Chapter 1 - Conservative Governments

Question 1

Why was conservative dominance on expected

Answer 1

In 1951 Labour won the most boats but fewer seats than the Conservatives because of the first past the post system

Question 2

What was Churchill’s reputation year in 1951 to 55

Answer 2

He had a reputation for leading wartime Britain to victory but this was not his best term because he was an old man of 80 with serious ailments such as a stroke in 1853 which left him speech impaired although this was kept a secret

Question 3

What did Churchel think of himself to be why and what impact did this have

Answer 3

Thought he was an international status man not a domestic politician he spent more time abroad and in Downing Street to ensure no new conflict would break out because of the dangers of nuclear war

Question 4

What were the tensions within the Conservative party on the church

Answer 4

Butler Macmillan and Eden did not get on Churchill and Eden as Eden was acting prime minister in Churchills absence and was becoming impatient for him to step down

Question 5

Who was the minister of housing from 1951 to 55

Answer 5

Harold Macmillan

Question 6

Who was the chancellor of the extractor in 1951 to 55

Answer 6

Rob Butler

Question 7

What did Churchill believe he was and why is it showing to be true

Answer 7

Believed he was above party politics started as a Conservative moved to the liberals in 1904 and was a cabinet minister throughout the until rejoining the Conservatives in 1924. He tried to persuade liberals to join his cabinet and chose nonconservative peers to oversee ministers

Question 8

Why was Anthony Eden’s premiership promising

Answer 8

He called the general election that increased the majority from 17 to 60

Question 9

Who was the chancellor of the exchequer on the Eden

Answer 9

No Butler

Question 10

Was Harold McMillan’s position under Anthony Eden

Answer 10

Foreign secretary

Question 11

What was Eden like as a prime minister

Answer 11

His political experience was in foreign policy he was anxious about making decisions he had a lack of knowledge in economic issues and aimed to prevent industrial conflict

Question 12

Which event made Eden look like a week leader

Answer 12

There was voiced disquiet in the first six months about his lack of experience and interest in the domestic affairs he was to conciliatory with the trade unions and tried to move Macmillan from foreign office to the Treasury in 1955 but Macmillan did not want to move and delayed it until December

Question 13

What was the Suez crisis

Answer 13

December 1956 Eden told the House of Commons that Britain did not know that is via plan to invade Egypt but there was a plan for France and Britain to intervene since October

Question 14

What was the impact of the Suez

Answer 14

Soured Edens reputation as a leader, turning point for Britain’s imperial power lied to the House of Commons so heavy attack from labour and the Manchester Guardian colonial minister Anthony Notting resigned from the cabinet rebellion of 40 Conservative MP is and Edward Heath will who was the chief whip post Eden the US exposed Britain’s financial

Question 15

Why did Eden resign

Answer 15

Never recovered from sewers and ill health in 1957

Question 16

Why words are a butler not as popular with the Conservatives as he was with the country

Answer 16

Reputation damaged by introducing tax cuts before the 1955 election as they were reversed and you to economy overheating he’s also linked to the policy of appeasement

Question 17

Why was Macmillan the new MP

Answer 17

He was the safe choice as he had a few enemies and disagreed with appeasement

Question 18

What was Macmillan like as a prime minister

Answer 18

He restored party unity economic prosperity full control of affairs called the general election in 1959 and super Matt post the majority up to 100

Question 19

What was the postwar consensus

Answer 19

And understanding and a great deal of agreement between the main political parties on major issues they agreed in a belief in a mixed economy support for the NHS and welfare state I wish the following appointment and avoid mass unemployment of 1930s and working with the trade union and employers

Question 20

What were the changes made to Houston on the Macmillan as housing minister

Answer 20

In 1951 the Conservative manifesto promise to build 300,000 houses a year this would rebuild the house and destroyed during World War I and replace slums

Question 21

What were the changes to education doing Conservative 13 years

Answer 21

They continue to tripartite system grammar technical and secondary modern there was an 11+ test to decide what type of school they went to financial restraints on the Churchill meant there was little technical schools schools

Question 22

What were the social reforms in the Conservatives 13 years

Answer 22

The clean at act of 1956 prevented the smoke of early 50s house saying and facture acts were to improve living and working conditions Butler as Home Secretary restricted the death penalty with the homicide act of 1957 on the Wolfenden commission recommended homosexuality should no longer be a criminal offence in 1957

Question 23

What were the internal labour diffusions divisions and was this the reason for conservative dominance

Answer 23

Bevan and Gaitskell both stood for leadership after Attlee Bevan was left get scale was right to left wanted to be more socialist initially a post nuclear weapons in 1957 he announced his opposition to unilateral nuclear disarmament frank cousins became leader of the TGWU get scale wanted to abolish clause IV

Question 24

What was the reason for the Conservatives fall from power

Answer 24

EEC application in 1963 rejected Macmillan lost his grip on government events dear boy events night of the Long knives July 1962 tried to rejuvenate government but we can date scandals George Blake was the soviet double John vessel was blackmailed to pass info on to the Soviet union due to his homosexuality Profumo affair 1963 the secretary of state for war John Profumo lied about his actions with Christine Keeler who was with a Soviets spy. Leaks of Cold War secrets. Macmillan resigned due to illness in 1963 and Lord home replaced him trapped in a bygone age