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Britain Transformed 1918-2000 > Political environment 1918-1931 > Flashcards

Political environment 1918-1931 Flashcards

1
Q

Why did Britain face economic problems in the interwar years?

A
  • Effect of WW1 on trade, value of money, debt + on Britain falling behind in tech. development.
  • Bad management of economy in 1920s by govt.
  • Rise of TUs.
  • Depression after 1929.
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2
Q

Was the Liberal Party ever big?

A

Yes, it was traditionally one of the biggest parties, in and out of power since 1900; had basically been govt. ‘til 1922.

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3
Q

When did the Liberal Party disappear completely?

A

1980s

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4
Q

Who was the prime minister from 1908-1916?

A

Herbert Asquith, leader of the Liberals.

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5
Q

Who replaced Herbert Asquith?

A

David Lloyd George, 1916. He was also a liberal.

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6
Q

Why was Herbert Asquith replaced?

A

Ineffective war leader- indecisive conscientious objector. Hadn’t been decisive enough to implement things like conscription.

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7
Q

What did David Lloyd George implement during WW1?

A

The Defense Of the Realm Act (D.O.R.A)

  • Dilute beer so people didn’t work drunk
  • Restrict licensing hours of pubs-12pm-3pm + 6:30pm-9:30pm
  • British Summer Time Act 1916
  • Govt. control of mines and railways
  • Rationing & Censorship
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8
Q

Why was D.O.R.A a sensitive topic for the Liberals?

A

D.O.R.A took away basic freedoms such as flying kites as they attracted Zeppelins. Seen as illiberal by Libs who still supported Asquith but as necessary by D.L.G.
ROOT CAUSE IN THE LIBERAL DECLINE

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9
Q

What was the Maurice Debate?

A

9th May 1918: Gen. Maurice, supported by Asquith, accused D.L.G of lying about British troops being depleted during German attack under heavy bombardment + siphoned off to serve in Palestine.

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10
Q

What happened during the Maurice Debate?

A
  • Asquith read out list of facts and statistics about how D.L.G was corrupt and done wrong etc
  • D.L.G, an excellent orator, defended himself by revealing figures he’d used had come from Maurice’s own department at War Office.
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11
Q

What was the result of the Maurice Debate?

A
  • Cemented 2-way split between Party: 71 D.L.G Liberals vs. 98 following Asquith into division lobby.
  • AJP Taylor said: The liberals were committing suicide.
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12
Q

What was the Representation of the People Act 1918 and how did it affect the Liberals?

A
  • Gave women over 28 the vote; ensured all men over 21 could vote.
  • Electorate extended by 13 million; 80% electorate = young, working class men, but Libs. never appeal to ‘em
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13
Q

Why was the Representation of the People Act not that significant as a factor for the Liberal decline?

A
  • Failed to capitalise on FPTP System, but only affected them in 1930s when Libs=nothing.
  • Workers’ vote didn’t increase so much that it could cause decline in Lib seats.
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14
Q

Why did the Coupon Election of 1918 occur?

A
  • Vote either Asquith Libs or coalition; split might’ve deterred ppl from voting for Libs
  • Letters of endorsement sent to candidates supporting coalition nicknamed ‘Coalition Coupons’.
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15
Q

What was the result of the Coupon Election for the Coalition parties ?

A
  • Tories- 335 seats; George- 133 seats

- Tory revival- not govt for 25 years- won ‘22 election

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16
Q

How was D.L.G beset by scandal in 1922?

A
  • Nat. paper revealed he’d been selling knighthoods for £10,000 each, refused to share w/libs if they disagreed w/him
  • Threatened Turkey w/ war over Chanak
  • Both damaged his credibility- British WW1 hero was gone.
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17
Q
  1. What was the Chanak Incident?

2. Why was it so significant?

A
  1. Turks want to take Chanak from Greeks. DLG = pro-Greek + wanted war; MPs = pro-Turk and didn’t; D.L.G threatened it anyway.
  2. Ppl still felt effects of WW1; War still a very sensitive issue- ppl thought he was an out of touch warmonger.
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18
Q
  1. How did the Representation of the People Act change proportion of votes between Labour and Liberals from 1910 to 1923?
  2. How did Labour policies improve their votes?
  3. By how much did the Lib share of votes fall in ‘24?
A
    • Liberals: 43.9% –> 29.6%
    • Labour: 7.1% –> 30.5%
  2. Effectively adapted to new areas of electorate; took votes from Libs.
  3. Supported minority Labour govt. in 1924, but Lib. share fell by 12%.
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19
Q

How did finance affect the downfall of the Liberal Party?

A

Lacked funds to run successful campaigns/field many candidates in 1922, 23, 24 elections, partly due to DLG witholding them unless he was given full support.

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20
Q

Were the Liberals ever able to recover after 1922?

A

No:

  • D.L.G. only able to reunite Libs in ‘26, after Asquith resigned
  • Libs never formed govt. again
  • D.L.G creates The Yellow Book (manifesto) after ‘22: Solve increasing lack of investment in industry, solve growing problem of unemployment; nobody cared
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21
Q
  1. What was D.L.G’s coalition government of 1918-1922 made up of?
  2. When did the Tories withdraw from the coalition?
A
  1. Dominated by Tories- 335 Tories vs 133 D.L.G. Liberals

2. 1922; they then won the subsequent election.

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22
Q

1920s elections- Tories

A

1923: Tories lose overall majority but remain largest party in Parliament w/258 seats vs. 191 Lab. + 158 Libs.
1924: Tories won election w/large majority.
1929: Tories lost election but no party had overall majority.

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23
Q

Did the Tories get involved in the National Government in 1931?

A

Yes: became dominant party until 1945 when Lab. won by landslide w/’Let us face the future’ manifesto

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24
Q

HOW CHANGES IN THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM HELPED THE CONSERVATIVES: What was plural voting?

A

Until 1948, you could vote in 2 constituencies if you owned property in each, or if you lived in one and went to uni in another.

25
Q

HOW CHANGES IN THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM HELPED THE CONSERVATIVES: Why did plural voting help the Conservatives?

A

Allowed businessman, wealthy, and uni students to vote twice, all of whom had a Tory bias.

26
Q

HOW CHANGES IN THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM HELPED THE CONSERVATIVES:
Why were constituency boundaries redrawn after WW1?

A
  1. Due to sheer volume of casualties of WW1, some constituencies had >60,000. This gave gr8r representation to middle class suburbs- Tory-biased people who owned their property
27
Q

HOW CHANGES IN THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM HELPED THE CONSERVATIVES:

  1. When was the First Past The Post (FPTP) electoral system initiated?
  2. How was the FPTP system unfair?
A
  1. 1918
    • It took almost 16k votes to get a Tory MP
      - Almost 30k for Labour MP
      - Around 26k for Liberal MP
28
Q

HOW CHANGES IN THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM HELPED THE CONSERVATIVES: How did Parliament lose some MPs and how did this benefit the Conservatives?

A

1921: Irish Free State gained independence –> loss of 80 Irish Nationalist MPs who’d supported Libs. Tories continued to receive support from 10 N. Irish MPs.

29
Q

How did divisions in the opposition help the Tories?

A
  • Liberal division
  • 1918, Coupon coalition
  • Labour- difficult to establish themselves outside working class heartlands, helped by socialism fear
  • 1931: Labour ÷ over how to handle economic crisis; decimated in gen. election of 1931.
30
Q

How effectively were the Tories organised in terms of reputation (compared to other parties)?

A

‘Party of property’- lots of funds: field more candidates, distribute party materials more widely + exploit new tech e.g. cinema to spread message

31
Q

How effective was the image the Tories projected in the interwar years?

A

Rebrand of Tories began in 1870s with Benjamin Disraeli: shift from wealth + privilege to ‘One Nation Tories’- promoted empire, patriotism, + nat. defence. Move attracted working class as planned.

32
Q

How effective was the image Stanley Baldwin projected in the interwar years?

A
  • Straight-talking man image, could be seen as dull- ‘safety first’ campaign.
  • Fortune in steel ind; ran factories fairly + promote working relationships ‘tween bosses + workers.
  • Rep. 4 economic competence, got support of traditional voters + attracted wealthy mid class Libs.
  • 1922: supports free trade, stealing policy that united Libs, b4 returning to Protectionism in 1924.
33
Q

How did Labour develop in interwar British politics?

A
  • 1918 Gen. Election: Had 57 seats
  • Dec 1923: 191 seats- formed minority govt. w/158 Libs
  • 1929: 287 seats- minority govt; lasts ‘til 1931
  • 1931: 46 seats- Lost many of its leading figures
34
Q

POSITION OF LABOUR IN 1918:

  1. When was Labour formed?
  2. What did the Labour Party emerge from?
A
  1. Formed 1900; youngest major party
  2. Emerged from Labour Rep Committee of Trade U. Congress (TUC)- closely tied to unions wanting representation to advance worker’s cause.
35
Q

POSITION OF LABOUR IN 1918: further facts

A
  • Won seats b4 1911 but in this year law passed letting MPs to receive a wage- more w. class rep
  • ROPA tripled electorate, incl. nearly all working men
  • Wartime saw massive increase in TU membership- 1915: 4.3M; 1918: 8.3M
36
Q

Why was the Labour Party able to develop in interwar politics?

A
  1. Developed grassroots organisation- let Labour be a political force w/genuine base of support
  2. Developments- voting + the franchise- weakened Libs but strengthened Labour
  3. Independence from the Liberals
  4. Preserved party unity- significant in context of Lib decline
37
Q

PRESERVED PARTY UNITY (Labour): Working class appeal

A

Formed via TUC; had strong sense of class consciousness amongst ind. workers: they could make serious claim of repping w. class + giving it political identity, receiving working man’s loyalty.

38
Q

PRESERVED PARTY UNITY (Labour): Division during the war

A

Strongly ÷ on supporting war effort; unified on issues affecting working class, e.g. pensions. Division healed in 1917 when Labour ministers resigned from war coalition

39
Q

PRESERVED PARTY UNITY (Labour): Leadership between 1914-1917

A

Effective leadership of Arthur Henderson 1914-1917 down to ability to reflect consensus view of Labour movement. 1st Labour leader to gain cabinet representation.

40
Q

DEVELOPED GRASSROOTS ORGANISATION- How was Labour funded and did they have any local party branches?

A
  • Union backing gave/controlled funds + membership–> Labour develops National political machine; distortion of funds 4 campaigns in winnable areas e.g. mining communities
  • 1917: Made local party branches- by 1924 only 19 constituencies didn’t have one—> gave ‘em national id + let ‘em field similar no. people as Tories in ’20s elections.
41
Q

DEVELOPMENTS IN VOTING AND THE FRANCHISE (Labour)

A
  • Rep of P Act 1918: Tripled electorate, included more working class voters + women. How much it swayed voters to Labour is unclear.
  • 1918 Gen. Elect. heavily influenced by patriotism: Lab. MPS who took popular anti-German line triumphed, others w/more pacifist line crushed.
42
Q

INDEPENDENCE FROM LIBERAL PARTY (Labour):

  1. What kind of relationship did Liberals and Labour have prior to 1914?
  2. How did Labour distance themselves from the Liberals after 1914?
A

1- Close links b4 1914 as both were left-wing
- Libs senior members in this unofficial partnership

2- Lab makes sep. identity from Libs by promoting free trade, internationalism and social reform

  • Made constitution in 1918, tying itself to nationalisation of key industries
43
Q

INDEPENDENCE FROM LIBERAL PARTY (Labour):
1. How did Labour’s separation from the Liberal Party affect its stance in 1923?

  1. How did Labour improve its reputation with its government of 1923?
A
  • More ruthless approach in elections w/aim to establish independent identity. Capitalised on Lib splits + sweep up former Lib support in 1923
  • Gained rep of economic caution + competence in foreign affairs, disproving Libs discrediting of Lab MPs during its time as minority govt.
44
Q

How effectively were the Tories internally organised (compared to other parties)?

A

Tory Research Department (est.1929)- research, speeches, preparing Tory docs e.g. election manifestos.

45
Q

How effectively were the Tories externally organised (compared to other parties)?

A

‘True national party structure’ w/ organised local branches + network of pro agents

46
Q

Outcome of the Coupon election for the Liberal divide

A
  • Libs won 28 seats; Asq. lost his; leadership nvr recovered
  • DLG’s perma coalition Centre Party; failed, deepened Lib divide
  • DLG Libs = dependant on Tories; weak position in Parliament; Tories drop him in ‘22- deepens Lib split
47
Q

How was Labour’s credibility damaged?

A

The Campbell affair and Zinoviev letter. Led to collapse of Labour govt of ‘24 due to a motion of no confidence.

48
Q

What was the Campbell Affair of 1924?

A

Campbell, editor of the Socialist mag ‘Worker’s Weekly’- accused of trying to incite revolution but Labour Attorney General removed charge. Led to breakdown in Lib support for minority govt. Labour govt resigned.

49
Q

How was Labour’s 1924 situation worsened significantly by the Zinoviev Letter?

A

During ‘24 election campaign, Daily Mail published letter from a Soviet Commie called Zinoviev. Showed him advising Commie Party of GB on causing revolution. Letter turned out to be fake, but damaged how ppl viewed Labour eg encouraged more suspicion.

50
Q

What happened in the General election of October 1924?

A

Labour lost due to the attack on its credibility, Conservatives under Baldwin were able to form majority

51
Q

Why was Labour unable to establish itself outside of its traditional working class heartlands?

A
  • Took support from Libs, but didn’t take much Tory support

- Fear of Socialism around time of ‘26 General Strike.

52
Q

When did the General Strike begin?

A

4th May 1926

53
Q

What happened in the 1926 General Strike?

A

TUC announced all of its members (incl/ bus conductors and railway workers) would strike to support miners locked out of a pay dispute. Country ground to halt.

54
Q

How did the country get going again during the General Strike and how did this impact Labour’s reputation?

A

Middle class volunteered to help. Sense of class warfare created, reinforced when BBC came out in support of govt. Militancy + widespread impact of the action—> people associated the disruption w/perception of working class revolution, suspicion of Socialist minded Labour grew.

55
Q

Who won the 1929 election?

A

Labour under Ramsey MacDonald formed a minority govt w/287 seats vs Tories’ 260 seats

56
Q

What social reform legislation did Labour introduce in 1930?

A
  • 1930 Housing Act- cleared 750k slum houses, replaced w/modern houses by 1939
  • 1930 Coal Mines Act- attempt to ensure better pay for miners + more efficient pits- weak, ignored by mine owners
57
Q

How did the Labour government of 1929-1931 amend the Unemployment Insurance Act?

A

Gave govt powers to create public works schemes to alleviate unemployment. Funded with £25M of govt £

58
Q

What economic problems did the Labour government face in the summer of 1931?

A

Rumours of unbalanced budget led to increased borrowing, causing US banks to engage in panic selling of £- slumped in value.

59
Q

What did Ramsey MacDonald and his supporters propose in order to help alleviate the economic problems of 1931?

A

Main measure was 10% cut in unemployment assistance- would keep £ stable, but create hardship for poorest ppl.

Proposals split Labour, govt resigned in August 1931.

Britain Transformed 1918-2000 (20 decks)

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