Life after War Flashcards
LIFE AFTER WAR
what was the economic position of britain like in 1945?
- the national debt had risen from £760 million to £3500 million. Britain had spent close to £7 billion on the war
- britain lost 30% of its total wealth
- 1/3 houses had been destroyed by bombing
- rationing remained in place until 1955 as britain could not afford to buy food from abroad
- income tax was raised to 50% to help the govt pay for post-war destruction
LIFE AFTER WAR
what had national debt risen to after the war?
from £760 million to £3500 million
LIFE AFTER WAR
when did rationing remain in place until after the war?
1955
LIFE AFTER WAR
what was the impact of the war on Wales?
- optimism was felt because many people had experienced life in Wales for the first time and so this exposure led to a recognition that Wales had a distinct identity from the rest of Britain
- around 15000 welshmen were killed in the war
LIFE AFTER WAR
why was demobilisation introduced?
in 1945, there were 5 million men and women in the armed forces, so it was a challenge to bring them all back into civilian life
LIFE AFTER WAR
who designed the demobilisation plan?
Ernest Bevin, and it began 6 weeks after the war ended
LIFE AFTER WAR
what was Bevin’s plan for demobilisation?
- military personnel were released in order, based on the length of their service and age.
- Soldiers with key roles who were vital to the reconstruction of Britain were released ahead of their turn
- release priority was also given to married women or men over the age of 50
LIFE AFTER WAR
what challenges did conscripts face when they returned home?
- food was still rationed
- homes/work places were destroyed
- some returned psychologically affected
- the post war divorce rate was extremely high, with over 60,000 applications processed in 1947
LIFE AFTER WAR
what was some economical war damage that britain experienced?
- the declining economy was unable to match the USA
- pressures of demobilised soldiers needing jobs
- shortages of food meant rationing had to continue
- britain had lost 30% of its total wealth
LIFE AFTER WAR
what was some social war damage that britain experienced?
- rising divorce rates
- food shortages and long queues
LIFE AFTER WAR
what was some war damage to do with housing that britain experienced?
- towns and cities such as swansea were heavily bombed
- 20% of schools/houses were destroyed or needed repairing
- in some houses there was lack of running water
LIFE AFTER WAR
when was the election after the war?
5th July 1945
LIFE AFTER WAR
why was the result of the election after the war a surprise?
because many thought that Churchill would have been voted in due to his popularity and success as a leader during the war but labour secured a landslide victory.
LIFE AFTER WAR
can you describe the campaign of the conservative party? (manifesto title, main policies and any details)
manifesto title: Mr Churchill’s declaration of policy to the electors
Main policies:
- comprehensive insurance scheme
- NHS
- full employment
- education improvements
- housing improvements
the manifesto emphasised the need for continuity of churchill and the posters shows the reliance on him
LIFE AFTER WAR
can you describe the campaign of the labour party? (manifesto title, main policies and any details)
manifesto title: let us face the future
main policies:
- comprehensive insurance scheme
- NHS set up immediately
- full employment
- education improvements
- nationalisation of the bank of England
