Political Changes- After War Flashcards
National Government and Consensus
Wall Street Crash 1929
Initiated the means to start the National Government in 1931.
$30 billion was lost in stock and share value.
America recalled loans, including the $35.1 billion loan given after WW1.
UK industries affected.
Ramsay MacDonald
Although resigned due to the Zinoviev humiliation and the 10% cut.
King George V persuaded MacDonald to pursue leader of the National Government.
Made the 10% cuts he wanted to make previously.
MacDonald called for a coalition and 67% of Britain voted for it in 1931.
As his health deteriorated, Baldwin took over after his resignation in 1935.
Stanley Baldwin
Leader of NG as a conservative.
Rocky start as he appeased fascist Italy, when pressed found out it largely damaged his image.
Threat of Nazis’s, said he would rearm in 1935 but didn’t which angered the public.
Protectionism was ineffective and served little purpose.
Did gain some support back when he stopped King Edward VIII from marrying an American divorcee.
Neville Chamberlain
1937-1939
‘Worst PM in history’
Munich Agreement 1938, flew to Hitler 3 times which conveyed submission and vulnerability.
Peace Treaty of which Hitler discarded.
Ordered children to be evacuated, ordered more aircraft defense.
Appeasement
‘Never meant to be a war minister’ John Charmley.
Resigned in 1939.
Winston Churchill
1940-1945
Greatest PM
King wanted Lord Halifax as PM as he would have fought the war with peace, but Churchill was a better candidate.
‘Blood, toil, tears and sweat’ speech won the support of the people by his honesty.
Designed a 5 man cabinet for quick decisions.
Dunkirk, 1940. 300,000 soldiers stuck on beach, only 50,000 could return. Saved the fittest and rescued 270,000.
America was the greatest help during the war. Churchill maintained communications, supplies and weapons.
What was the catalyst for the post war consensus?
Meat was still being rationed in 1954.
Children needed better support.
Unemployment and problems with healthcare.
What was the Beveridge report?
Written by William Beveridge in 1942, underlining key areas of which needed to change. 5 giants were named.
What were the 5 giants?
Squalor Disease Want Ignorance Idleness
What was done in order to face the problem of disease?
NHS 1948
Bevan, Minister of Health. Appointed by Clement Atlee.
What was done in order to face the problem of Squalor?
1946 New Towns act. 14 new towns were created by 1951. However 200,000 houses were meant to be built each year but it never happened. Over crowding was an issue.
What was done in order to face the problem of Ignorance?
1944 Education Act.
Raised leaving age to 15, gave children a secondary education.
All children had to do an 11+.
What was done in order to face the problem of Idleness?
Nationalization of all British industries, for example: gas, water, mining, electricity. Destroyed by Thatcher in her government, 11 million share holders.
Taxes allowed for unprofitable businesses to continue and provide unemployment, Similar to Stanley Baldwins protectionism.
1946 Dock Labour tried to end temporary dock which attracted people to skilled jobs, nationalization mostly benefited the unemployed.
What was done in order to face the problem of want?
Family allowance act 5 shillings a week, given to mothers.
National insurance act 1946.
5% of wages were used for protection if sickness occurred, old age pension introduced , unemployment benefit, maternity benefit, 1948 National Assistance act allowed poor to apply for extra benefits (£2 a week for married couples)
Why did the consensus fail?
1979 British voted to end consensus.
Thatcher wanted to destroy creeping socialism in conservative party and Britain.
Keynesian- borrowing to stimulate economy, went against view that government should aim to balance books, failing by 1970.
‘Free-Market’- prices/ wages left to market values so couldn’t change, public went on strike to keep nationalism, free-market led to lower wages and more productive workers, limited union powers.
