat in parliment
-any bi election defeats increase dancer of a defeat

192
Q

Divisions over europe under Major

A

-Cons ‘eurosceptics’ loathed moves towards closer monetary and political union
-alos sizable section of party who supported it

193
Q

What was the mastricht treaty and when was it signed?

A

-1991
-commited GB to full integration
-common currency
-foreign policy and defence
-community would be known as european union

194
Q

what did britain opt out of, in mastrict treaty

A

-single currency and social chapter

195
Q

what alliance formed as a result of mastrict treaty?

A

-sceptics in own party and labour

196
Q

what was black wednesday?

A

-by 1992, measures to curb inflation had tipped GB economy into depression
-unemplument rose, buisness went under and GDP diminished
-clear that exchange rate was too high

-£ fell sharply
-unsuccesfully tried to sustain its value by pushing up interest rates and getting BoE to buy pounds
-all failed and on 16th sept GB withdrew from exchange rate mechanism

-ruined cons reputation

197
Q

what effect did New labour have on Major’s leadership?

A

-old members expelled from extreme left
-1995 abolished Clause IV which pledged to nationalise industry
-modernised labours image
-rebranded new labour
-blair appealed to many
-won support of leading figures in the media

198
Q

what happened in the 1997 general election

A

worst defeat for cons since 1906
-lab won majority of over 180 seats
Cons: 165
lab: 418

199
Q

why did the cons loose 1997?

A

-struggle with euroskeptics
-economic performance, tarnished by withdraw from ERM
-party looked sleavy, scandalls with neil hamilton accepting money b4 speeches
-Many felt was time for a change

200
Q

why did labour win 1997?

A

-Blairs youth and optimism
-media presentation slick
-reform Clause IV
-no longer socialists in disguise

Britain check list (5 decks)

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