Conservative Governments and reasons for political authority Flashcards
Info that is on the specification
Who is Winston Churchill?
a conservative prime minister
What is interesting about Churchill’s previous roles within government?
he served as both a conservative and liberal cabinet minister (1906-1940)
When did Churchill first become prime minister?
May 1940
What did Churchill achieve during his first term?
leading Britain to victory in WW2
What happened to Churchill’s position after WW2 in 1945?
he became world statesman
When was Churchill reinstated as prime minister?
1951
How did opinion on Churchill as prime minister differ during his second term?
he was viewed as not a good post-war prime minister
What were the reasons for this switch in opinion?
- he personally viewed himself as a better statesman than PM
- he believed he was above party politics
- due to his old age he was constantly absent
What was Churchill’s main aim for post-war Britain?
to avoid any new conflict
Why was this his main aim?
the dangers of a nuclear war
When did Churchill officially resign as prime minister?
1955
Who was Churchill’s successor?
Anthony Eden
Who was Anthony Eden whilst Churchill was prime minister?
Foreign secretary & often acted as PM in Churchill’s many absences
When did Eden become prime minister?
1955
When did Eden resign?
1957
Why was Eden viewed as not a good candidate for PM?
- anxious about making decisions
- lack of knowledge outside foreign policy
- major area of lacking = economic issues
What caused Eden to resign?
the Suez crisis - ruined reputation
Who was Anthony Eden’s successor?
Harold Macmillan
What was the period that Macmillan remained PM for?
1957-1963
How can Macmillan be described in regards to political standing?
one-nation conservative
What is a one-nation conservative?
a conservative who believes that all classes in society have obligations to one and other and those in the upper classes have the responsibility to help the less fortunate
How is Macmillan better prepared for a life of politics than previous prime ministers?
his life has been shaped by many life-altering events such as: 2 world wars, great depression
What was Macmillan’s nickname?
Supermac
Why did Macmillan have this nickname?
- restored unity within the conservative party after the Suez crisis
- economic prosperity (post-war economic boom)
- had media in the palm of his hand
Why did the conservative party become unified after Suez?
- 40 conservative MPs rebelled
- Edward Heath (Chief Whip) strongly opposed Eden at this time
Who succeeded Macmillan?
Sir Alec Douglas Home
What previous experience did Home have?
- Foreign secretary under Macmillan
Why was Home chosen to be PM?
a compromise candidate - as there was strong opposition towards the two most obvious candidates
What did a compromise candidate reveal about the Conservative party?
made the party appear trapped in a bygone age
What was Winston Churchill like as a political leader in post-war Britain?
There was lots of unacknowledged tensions within the party which made Churchill appear passive - alongside inactivity within domestic policies (as he believed himself to be more of a statesman), ill-health, and old age
What was Anthony Eden like as a political leader?
Too self-conscious and anxious to make important and vital decisions needed as well as lacking on vital knowledge necessary in key areas such as economic issues which impacted his performance as an effective prime minister
What was Harold Macmillan like as a political leader?
Initially a very strong and competent candidate however after being in the limelight for such a prolonged period of time simply lost his political touch as well as his character being one of old aristocratic ways in an ever modernising society - he no longer fit the ideal image as a PM for the advancing society that was post-war Britain
What was Sir Alec Douglas Home like as a political leader?
Only a leader for a small amount of time (less than a year) and did not accomplish anything notably good or bad during this period
What domestic policy did the conservatives inherit from the previous labour government?
NHS
How did war impact domestic policy?
after the experience of war made people more ready to accept the need for state intervention
What is the post-war consensus?
an agreement between the main political parties on major issues
What were the 3 areas which had the most changes?
1- housing
2- education
3- social
What did the 1951 conservative manifesto promise in regards to housing?
that 300,000 houses will be built every year
What was the purpose of the 1951 housing manifesto?
to rebuild the housing stock destroyed in the war & to replace many of the slums
What was the education system?
tripartite system
What are the three branches of school in this system?
1- grammar (intellectually gifted)
2- technical (vocational & practical)
3- secondary modern (basic)
What are the 3 different social acts passed?
1- Clean Air Act (1956)
2- Housing and Factory Act
3- The Homicide Act (1957)
What is the Clean Air Act?
aimed to prevent the smog of the early 50s
What is the Housing and Factory Act?
improving the working and living conditions
The is the Homicide Act?
reduction of the death penalty
What was the suggestion that was part of these social policies?
the Wolfenden Commission (1957)
What is the Wolfenden Commission?
recommended that any homosexual acts should no longer be illegal
What was the basis of internal labour divisions?
clashes of both personality and ideologies
Who were the two main politicians within the labour party?
- Aneurin (Nye) Bevan
- Hugh Gaitskell
How did Bevan and Gaitskell clash?
Bevan was more left and Gaitskell was more right of the labour party
How can Bevan be seen as unstable?
in the initial discussions of nuclear weapons he was against their development however he later came out and opposed unilateral nuclear disarmament
What is unilateral nuclear disarmament?
the policy of renouncing the use, development, and possession of nuclear weapons
Who is Frank Cousins?
leader of a union who strongly opposed Gaitskell over Britain’s nuclear weapons
How did the 1959 election impact the labour party?
divisions became even more apparent and there were battles over the future of the party
What did Gaitskell face a lot of back lash for at the 1959 conference?
Clause IV
What is clause IV?
the abolition of nationalisation
What happened to Gaitskell after this suggestion?
he backed down due to fierce opposition - so much opposition that he never even held a vote
What was the kick start for the conservatives fall from power?
1963 EEC rejection
What did Macmillan do which brought his leadership into question?
Night of the Long Knives
What is Macmillan’s night of the long knives?
dramatic reshuffling of cabinet
What did the night of the long knives?
when it aimed to strengthen the government it was only weakened
How did Macmillan look ‘out of touch’?
- image of an Edwardian gentleman
- marriage into aristocracy
- no longer a relatable figure
What were the three scandals in the 1960s in relation to?
spies
What was the George Blake scandal?
- 1961
- convicted of being a Soviet double agent
What was the John Vassall scandal?
- 1962
- a civil servant being blackmailed by Soviets
- on the basis of his homosexuality
- passing info onto the Soviet Union
Who was involved in the Profumo affair?
- Christine Keller
- John Profumo
- A Soviet spy
What was the Profumo affair/
- 1963
- John Profumo’s brief relationship with Christine Keller who also had a relationship with a Soviet spy
- raised questions about possible leaks of Cold War secrets
Who won the 1964 election?
Labour - Harold Wilson
