Chapter 21 Flashcards
Conservative governments and reasons for political dominance
What health reasons led to Churchill being an absentee prime minister?
He was 80 when he eventually retired in 1955 and suffered a serious stroke in 1953
What were the other reasons for Churchill being an absentee prime minister?
He spent more time abroad with leaders than actually dealing with government
What were the most significant tensions within Churchill’s government?
Butler and Macmillan, and Eden and Churchill
How many seats did the Conservative government hold in the 1955 election?
344 seats
Why was there optimism about Eden’s progressive ideas?
His views on domestic affairs, property-owning democracy and industrial partnership
Why was Eden really unsuited to the role of PM?
He was anxious about making decisions and was prone to fits of temper
What was the Suez Crisis?
October 1956 - Israel attacked Egypt through the Suez Canal, to which Britain and France issued an ultimatum and began bombing Egypt. This was all planned by the three countries, even though Eden claimed he did not know about it
Why was the Suez Canal a political crisis?
Eden seemed weak, destroyed illusions of imperial power, under attack from the Labour Party, damaged his reputation
How did the Suez Canal Crisis split the Conservative Party?
There was a rebellion from 40 MPs, and opposition from chief whip, Edward Heath
When did Eden resign and what cause did he give?
Early 1957 due to ill health
What was the Conservative housing achievements?
Macmillan oversaw the building of over 300,000 new houses - these were of a lower quality
What was the Conservative social services achievements?
Welfare reforms were left intact and social benefits rose - costs increased and NHS prescriptions cost 2 shillings
What was the Conservative education achievements?
Conservatives developed the tripartite system of schools - there were financial restraints and a lack of fairness
What was the Conservative other social reform achievements?
Clean Air Act 1956 and Housing and Factory Acts improved working and living conditions, Homicide Act 1957 restricted death penalty and Wolfenden Commssion recommended decriminalisation of homosexual behaviour
What were the main causes of internal Labour divisions?
Revising Clause IV, whether to be more socialist, growing opposition from trade unions and divisions over nuclear weapons
