Influence Of The Labour Party And The 1918 Constitution

Question 1

What were Labour split on in 1914

Answer 1

Whether to support the war, they believed in the international cooperation of working class and were against war/militarism

Question 2

Who opposed war

Answer 2

Ramsey MacDonald, he was heavily criticised by the press for this

Question 3

Who was Arthur Henderson

Answer 3

1st Labour politician in the war cabinet, most labour did support the war

Question 4

What did Labour gain from the coalition

Answer 4

They gained influence over social policies:
-fixed rent which was rising due to war
-Stabilised food prices
These increased Labours credibility

Question 5

When did Labour end its cooperation with DLG and the coalition

Answer 5

In 1917 when Arthur Henderson was refused permission to attend the Stockholm conference

Question 6

What did labour being free from the coalition allow

Answer 6

Allowed Henderson to reorganise the party and put together policies for post war Britain, this uniting the party and making them stronger

Question 7

How was labour in a strong position after the war

Answer 7

• Trade unions membership doubled during the war (reached 8 Million)
• war widened the franchise for all men (bigger working class support)