History Britain 50s Flashcards
When was food rationing ended
July 1954
By 1955 was full employment achieved
how many unemployed
Full employment was achieved
200,000
less than 1%
In the run up to the 1955 election what did Butler do
Boosted conservative prospects with a give away budget that provided middle classes with 134 Million in tax cuts
resulting in people feeling more affluent and a growth in consumerism
When was the EEC created
1955
what percentage of western Europe’s oil imports passed through the Suez
80%
Why did Colonel Nasser nationalise the Suez canal
To provide finance required for the Aswan dam after the USA and Britain pulled out from planning to invest
What did Eden see Nasser as
An “Evil dictator”
Where did England, France and Israel have a top secret meeting at
Sevres France
When was the plan to invade Suez carried out
29th October
What did the intervention in Suez cause in Britain
Storm of political protest in Britain, public opinion split, Labour party opposed
What happened to Eden following the Suez crisis
Reputation fatally damaged, forced to resign
What was the consequence of the Suez crisis for Britain
Britain’s position in the world had a fundamental reassessment
Inability of the UK to act without at least the tacit support of the USA
The UKs position as a major world power was put under doubt
What was the Mau Mau rebellion
Violent nationalist uprising against British colonial rule, information about brutal treatment about brutal treatment of captives held at the Hola prison camp badly damaged Britain’s reputation
Which country was the first to be granted independence and when
Kenya 1957
When/Where was Macmillans “winds of change” speech
February 1960 in Cape town
What did Macmillans “Winds of change speech” signify
signified change in policy
calling for decolonisation and recognition of independence movements
How many went to Butlins for a holiday each week
60,000
what % of the population went on holiday abroad in the 1950s
less than 2%
When was ITV launched
1955
Why was there a surge in ownership of consumer goods in the 1950s
Hire purchase
Between 1957 and 1959 how much did the percentage of households owning a TV increase
32%
Between 1957 and 1959 how much did car ownership increase by
25%
What did the increase in car ownership lead to
Improved infrastructure(roads) including the novelty of motorways.
works for the Preston bypass began in 1958
Work for the M1 completed soon after
What was the “satire boom”
Large impacts through satire
Private eye established a loyal following
Who were the “angry young men”
Group of writers who rebelled against traditional theatre and literature showcasing bleak bitter and sarcastic work.
John Braines play “Look at the top”
What was the average age of marriage in the 1950s?
21
What percentage of woman were married
75%
What was family allowance
weekly benefit paid to women for each child to help ensure that women didnt have to work
When was equal pay for teachers achieved
equal pay for civil servants?
Equal pay for teachers in 1952
Equal pay for civil servants in 1954
When did the Empire Windrush come to England
May 1948
How many were on Windrush
492 migrant workers
What was the significance of Windrush
A symbol of a new period of African Caribbean immigration to England
How many people were migrating out of England and how many in
1.25M coming in
1.92M leaving
What were the 1958 Notting hill riots
Large mobs of white youths attacked African carribeans, police response exacerbated already strained relations
Which politicians encouraged hostility towards African Caribbean’s.
Oswald Mosley- leader of British Fascism
He used the 1959 election a platform for repatriation(returning someone to their place of origin)
When did boys no longer have to take part in the national service
1960
What % of the population were teenagers in 1959
10% of the population
Who were the Teddy boys
Most obvious youth subculuture aeen as a worrying phenomenon
What play showed new social issues
Sapphire in 1959 portraying sex, violence and racial tension
What book did penguin books publish and what did it cause
Lady chatterleys lover which was a sexually explicit novel that resulted in a high profile court case under the obscenity act that penguin won and 2 Million copies were sold
When did food rationing end
July 1954
