Political Themes Flashcards
What were the four main factors in the Liberal Decline?
The Leadership of Lloyd George
The Liberal Split
The Rise of Labour
Carlton Club Meeting
Why did the Leadership of Lloyd George cause the Liberal Decline?
His political decision weakened the Liberal Party and it’s reputation
Name two of Lloyd George’s political failures while Prime Minister
The Chanak Incident
“Homes fit for heroes”
Why was the Chanak Incident a failure?
Lloyd George was pro-Greek but was voted down by the Conservative ministers within the coalition government making his position untenable
When was the Chanak Incident?
1922
Which two countries were involved in the Chanak Incident?
Turkey and Greece
What was Canada’s role in the Chanak Incident?
PM King decided Canada should make its own decision before going to war, something it hadn’t done before
What was “Homes fit for heroes”?
It was Lloyd George’s housing policy promising 500,000 homes for returning soldiers
What act introduced Lloyd George’s housing policy?
The Addison Act, 1919
Why was Lloyd George’s “Homes fit for Heroes” a failure?
The economy weakened in the 1920s and as a result only 213,000 homes were built
Which two Liberal figures split the Party?
Lloyd George and Asquith
What triggered the Liberal Spilt?
Lloyd George taking over the Liberal Party from Asquith in WW1 by forming a National Government
Who was in the First National Government?
The Conservatives and Lloyd George’s Liberals
What did the Liberal Split do?
It split the Liberal votes, organisation, finances and supporters
How did the Liberal Split cause the Liberal Decline?
They did not gain as many votes as the supporters were split and so they couldn’t win enough votes to stay in government
Which act introduced more Labour voters?
The 1918 Reform Act
What did the 1918 Reform Act do?
Allowed all males over 21 and all females over 30 to vote in elections
Why was the 1918 Reform Act so important for Labour?
It introduced more Labour voters, especially the working class which gained Labour more votes than ever before
What happened to Ireland in 1919?
The War of Irish Independence began
What did Labour have that the Liberals did not have?
The backing of Trade Unions
What impact did the War of Independence have upon the Liberal Party?
1) Damaged the leadership of Lloyd George
2) Meant the Irish MPs could not sustain the Liberals
When was the “Coupon Election”?
1918
What happened as a result of the “Coupon Election”?
The Conservatives dominated the coalition, making the Liberals “prisoners of the Conservatives”
What happened at the Carlton Club meeting?
The backbench MPs of the Conservatives held a vote be independent of the Liberals at the next election
When was the Carlton Club Meeting?
October 1922
What were the secondary consequences of the Carlton Club?
Austen Chamberlain resigned as leader being replaced by Bonar Law
How much cuts occurred because of the Geddes Axe?
£64 Million
How much originally was the Geddes Axe meant to cut?
£80 Million
What were four factors which led to the Rise of Labour?
Conservative Manipulation
Limitations of Conservatives
Impacts of WW1
1918 Reform Act
How did Conservative Manipulation lead to Labour’s rise?
In the short term, Stanley Baldwin despite having the largest party put Labour into a minority government since he could control their legislation and damage their credibility
How was Churchill involved in the 1924 Labour Government’s creation?
Baldwin hoped the Liberal Churchill would swap to the Conservatives if Asquith supported Labour
What issue did Baldwin differ from Bonar Law on?
Tariff Reform
What was the Impact of WW1 on the Liberal party?
Caused the Liberal Split
What was the Impact of WW1 on the Labour Party?
Gave them government experience through Arthur Henderson and lead to the popular New Social Order manifesto
