Eden Flashcards
When did Anthony Eden become Prime Minister and what was the outcome of the 1955 election
Eden became PM in 1955
he called a general election
which increased the conservative majority from 17 to 68 seats
Who were key members of Eden’s Cabinet in 1955
Rab Butler became Chancellor and Harold Macmillan became foreign secretary.
What were Eden’s weaknesses in domestic policy
lack of experience and interest in domestic affairs
weak on economic issues
seen as too conciliatory to trade unions
what action highlighted Eden’s domestic inexperience in 1955
his attempt to move Macmillan from Foreign Office to Treasury, which Macmillan resisted until December 1955
what decision during the Suez crisis damaged Eden’s reputation
choosing military action in Egypt which ended in diplomatic and military failure
how did the public and labour party react to the Suez crisis
labour accused eden of lying
public protests involved 30,000 people
govt was seen as having “offended every principle of democracy”
what internal conservative party problems arose from Suez
cabinet resignations
rebellion by nearly 40 MPs
opposition from Edward Heath
What was the US reaction to the Suez intervention
the US threatened to sell UK bonds risking economic collapse
Macmillan warned Britain couldn’t withstand this
what threat did the soviet union make during the crisis
issued a formal letter threatening to use rockets against western invaders
when did Eden resign and who succeeded him
Eden resigned in 1957
Harold Macmillan became PM
how was the conservative party affected by the Suez crisis long term
the party wasn’t seriously damaged and maintained power under Macmillan
what theme did eden emphasize in the 1955 election
property owning democracy
what was significant about the 1955 election results
conservatives won 49.7% of the vote
this was a post war record and increased majority
what helped the conservatives win in 1955
end of rationing 1954
low unemployment 1%
consumer boom 8% rise from 1954 to 1955
labour party division over nuclear weapons
what role did Rab Butler play in the 1955 election victory
introduced give away budget giving £134 million in tax cuts boosting middle class support
