Conservative dominance between 1919 and 1939 Flashcards
What significant democratic reforms did the Conservatives oversee?
The 1918 Representation of the People Act and the 1928 Extension of the Franchise to women
What infrastructural developments occurred under Conservative rule in the 1920s?
The development of electricity boards
How did the Conservatives address healthcare and welfare?
They centralised health under 21 health acts, leading to a decrease in infant mortality. They also extended pensions in 1925 and 1937
What media development is associated with the Conservatives?
The set-up of the BBC in 1926 and the mass extension of radio and media
What was the outcome of the 1923 debate over tariff reform for the Conservatives?
They lost the election and their seats shrank from 347 to 258
What controversial welfare policies were introduced under Conservative direction?
Chamberlain cutting unemployment benefits in 1927 and the notorious means test being brought in in 1934
What can be said about the Conservative role in the house building scheme of the period?
While based on Labour’s housing bills, it is possible the Tories capitalised on being in power when these houses were first occupied, leading to 700,000 new houses by 1939
What was Baldwin’s key role in the early 1920s that contributed to Conservative success?
is role in uniting the Tories behind Bonar Law in 1922 after the Carlton Club meeting
What were the core principles of Baldwin’s political approach?
His principals of One Nation Conservatism, aiming to appeal to all social classes as a moderate politician
How did Baldwin respond to the 1926 General Strike?
He showed a reluctance to negotiate with the coal unions and appeared well-prepared, ultimately using the strike to demonstrate the weakness of the TUC. Many supported his firm stance against the unions
How did Baldwin utilise media during the General Strike?
He used daily broadcasts on the BBC and a daily newspaper to keep the public calm
What crisis did Baldwin handle in 1936, and what was the outcome?
The abdication crisis of 1936, where he advised Edward VIII to abdicate in favour of George VI, earning him the title of peacemaker and maintaining stability
What did Baldwin bring to British politics in times of crisis?
Stability, as seen after the collapse of Labour in 1924 and MacDonald’s resignation in 1935
How was Chamberlain’s visit to Munich in 1938 initially perceived?
As a triumph for bringing peace
How did the Conservatives use Lloyd George and the post-war coalition to their advantage?
They manipulated Lloyd George to take responsibility for the Paris Peace Conference, the Chanak Crisis, and unpopular measures like the Geddes Axe, allowing the Tories to remove him later
What event involving the press is seen as a Tory tactic to undermine Labour in 1924?
The use of their links with the press to print the Zinoviev scandal letter
What Labour actions were exploited by the Conservatives to portray them as soft on communism?
The Anglo-Russian Trade agreement and the failure to convict Campbell
How did the division between Labour and the Liberals benefit the Conservatives?
Both parties appealed to the left, splitting the vote and making it easier for the centre-right Tories to win majorities
How did the Conservatives benefit from the formation of the National Government during the Depression?
They were able to suggest heavy cuts under MacDonald’s leadership without always explicitly admitting their role
How did the economic recovery and rising European tensions in the mid-1930s benefit the Conservatives?
They were able to take the helm as the economy improved and unite the country under patriotism and nationalism due to the threat of fascism
What fundamental difference between the Conservatives and the other parties aided their dominance according to the source?
Their commitment to pragmatism and unity, which contrasted with the ideological divisions within the Liberals and Labour, making the Conservatives appear as a “safe pair of hands”
