Lesson 8 - Social Changes

Question 1

What word describes the close agreement between the chancellor of the exchequer and the labour shadow chancellor?

Answer 1

Butskellism

Question 2

How much did wages rise by during the 50’s?

Answer 2

75%

Question 3

What was Britain like in the 50’s?

Answer 3

• A country still shaped by war.
• Britain’s social life looked at the past - regional and class loyalties were still strong. You could usually recognise a persons class or origins from their accent or dress.

Question 4

Who was responsible for implementing domestic policy?

Answer 4

Home Secretary, butler

Question 5

What’s an example of liberal domestic policy introduced under conservatives?

Answer 5

Homicide act in 1957

Question 6

What is consumerism?

Answer 6

The protection or promotion of the interests of consumers

Question 7

How were living standards like?

Answer 7

• men’s weekly wages were increasing (8.30 in 1951 to 15.35 in 1961)
• greater availability of credit (hire purchase) led to consumer boom
• unemployment rose during the 1950’s - just under 400k by 1957

Question 8

What was technology like?

Answer 8

• queens coronation was televised in 1953 - 56% of the population watched the event
• boom in car ownership - rose by 25$ between 1957 and 1960

Question 9

What was leisure like?

Answer 9

• foreign holidays were still enjoyed by less than 2% of the population
• 1957, 94% of British workers had annual two week holidays, better workers rights and wages.

Question 10

What was youth like?

Answer 10

• mods and rockers (youth groups) clashed, large scale riots in Brighton may 1964.
• teddy boys, another group wore old fashions and were seen as a challenge to older people.
• due to advancements in technology, younger people had more time for leisure and had more visibility in media.

Question 11

What was the establishment?

Answer 11

A term for an informal network of social and political elites. They were privileged people (mainly male). Politicians, diplomats, bishops.

Question 12

What was class like?

Answer 12

• working classes had more money now and started to get middle class attributes like cars and property ownership. This challenged ideas about class and social mobility
• Profumo affair, conservative MP slept with a soviet spy. This was exposed by the media and shows that the media no longer respected government privacy.

Question 13

What was the conditions for women like during this period?

Answer 13

• seen primarily as housewives
• family allowances paid to women to ensure they didn’t work.
• mortgages and bank accounts were in men’s names which made women financially dependent on men
  Some improvement
• equal pay for teachers 1952

Question 14

How far were the changes in 1950’s? (Positive)

Answer 14

• more homes built
• increase in car ownership and other luxury goods - consumerism
• baby boomers = new youth culture

Question 15

How far was the 1950’s a change? (Negative)

Answer 15

• There was still a class divide between cities and suburbs.
• women still expected to be wives and mothers. 1 in 5 worked
• rise of immigration and negative reaction