P2- The Great War- Its Impact Politics- 1914-39 Flashcards
1914- lib- start of ww1
Lib debates whether to support war
Some shouldnt- not lib
Split lg and asquith in 1916- traditional and patriotic lib
Asquith try to appease both camps- wait and see policy and voluntary recruitment
Dora
Aug 1914
Defence of the realm act
Gov wide powers to introduce restructions on civilian pop at any time while britain at war
Press censorship- newspapers restricted in info allowed to print
Esp military disasters, mutiny in ranks, casulty figures manipulated, german destruction
Considered un-lib
Shell scandal
1915
On western front
Meetings between bonar law, lg (more con influence)
A resulted in sudden announcement of formation of coalition gov (con in cabinet influence)
‘Last liberal government in british history was killed within a quater of an hour’
Lg minister of munitions in new gov
Women work factories suddently 5x ammunition production
Total conscription
1916
Military service act- more right wing
Unmarried men 18-44 and close to retirement
Later conscription 18-44 married men
Easter rising also unsettled coalition
Resignition of lg and asquith
Lg wanted to introduce small war cabinet of 3 men in late 1916- bonar law, carson (ulster union), and lg- asquith not one of 3
Then accept idea after con threatedned to resign
Times criticised a as a weak leader and leads to a rejecting war cabinet
Lg and con cabinet minority resign
A resign to call lg bluff
Backfire- lg becomes pm
At time- terrible conditions, no end in sight, easter rising
Maurice debate
1918
Lg lied about how many british troops in fr
Asquith exposed it- public made clear lg lying
Q legit of lg
Further split lib hatred between two
1918 ge
Lg (coalition lib) and asquith (Asquith lib) against each other
Lib coalition did better- asquith lib 36 seats
Most seats con coalition- but still support lg
Issues divided lib during war
Conscription- lg total, a hold back
Intervention- should go to war
Censorship and dora
Maurice debate- falsification of tropps in france and luing
Election seperated a or coalition
Blame asquith for lib decline
‘Wait and see’ approach- indecisive
Frustrate patriotic lib- esp shell scandal
Wont serve in lg coalition= split lib
Put party first- stick lib principles- should have been abandoned in this context
Lg to blame for lib decline
1918 cont with coalitoin rather rewrite lib
Conscription and intervention in war- against lib principle
Put nation first
Issues damaged lg reputation 1922
Lab party- lost to working class, as rep of peoples act
Lib appeal educated class- noty many working class
Women over 30 more con
Assess how far lib decline inevitable by 1923
No but concerning signs
Lib decline inevitable by 1923- yes
Threat lab party- 1923- lab more votes
Lg fail reunite the party
Lg lib credentials lost- black and tans
Lib decline inevitable by 1923- no
Lab small diff
Could reunite after war
Didnt force coalition with labour
Lg could introduce pr but didnt
Lib gained in war
Lg man who won the war
Solved shell scandal- lg minister munitions
Dora pragmatic
1914- outbreak of war saved libs from civil war ireland and suffragettes- but ireland still problem
Lib died 1910-14
Dangerfield- the strange death of lib england 1935
Argued liberals couldnt handle agitation by ty, suffragettes and diff groups in ireland
Died ‘from disillusionment over the inefficacy of the word ‘reform’
Healthy lib party knocked out by ww1
Rejected dangerfield veiw
Wilson- downfull of the liberal party 1914-35
Tu , lab and suffragettes ‘symptoms of illness’
But ‘involved in an encounter within a rampant omnibus (wwi’
‘Never to rise agian’ struck old man down
More balanced interpretation- lib dead pre war
Lemieux- 1995
In 1914- ‘cannot be given a clean bill of health; many worrying signs were there’
Worst of union militancy over
Suffragettes attracted publicity but not a threat
Hol tamed parliament act 1911
Interventionists for war
Grey, asquith, churchill
Debt of honour owed to france- secret agreements
Hard line neutralists in 1914
Burns and morley
Resignition from gov after plan to intervene in war
Only morley, burns, trevelyan
Defects to labour due to war
Trevelyan
Ponsonby
Those who believed asquith not involved enough in war
Mond, dalziel, guest
Chief whipo role
Gulland- couldnt raise morale of backbenchers
War council
Set up nov 1915
Failyre
Inc balfour- rep con
Fisher resignation
1915
Failure campaign in turkey- lack coop between army and navy, poor intelligence and plannig
Beaverbrook historian suggest this initiated the crisis
Wilson perspective on crisis
Shell scandal than lord fisher resignition
Success of lg as minister of munitions
Official history stated- ‘he laid the foundations of the ministry’s productive capacity on a scale so vast taht it was almost sufficient…. To carry the country to the end of the war’
Lg pessimistic in 2015 on war
‘Too late in moving here! Too late in moving there!’
Asquith mistrust of lg
Wrote in 1917
‘I knew him to be incapable of loyalty or lasting gratitude’
Clashes in hoc between asquityh and lg
Debates on indian cotton duties, rep of people bill, irish conscription
1918 election
Lg and his supporters gained 47% vote, almost 70% seats
Opp party leaders lost seat- asquity, henderson, macdonald,
Coalition gov 1918-22- indsutrial relations
Keen to safegaurd peoples jobs- safegaurding industries act
Tarrifs on certain goods, as high as 33.3%- going against free trade lib pokicu
Shipbuilding, shells textiles esp tarrifs
Extention of national insurance helped to protect workers against unemployment- addison act
Lg and coalition 1918-22- land fit for heroes
Pledge in 1918
Education reform- 4 to 14
extended old age pensions
Addison housing act 1914
Wanted to reinstate reputation as a reformer
Sucess land fit for heroes
Fisher education act
Failure land fit for heros
Prisoner of tories
After war- council housing building almost stopped
Geddes axe- benefits, housing
Econ depression 1921- coalition
Unemployment increased from 400,000 to 2mill
Conservatives wanted to curtail benefits and housing
Ireland- coalition 1918-22
Sinn fein replaced hr in 1918 and had no support libs
Civil disobedience erupted in ireland between british army and ira
Lg ‘black and tans’ to supress violence
Truce called 1921 and peace deal negotaited with irish free state- anglo irish treaty
Question raised- lg negotiate with murder gang
Sucess ireland- coalition 1918-22
Truce called 1921 and peace deal
Irish free state formed
Ended a-i war
Failure ireland- coalition 1918-22
Repressed ireland- black and tans
Responding to civil dispbedience with british army
Foriegn policy russia- coaliton gov 1918-22
Support e, europe against bolsherviks- prepared to give arms to poland
Trade treaty with russia eased relations in 1921
Foriegn policy russia failed- coalition 1918-22
Went too extreme by arming poles
Lost popilar support
Alienate right wing with trade deal
Honours scandal- coalition gov 1918-22
Sold honours to raise funds- 50,000 peerage, 10,000 knighthood
Falure-
Illib
Repulsed many
Grayson criticiased- ‘national scanda;’
Sa robinson- commited fraud
Foreign policy turkey- coalition gov 1918-22
Uk backed greeks- ‘autocrats
Didnt go well, could gone to war against turkey
Could have draged into another ww
Looked dictatorial- danger rep
Privatisation of coal industry- coalition gov 1918-22
Sankey commisson nationalism- lg refuse
Was popular amongst coal niners
Mine owners protected profits by cutting wages- lead to strike- may never forgive lg
Sucess privatisation coal indsutry- lg coalition gov
Prevent general strike in 1921
Failure privatisation coal industry- lg coalition
Ignored sankey commisson
Coal niners never suppport lg- and w trukey, shift to lab
What led to fall lg 1922
Econ depression
Failure reconstruction- gedees axe
Tarrif alienated libs
Prblems with ireland
Foreign policy failures
Honours scandal- rooted in fact he lacked a political base after lib split
Con incrrease safer lg as libility
Sankey commission
Oct 1922
2-1 con dcide withdraw support lg
Lg left no10
Bonar law pm
1923- con
After bonar law pm, king chose baldwin to be next pm
First soley con gov since 1906
Sucess in housing polucy-neville chamberlain- though private bodies
Press in field foriegn polciy
1923-ge
Depression in 1921 increased unemployment- baldwin wanted to bring in protectionist tarrifs as way of tackling unemployment- needed mandate from public
Lib united temporarilyu against tarrifs
Results disaster for baldwin- 258 setaslib won 159, lab 191
What happens post 1923 ge
Baldwin happy for lab gov go qhad- lab couldnt be too radical as legislation blocked by con
Lib also hppe for labs to go already- beleieve would be a disaster
1924- macdonald lab gov
Minority not radical cabinet- 8 ministers public school educated - unable to introduce disarmament
Wheattly housing act
Old age penion
Dawes plan- foreign policu- macdonald involved in this usa loan
Main sucesse existance of gov at all
Addison act
1919 lg coalition
Aim to build 800,000 new homes
Establish concpet of local authority housing provision
Local authroties supported with money from central gov to buy up land and demolish slums
Addison act- analysis
Some diff local authroiteis reluctant to act
Shortage of naterials increased cist to £910 each, eventually down to £385
Limited by geddes axe
Built 120,000 by 1942
Good quality, sep rooms, garden
Local authority provision
Wheattly act
1924 lab
State subsidy set up by previos con gov increased from 6-£9 per house
Hosuing built rented, to benefit working class
Geenwood act
1930
Renewed subsidy for council housing building
Sped up clearinng of slums
Greenwood act analysis
1929
Wall st crash suspended between 1931-34
Lt 1939 more created and slums cleared, over 700,000 built
Fishers act
Education 1918 lg coalition
Elementary education only
School compulsory to 14
Free places for brighter children to continue education at secondary
Teacher wages doubled
Built new schools
Fisher act- analysis
Some local authroities chose not to provide shchol beyond 14
Number who stayed in education post 14 v low
After geddes axe- decreased education
Haddow report
1926 baldwin con
11+ to divide students from grammer schools and secondary modern
Some didnt implement pre 1944 due to cost
Haddow report- analysis
Contentious issue
No motiation secondary modern as no exams
1919 pension reform
Coalition
Doubled to 10 shillings/weei
Claimed at age 70
1924 lab went even further
1919 pension reform- analysis
Not many lived until 70
But life expectancy had increased by 6u
Didnt support dependancy
Widows, orphans and old age contributary pensions act
1935 balwin gov
Both employer and employee paid into pension support from gov
Can claim 10s from 65- extra money dependant children
Widows, orphans and old age contibutroy pensions act analysis
Compliant citizen
More forced saving
Lower age claim
Not that generous offerings
Tb act
1921
Onliged county and bororugh councils to provide sanatorial care and after care services to tb patients
Infected patients put in hospital to prevent spread of disease
Tb act analysis
Not cure or prevent
Only one disease
Dawson report
1920
Hospitals should be linked into state system
Origins nhs- took longer to come about
Local gov act
1929 baldwin
Ended and replaced por law with public artisan committes -pac
Run by local councils
Funded central gob
Workouses out of date- so good change
Unemployment act 1920
Cover those earning less than 250/year
Claiming 15 weeks, 15 shillings men, 12 women
Not for agricultural labour, domestic servants, self employed
Covers dependants
Ui act 1921
Lg coalition
Introduced uncovenanted beneift not required contributions- dole
Lt unemployed conc in certain areas for unrest
Paid for 2 peruids, 16 weeks, means tested
Ui act 1921- analysis
Expensive as unemployment increase, econ depression 1929
Gov help maintain those fell into high times
Increased dependancy
1924 ui act
Lab
Increased unemployemnt benefiist
Removed 16w block
Much more protectionist
Increased laziness
to what extent did the lives of women improve after 1914
Loa- limited extent
Social
Econ
Political
Lives of women improve after 1914- social- yes
Women in work- 700,000 in armaments factories- facilitated by opening of nurseries
Post war- increase accessiblity of household consumer goods- vaccuum cleaner- more leasure activities- time saved
Flappers 1920s- defied societal norms- masculine, wearing trousers, bob, smoking, going out
Without male chaperine financial and overall independence
1931 cofe legalsied contraception
Lives of women imrpove after 1914- social no
Restoration of prewar practises act 1919
Nurseries shut- virtually impossibly mothers to work
Encouraging women to make room returning men by leaving jobs
Flappers minority looked down upon in society
Traditions- modern women and women and home- ofer advice- female activities- knitting, cobweb, please husband through putting a ribbon in your hair, make sure house is tidy
Lives of women improve after 1914- econ pro
Sex disqual (removal) act 1919
No individ be disqualified by sex or marriage from the exercise of public function or judicial office
14,000 female magistrates, mayors, councillors by 1923- demand greater degree of financial, intellectual, personal independance
Increased democratic nature and fairness of society
Fisher education act- school leaving age increased to 14- increased prosperity women
Lives of women improve after 1914- econ pro
Sex disqual (removal) act 1919
No individ be disqualified by sex or marriage from the exercise of public function or judicial office
14,000 female magistrates, mayors, councillors by 1923- demand greater degree of financial, intellectual, personal independance
Increased democratic nature and fairness of society
Fisher education act- school leaving age increased to 14- increased prosperity women
Lives of women imrpove after 1914- econ- not
Marriage bar- teaching- give up once married, look after man and house
Gender pay gap- lack available jobs- increased dependence upon men to provide fr gem, meaning opportunity for improvement in lives of women were limited
1931- woems - had wages pre war half of men rate in most industry
Professional careers- stilll limited largely to middle class women only- could afford secondary education equired
Teaching and nursing could be seen as an extension of a womans role
Lives of women improve after 1914- political= yes
Rep of peoples act 1918- women over 30 homeowvers to vote- 8.4mill enfranchised womennow
Sex disqual act- women mps.
Constance markievich-1918- sinn fein so didnt take seat
Nancy astor 1919- support women movement in parliament- mp
Margaret bondfield- first female cabinet minister 1924
Lives of women improve after 1914- political no
Number of female mps peaked 15 in1931-1945- women not rep properly to any extent
Rep of people act- limited- over 30 and homeowver, likely to be con- middle class and marrie-d may hope on men to advise how to vote
Counterrat increased working class men with disqaul of 12 month residency act
Women war work facade
Not vote equal grounds until 1928
In work place- not ojin ty,p could not bargain for improvements in life
How macdonald gov able to come into gov
Few mp in war cabinety- expansion of credibility
Membership tu- doubled, more money- field 388 candidates
Asquithian lib lacked power
1911 parliament act
1913 tu fund parties
Knew wouldnt be able to be radical so baldwin allowed gov
Zinoviev letter
Oct 1924
Daily mail printed forged letter claiming to be zionviev
Believe plot with instruments from russia
Baldwin returned to power with majority- during election campaign
1924 fall lab gov
Fears what lab gov may do
Workers weakly newspaper- comm punlished an article calling from tropps not to fire on fellow workers during strikes- lab supported in court case- seen as siding with comm
Macdonald resigned
Why did lab gov fall power oct 1924
Zinoviev letter- belief plot with instructions from r- fear communism
Campbell case- workers weekly
Con benefit ww1
Most in st
Patriotic party- pre war attitues, german comp, navel race- ideology more at ease with war
Part of wartime cabinet- ‘saving the day’ important positions- bonar law- chancellor
Mainly con press
Initial inception of lib, ‘total war’ necessary- conscription
Fear socialism- edge more con
Won most seats 1019
Rep of peoples act 1019
A refuse join cabinet so could hav emore con
Lost out i n ww1- con
Divided econ collectivism- socialism, rank and file v coalition, 1917 corn production bill rationing
Unpop austin chamberlin- unable to control party- bonar law unpoopular- refused pm when lb offer step down 1924
Deteriorating state in ai relations
Bonar law accept hr, easter rising, sinn fein 1918 refuse hr, preservation of union at risk
Tarrif reform cont to be divided
Kept lg as pm- got credit rather than con
Labour benefit ww1
Most in long term
War required nationalisation- removed fear, shift attitudes- labour clause 4- helps socialists on board
Arthur henderson in coalition foot into office- legit and credible party
Became effective opp to coalition - 61 seats
Tu membership increased from 4-8 mill
Meant increased funds= fielded 388 candidtaes
Became more popular
Rep of people act 1918
Labour lost out ww1
Ramsey macdonald and arther henderson- fall out and not official split- pacificsm v pro war- did keep unity in party
Fear socialism- spartacists 1917, germany berlin 1919
Loss lib lab pact
61/388 candidates
Limitation labour st gains
Fear socialism
Kab unemp
Weaknesses of lab gov 1924
Minority
Not radical- 8 ministers public school- unable introduce nationalisation or disarmament
Only lasted 10 months
Problems project party as national, seen as for working class
Econ problems 1 mill unemp before 1924
Strengths lab gov 1924
Old age pensions and unemp benefits increased
Wheattley housing act
Dawes plan
Existance lab gov- creditable
Representation of the peoples act 1918- main terms
All males over 21 could vote
Servicemen over 19 vote in next election
Constituencies made approx equal in no votes- 70,000
No seats in commons increased 670-707 to accomodate larger electroate
Conscientious objectors had right to vote suspended for 5y after war
Abolition of household qualification 12 months
30+ women
Impact of rep of peoples act
Size of electorate x3
Why did rep of poeples act pass with limited opp
Fear mps targeted- suffraggetes
Duty and uscess women in war
Lab support
Arguments for vote ranted due to war work
Women did work -proved what could do
Munitions shortage helped with
Drove buses
Farmers- prevented starvation 1917 london 6 weeks from starvation due to econ blocades
Let the women work out their own salvation
Marwick
War work justification for women getting vote- aganst
Women under 30 did most war work
France women war work but didnt get vote until 1940s
Qasquith used to save face
Bartley
Fear suffrage movement- women got vote
1918 end of war, fear suffragette militancy restart- escalation pre-war
Holton
1917 russian rev- making prospect of chaos and actions relevant
Suffraegttes on agenda pre war- getting women vote
Fear suffraggete movement- against justify vote
Emmeline pankhurst tagreted and sent to paris
Many suffragettes excluded
Alienated themselves
influence of lab gave women vote
Counteract impact of working class men voting- fear of lab party and socilaism
More threat of lab- second party after lib
Influence lab women got vote- no
7 seats won 1918- minimal threat
Unlikely to be a threat- societal threat of russ rev, never been in power
Lab- masculine party
Attitudes- reason why women vote
Changed pre war attitudes
Hoc was gpt
Attitudes women got vote- no
98/142 politicians survival depended on
Lord curzon seemed changed but wanted to avoid crisis between hol and hoc
Housing acts 1934-39 terms
More than 1 mill council houses bulit, 3 mill by private sector
Many had electricity and open fires
1/3 poorest families had prospect of first owned home
Analysis housing acts 1934-39
Icreasingly one child= more teddy bear
More time spent with family- eg living room nicer to be inside
Haddow report terms
1926 baldwin
Divided education seocndary and grammar schools 11=
Secondary leave with no former qual
Haddow reprot analysis
Contentious issue
No motiavton as no exams at end
Widows, orphans and old age contributory pensions act terms
1925 baldwin con
Both employer and employee payed into pension, supported by gov
Gained extra 10 shillings, extra money dependants, could recieve at 65
Widows orphans and old age contibutory pensions act analysis
Contributory system
Critics calimed more akin to forced savings than gov support
Lower age claim
Not that generous
Local gov act
1929 baldwin
Ended and repaced poor law with public assistance committes
Run by local councils but funded central gov- workhouses out of date
Unemploywment act 1934
10% cut 1931 reversed
Pac replaced uad- unemployed affirmative board
In may areas rate paid less than rate paid by local pacs
Protests broke out in mining areas of s wales
1927 unemployment insurance act
Con
Ended destinction covented and uncovented benefit- benefit had to be paid for those genuinley seeking workeers
National gov- why proposed cuts unemployment
Snowden proposed 10% - restore benefits level paid pre 1924, cost of lib decreased, min impact
Balanced busged- if not - banking in ny and paris unwilling lend money to britain money it needed
Keynes suggested leave gold standard
Ultimate decision unemployment benefits 1931
Macdonald proposed £56 mill cut back and 10% cut unemp
Snowdon wanted £18 mill and 10%
Henderson unhappy
11v9 cabinet split
Why henderson aganist 10% cut
Saw working class as victims of capitlaism- unaeptable for labour to punish further
Macdonald betrayed his party- key arguments
Y- party, working class, vantity, promises
N- patriotism, king, cross party support, no plan
macdonald betrayed party- y
Made coalition gov with con- lucifer of left
Not followed socialist econ policu but allowed influence orthodox capitalist thinking- too much influence to anti socialist finacnes who made up the may comm
Con most gained from coalition
Attlee- the greatest political betrayal in the history of this country
Expelled party sep 1931- henderson leader
Macdonald betray- working class- y
Betrayed by pushing cuts on unemp bens hitting those people experiencing most hardship
Macdonald betray- vanity
Ajp taylor- few repudiate the title of savior when it is offered to them
Some class vain and snobbishnes-s lost touh with working class routes - ‘selling out to upper class collegues’
Macdonald betray- promises
Specifically promised not to call a ge and almost immediately broke this pledge- not reisgned but fpugh election on con with nat gov
Had been planning for months
Macdonald betray- n- patriotism
Ajp - ‘primary motivation was patriotism’
9 cabinet ministers refused tgo accept cuts to unemp who betrayed nation
M realistic after econ crisis
Used as scapegoat for failure of lab- internationalist remove socilaist govc
Macdonald betrayed- no- king
Requested m stay when tried to reign seen as desertion
Gv- bagdonor- ‘was not merely the facilitator; but was ‘the instugator of nat gov’
Neville chamberlain with king urged baldwin to support nat gov0 coalition split lab
Lg hospitalp, king coalition advisable with departure
Macdonald betray- cross party support
Con back in gov
Lib avoided cost election
Macdonald not betray- no plan
As intended to resign
Abdication crisis- what happened
George v died jan 1930- loved for unchanging traditions
Son in turmoil- wanted to marry wallis simpson- american , divorcee
Commoner, constitutionally impossible- cofe as monarch is head, dont allow divorccee remarry- opposed by archbishop of canterbury
V diff from father
Youthful- oppose traditionas, charismatic and popular, moderniser- spoke directly to people, visist trenches war
Something must be donw- sw
Role of gov/baldwin in abdication crisis
Ordered specilaist branch to spy- found called each other darling, lady seemed to have him under her thumb
Baldwin opposed morganatic marriage- simpson not queen, children ot inherit
Asked empire- claimed unanimous against- yet nz said yes prefer against abdication
Times- ‘in handling a great national crisis…he has no comparible rival’
Maintained stability in britain at all times
Highly prominant role in persuading edward to abdicate and therefore avoided issues eg with nazis
Kept out of press- self-censorship
Why/how fascism emerged 1920 and 30s
Formed in 1932 by moseley
Backing from lord rothermore- owner daily mail
194 membership peaked 50,000
Atracted london and n cities- mainly working class men
Some middle class eg harrogate
Moseley aristocratic- inherited sir, good orator, spoke about decreasing unemployment
Disillusionment with traditional politicla parties
Collapse lab 1931, failure nat gov to save the depression disillusionment with main parties
Fascism grwoing in ger and italy
Mosely antisemitism attracted some- peoeple used as scapegoat ussr
why fascism failed to gain support
Mosely figure of fun, not taken seriously
Repulsed by racism and untisemitism
1925 BUF membership fell 5,000
Lord rothermore withdrww backing in 1934 after violence struck out at buf ralley
Anti nazi feeling growing in britain
No mps
Battle cable st- antisemitism and violence
Disorganised
Communism- why/how emerged
Created buf 1932- fear fascism- as fascism increased in europe
Several tu leaders comm party members or sympathisers
Spread influence through the press- the daily worker- campbell case
Membership peacked 18000
Had 2 mps
Comm helped form natioal unemployed workers movement and helped w ‘hunger marches
2.8 illl unemp 1932, jarrow 72% unemp- march to london to petition backed by campbell
Deliberately disruptet meeting of buf
Founded 1920, survived until 1990s
Young ideologues appealed to
Communism why failed
Peacked at 18,000 members
Deliberately disrupt meeting sof buf
Opp from more moderate union leaders- ernest benin
Lab party refused to allow cpgb to affiliate or work with them- zinoviev letter and campbell case
Police cracked down on comm led demonstrations and secret service kept close eye on them
Incitement to disaffected act 1934- enabled prosecution of political extremists- hitler increasing in power- night of the long knives
Minimal threat of extremism
British culture dont like rev0 marr
Not hit as hard by econ as europe- spain civil war, germany hyperinflation and tub
1937 butlins opened skegness-working class indicate getting better
Cable street
1936
100,000 signed petition against fascist march (antisemitic in jewish area)
Gov stand by order to 3000 police
Protesters attacked police
Mosley and buf persuaded to leave
Attitudes changing in interwar peroid
Mass unemployment affected attitudes and beliefs
State had to get more involved to allieviate powers and management of econ- eg 1934- free milk in schoools
Some political apathy and rise of extremism- fascism and communism
Divorce rates increase- women could divorce on basis of adultery
Brith rates fell
Bbc and radio impact on society
Bbc formed 1922- managed by rieth
1939- 9 mill licences held- people got news same source- national consciousness
1926- gov used to get across message about how general strike should be resolved
1931- harold macmillan used radicals to attack gov over means test
Only men could speak on radio
Cinema attendance increased and why
Became a respectable place to vist
People sought escapism
Popular all classes- 80% unemp in glasgow went atleast 1x week
N and s national consciousness
Literature and magazines in interwar period
More socialist messages- orwell and jb presitly- beacme critical of pre war induttsyr
Still conservative- lady chatterly lover banned until 1960s
Large increase women magazines- fashion, clothes pattersne xt- big focus on home with happy husband
1939- 3 mill of ‘women’ were sold
Stanley baldwin a sucess
Loa y
Personality and polityics
Electoral and party
Crisis- abdication and general strike
Personality and policies- stanley baldwin- y
Smoked a pipe while making speeches- more persoablem normal
1937 reigned at time of own choosing only one of 3 in 20th c not due to health, electoral defeat or party revolt
Seen as the power behind throne of national gov- under macdonald as leader and ecnouraged moderate con policies to sucessfully maintain gov unity
Churchill- most formidable politician i have ever encountered in public life
Reassuring figure to british people- bbc radio- baldwin was the first british politician to become tryley familiar to the voting public
Local gov act- remove poor law and workhouses- on side of working class
Expand raf and whit epaper 1935 to rearrm
Divroced women allowed to have custody of children- now can divorce on grounds adultery
1928 equal franchise act- women vote same as men at 21
personality and politics- baldwin sucess- no
Ajp taylor- ‘under baldwin there was to be no protection, no class warfare possible there was to be nothing at all’
Depicted by several historians as lazy man of mediocre ability with no major legilsatyure achievemen
Little interest in foreign policu= most 6w on walks in fr
Slow on rearming
Baldwin- sucess- electoral and party- y
Showed imagination appt of churchill as chancellor in 1924, kept his party united for interwar period
1935-majority of over 250 under nat gov0 con won 388/432 nat gov seats
Used radio to speak to electorate
‘He had his feet on our fenders
Up to half electorate heard broadcasts in 1935
Claimed to be on side of working class better than labour -many believed
Maintained unity combining key protectionists-amery, pro-free trade churchill
1924- majority 200
Lucky to survive as con leader after results of two gen elections which produced lab gov
Baldwin failure- electoral and party
‘Safety first’ electoral strategy 1929- uninspiring and complacent, esp criticised by press barons- beaverbrook and rothermore- implies moral panic
Absesnce of skilled politicians win own o=party- personalities eg lord curzon and austin chamberlain too controversial- default so not skilled himself
Baldwin- sucess- crisis
Abdication crisis
-forced king choose between monarchy and marriage- avoiding constitutional crisis
-wallis simposin controversial
-stood up to king and threatened resignition of gov if marriage went ahead
1937- times- in handling a great national problem, he has no comparible rival
Gs overcame- subsidy 9 months, oms managed, only lasted 6 days
baldwin failure- crisis
General strike- used militany, not on side working class
Abdication
Solved by edward agree to step down rathr than baldwin
Lied about comonwealth lack of suport- nz pro but did help to convince
Public support for leader during war
Kitchener idolised- but drowned
Replaced by lg- preferred than asquith wiat and see
Gallipoli campaign
Undermined confidence in churchill and britian- churchill prinicpal originator made scapegoat
Naval bombardment revealed to the turks the weakness of their defences
The two labour admin 1924+1929-31 were both failures
Loa- failed to partial extent
Criteria - rep working class and increase support
Econ
Society
Politics
The two labour admin 1924+1929-31 were both failures- econ nio
Greater sucess 2nd gov
1924 unemp act remove 16 week cap on benefits payments supporting longer term unemploywed- injured or ill
Land utilisation and agriculture market act 1931- market boards, help producers arrnae supplies more efficienty and fair prices, helps econ more broadly as more produce grown and distrubuted
London transport act 1930- piblic corporation responsible for provision of cheap and efficient transport in london- improve commute many workers boosting econ as benefit greater worker productivity
Econ advisory comm 1930
Econ target for a balanced badget and goov spending endevour achieve stability
Exit gold standard 1931 pegged 10% too high
The two labour admin 1924+1929-31 were both failures- econ - yes
Split cabinet 11v9 over 10% cut unemp benefits spur macdonald resignation and formation of national gov
Cuts due to unemp act 1924 increased amount payed as well as wall st crash 3mill unemp
The two labour admin 1924+1929-31 were both failures- society no
Wheatly housing act 1924- increase state sibsidies for council houses
Greenwood housing act 1930- increase subsidies and slum clearance
Coal mines act 1930 decrease hours from 8 to 7.5 peer day
Great opportunity for leisure
The two labour admin 1924+1929-31 were both failures- society yes
Coal mines act appeasemnt after general strike and miners strike 1928
Minimal improvements due to minority gov 191 1924 and 287 in 1929- so some reforms such as raising school leaving age and capping working hosurs to 48 hours per week sidelined
The two labour admin 1924+1929-31 were both failures- yes politics
Socialist fears ended first gov in 9 months= esp rising middle class
Campbell case and zinoviev letter
1929-31 macdonald lucifer of the left, coalition with largely con cabinet- split lab
The two labour admin 1924+1929-31 were both failures— no politics
King geogre v refused macdonald reisgnation so called nat gov
Bagdonor- king ‘not merely the facilitator’ ‘but the instigator of the nat gov
A nat gov suggests no party capable vcoping on own
1924- 8 public school educated members in cabinet helped make more moderate and less radical seemed as viable option
Geddes axe iimpact education
25% of classes had over 60 pupils in despite reports suggesting capped at 30
Honours scandal examples of who got titles
William vesty- wartime tax dodger
Joseph robinson man convicted of fraud
Lg placated dockers how in 1921
Nat minimum wage and 40 hour week
How many working days lost in 1921
85mill
Agricultural wages regulation act
Restored min wages for agricultural workers and empowered county councils to fix wages in their regions
Parks
Tennis courts and playgrounds installed in bushey, richmond and regents parks
Campbell case what was published
Incitement to mutiny- in open letter- ‘turn your weapons on your oppressors
Churchill and the gold standard- blame?
Advised to do so by the treasuiry
Losing of markets for coal
Poland and japan low cost alternatives for coal purchase
Adoption hydroelectric power in italy lost britain
Who suggested 10% cut unemp benefits
May comm
Lack of rearmament by britain
Feb 1937 chief of staff reported by may 1937 luftwaffe 800 bombers, raf 48
Who opposed of king marrying
Lab and lib, tuck, dominion australia and canada
Greenwood housing act sucess
Rehoused 80
5 slum dwellers
Organisations for unemployed
National unemployed workers movement
Give advice against means test
Stop blacklegging during strikes
Shifts in media support
Daily mirror to lab
Daily herald fund tuc begin rival express for circulation by aug 1939
Baldwin and bonar law businessmen, macdonald former tu agitator and lawyer
Lack of trust labour during war
Henderson on war mission to russia, came to conflusion stockholm conference should be supported- socialist groups meet to discuss peace terms
Yet lg refued allow to go
Why coupon election called it
Selected gov who suported coalition gov given a letter or recomendation- or coupon- signed jointly by lg and bonar laqq
New labour constitution
1918
Inc clause 4
Grew local labour patries and organisation
Growth of support for labour from unexpected groups
Middle and yupper class menace nd women such as trevelyan and addison ex lib who liked fp idealism
Labour not comunist
1920-22 labour party conferences rejected overwhelmingly 3 attempts by recently formed birtish comm patry to affiliate
Why was 1922 election signif for lib
Lib even w lg not impressive
Lab now 2nd party
Most old leaders back in commons- inc clydeside group inc wehatly
More national party both egorgaphically and soicallily- with strengtyh in yorkshire nad london, tu only formed half parlaiemtary memberhsip
Not a radical 1924 cabinet
Only one left winger lansbury given major post in go
Miners strike slogan and leader
Aj cook- not a minute on the day, not a penny on the pay
General strike could be called
Quasi political weapon
Quote for macdonald econ policy
‘ we are of one mind’ ‘We intend to balance the budget’
Macdonald not a traitor quote
Bassett- he was moved primarily by his sense of duty
Spread labour policy
Policy sub comm- prominant figures inc dalton and morrison
Published prgramems such as ‘for socialism and peace’ 1934 and ‘labours immediate proramme’ 1937- much of legislation of 1945 lab gov
Lab sucess in london
Gained control of london county council 1934
Won ten by elections 1931-35- inc east fulham
1918 benefit labour?
According to tanner 76% working class vote before 1914
But it was redistribution clauses which helped- through creating new working class constituencies in llondon, mining areas and northern industrial towns
Growing working class consciousness
Greater unity industrial workers
Impact of russian rev
Immediate posty war= growing division between capital and lab in key idnsurties esp coal mining
How many lab candidates supported tu
1918 200/400 approx
Why lack liberal sucess
With increasing class polarisatioon
Libs lacked any definite class basis or class appeal
Adelman
Post home rule lacked trad link between irish nationalist party
Liebrals split
1935 under sir samuel, sir simon an lg familu party of for
1929 lib campiagn
We can conquer unemp
Perhaps played into lab hands by highlighting problem
Iossue with zinoviev letter
Ramsey macdonald was advised by foriegn office to deal with it as if it was true
Joeseph chamberlain support
Our joe. -after welfare reofmrs
