essay plans Flashcards
strength of conservative leadership was the most important reason for their domination 1951-1964. how far do you agree
conservative leadership
- churchill and macmillen were stronger leaders. eden and home were weaker leaders
conservative strengths
- high period of living standards. compared to labour they were successful
labour failings
- divisions about nuclear policy
- divisions about socialism
- they were not in opposition until the end of the period. unable to exploit conservative weaknesses like profumo scandal
conclusion - down to labour failings as labour was unable to exploit weaknesses
britian remained a major world power throughout the years 1951-1997. assess the validity of the view
Europe: they have to dictate to us
-joining europe
- entry had to gain compromise- cut ties with common wealth
britain dictated to them
-we rejected entry as it was not consisted with world view
- thatcher rebate
- major didnt want single currency
USA they dictated to us
- suez crisis - proven that britain could no longer act independently
- dependant on foreign loans
- invasion of grenada was against wishes of thatcher
britain dictated to USA
-falklands was vital for britains victory
- wilson refused to send troops to vietnam in spite of relience on loans
commonwealth
- did not want to want to join EEC
- remaining in commonwealth prevented britain from getting into europe on two occasions
how far do you agree that heath government was unsuccessful due to circumstances beyond its control
heaths aims
- promised to curb inflation
- had inherited inflation at 5% and had doubled 5 years later
- oil price shock
- promised to end subsidies to industry
- rejected this due to fear of rising unemployment
- gave grant to rolls royce 1971
- 1972 granted 35 million to upper clyde shipbuilding
- abandoned wilsons industrial relations act to appease unions
- industrial relations act similar to in place of strife. TUC made the it unworkable
divisions in the conservative party were the main reason for their defeat in 1997
conflict over maastricht lead to desperate measures to get support.
highlighted the divisions and lack of respect for major
maastricht committed britain to full integrations
economic failures
withdrawal from the ERM - reinforced the issue that europe brought nothing to britain - deepened the divide and humiliated many in britain making them lose confidence in conservatives
labour party
blair was a young charismatic leader
accepted the popular labour policies and didnt threatened the middle class who gained
labour was less divided
conclusion
lack of authority for major lead to party having deep divisions which intensified with problems with economy
britains relationship was close with the USA throughout the period. how far do you agree
they were close at the beginning and the end
- britains had demonstrated solidarity with korean war
- britain was accepting marshall aid
- however the relationship was quickly diminished by suez crisis - britain could not act independently
- relations were mended with macmillen
- relations during 60s and 70s were limited
- britains world power was reduced due to economic difficulties
- wilsons attempt in the vietnam war- johnson was disappointed that no british were fighting along side USA
strong relations with thatcher
- USA offered logistic help with falklands
- proves a special relationship
USA invades grenanda
conclusion
britain did not contribute much to the relationship therefore is successful
the achievenments of the heath government are limited
successes
joining europe
but had to enter on unfavourable terms
failures
- confrontation with miners
- u turn
- stagflation - high unemployment with high inflation
limited due to failure to curb inflation and industrial policy
to what extent did conservative divisions over europe cause thatcher to fall from power in 1990
divisions over europe
accepting single market act- committed the country to monetary and political union
lawson and howe were keen to join ERM which lead to their resignations
led to growing isolation and howes resignation speech
economic difficulties
reduce income tax stimulated a spending boom which pushed up prices
inflation increased, and interest rates increased so people found themselves paying heavily for the homes they had been persuaded to buy
poll tax
her cabinet disagreed with the tax but she did not listen. her style of leadership was increasingly dictatorial
assess why thatcher won three elections
labour lost the 1979 election
- winter of discontent
- growing economic problems
- labour was associated with devaluation and high tax
making voters turn to thatcher as they distrusted thatcher
83
falkland victory - made her popular 10 points to opinion polls
secured a platform to tackle other problems
- labour were divided with new leader michael foot
87
- defeat of the miners
-era of privatisation
-burden of tax had shifted
-high point of her economic policy
britains relationship was europe was always controversial how far do you agree
britian had other concerns in the 40s
50 and 60s not a cause of concern - had common wealth and empire
- become controversial in 1960 EEC rejected in 1961 as de guelle wanted to cut ties with common wealth
70’s veto was lifted. internal divisions over eec members
75 referendum
continuation of economic problems people thought it was not beneficial
80s
foot was anti europe but wasnt in power therefore didnt have much control
divide in labour about europe
1986 single market european act caused controversy
divisions over ERM led to howe and lawson resignation
90s euro sceptic wing under major grew
signed maastrict treaty
withdrawal from ERM - humiliating
how successfully did the labour governments 64-79 deal with the problems they faced
social reforms
labour successes lay not in traditional policy of nationalising industry but in programme of social change
race relations act 65
abortion 1967
failure of in place of strife - did not deal with union issue
winter of discontent
economic policy
balance of payment problems
inflation had not been slowed and unemployment was rising
not successful they were lucky to be in power at a time of social change allowing them to rule for 15 years but failed to deal with other issues
how successful was thatcher economic policies
unions - reduced union power but slowing implementing acts
employment act of 1982 and 1984 and trade union act all restricted power
privatisation - industries were inefficient and believed this would improve performance
shareholding increased to 11 million
however not want she wanted to achieve, as it creatred get rich quick attitude and deepened inequality
council housing
created a property owning democracy home ownership
thirteen wasted years how far do you agree with this view of the conservative government 1951-1964
economy - wasted due to money not being spent to aid economic growth
- spent a lot on defence - accounted for 10% of GDP
- was a balance of payments deficit and was funded by foreign loans
living standards - improved so not wasted
- availability of credit was important in improving standard of living
- built 1.7 million homes
- car ownership increased by 500% and tv rose by 85%
- 6000 schools were built
socially progressive
wasted conservative party not modernised
- was socially progressive due to welfare state
the main conservative leaders were private school boys from upper class backgrounds
social narrowness led to downfall
- immigration could be considered a success
assess the reasons why conservatives lost the 1964 election
conservative issues
- home was out of touch. private school boy showing conservatives hadnt changed their image
- could not answer economic problems
- sex scandals
appeal for labour
- wilson presented as a modern dynamic leader
- more united
- promised a range of policies to promote growth
liberals - middle class not prepared to vote labour
the most important reason for conservative dominance in 1979-97 was weakness of labour party
soon as labour was remodelled they were back in office
internal divisions
labour was divided in 1980s with the election of michael foot - belief in unilateral disarmament and nationalisation seemed old fashioned
- split to form SDP in march
labour leadership
foot led party further to the left
unable to inspire party to be of opposition
critical of falklands - went against public opinion
ghost of previous governments
- winter of discontent
stagflation and unemployment
conservative strengths thatcher managed to overcome issues such as unions falklands privatisation was population switching taxes was popular inflation was under control
major lacked authority and thatcher had no falkland factor in 87 therefore was down to labour failings and weaknesses
