Life After War Flashcards
When was VE day celebrated and what did it stand for?
On the 8th May 1945 (Victory in Europe)
What was Britain’s national debt at the end of WW2?
3500 million pounds
What was the fall in Britain’s gold reserves in 1945?
From 864 million pounds to 3 million
What proportion of Britain’s housing stock was destroyed in WW2, and what percentage of factories and shops?
A third of housing and 50% of factories and shops
How many military deaths were there in the second world war?
264,000
Why did rationing remain in place after the war?
Because Britain couldn’t afford to buy food from abroad
What was the basic rate of income tax after the war?
50%
What were the effects of the war on Wales?
It reminded Welsh people that they had their own distinct culture, with workers and troops moving to it during the bombing of other parts of the UK reminding it of its importance.
Who designed the demobilisation plan and when?
Ernist Bevin did in September 1944
What was the system of demobilisation?
Servicemen would be released based on their age and service number, which was indicative of how long they had served for
How many women and men were released from service in the 18 months after June 18 1945?
4.3 million
What challenges did those who served return to?
Food was still rationed, homes and work places had been damaged, and husbands and wives had to learn to live with each other again.
What was the name of the second blitz undertaken by the Germans starting in 1943?
Operation Steinblock
What were the flaws to Operation Steinblock?
Poor training and navigation, a shortage of aircraft, and effective anti aircraft defences.
What was the British nickname for operation Steinblock?
The babyblitz
How accurate were V Bombs?
Not at all: only about a fifth reached London (2419)
When was the last general election before 1945?
1935
What proportion of the electorate voted
24 million out of 33 million
When was the last time that the Labour Party had held power?
1931
What was the main obstacle to Labour Victory in the 1930s?
Fear of communism/ socialism
What was the difference between Labour and the Conservatives in the 1945 election?
Labour said they would introduce the Beveridge Report immediately
What outcome did people expect to the election?
For the tories to win because they had churchill, who was very powerful
When did voting begin and end?
It began on the 5th and ended on the 19th of July
You don’t need to memorise this but please appreciate it
Where did the Labour Party outdo the conservatives?
They promised to nationalise the main industries
What percentage of the vote did Labour and The Conservatives win?
48% and 40%
How much did the Conservative’s vote share fall?
-13.9%
What were the signs of Labour winning?
- They had been winning parliamentary seats since the war started
- Opinion polls showed that Labour’s lead had been increasing during the war
- Socialism was seen in a good light because of the role played by the USSR
What lead did Labour have over the Tories in 1943?
10-20%
What did Labour leaders wrongly do before the election?
Book their holidays, which they had to cancel
How many seats did Labour and Conservatives win?
395, and 215
What percentage of seats did Labour win?
Over 60%
What proportion of seats did the conservatives lose?
-13.9%
