Post War Britain (Chapter 3) Flashcards
Who was the Minister of Health under Lloyd George tasked with building homes fir for heroes?
Christopher Addison.
Housing and Town Planning Act (1919):
- The aim of the measure was was to clear slums and construct low-rent homes specifically for the working class.
- By 1922 over 20,000 houses had been built.
Why was Christopher Addison’s housing act unsuccessful?
Addison had little understanding of the economics involved in the building of housing.
The ministry paid for houses at the rate of 910 pound per unit when there true cost was only 385 pounds.
- There was a shortage of 800,000 homes in the poorer sections of community in 1922.
- People considered the improvements of housing to be attributed to Labour run councils.
How many people received national insurance in 1911 compared to 1920?
1911 - covered 3 million workers.
12 million people.
Meant to protect workers against short term unemployment, which at the time seemed unlikely because there was a high demand for labour.
With what industry did LG suffer a post-war breakdown in industrial relations?
- Coal.
- One of Britain’s staple industries.
- The mining unions wanted the industry to be renationalised.
Why was Lloyd George unable to keep his promise that workers of Britain would be rewarded for their wartime effort?
- Britain’s inability to cope with the effects of the worldwide industrial slump.
What were unemployment levels like in 1922?
Unemployment had risen to over a million.
How did the LG government react to the economic recession post-war?
Introduced the ‘Geddes Axe’ - spending cuts to education, hospitals and housing.
How did the Easter rising begin (1916)?
Patrick Pearse - leader of a group of Irish Nationalists.
Seized the General Post office in Dublin and posted a proclamation announcing the establishment of an Irish Republic.
After 4 days of fighting the Republicans were overwhelmed by British forces and ringleaders rounded up.
Why did the rebels in the Easter Rising fail to achieve their aims?
- They had hoped for an invasion of Ireland by Germany forces and a nationwide uprising by the Irish people.
(neither happened).
What was the result of the Easter Rising?
15 of the most prominent leaders of the Easter rising were shot - 75 others sentenced to life in prison.
- LG in an attempt to contain the situation set up a meeting with Redmond (Nationalist Leader) and Carson (Unionist Leader).
- Persuaded the to accept an agreement referred to as the ‘Heads of Agreement’.- it was then rejected by unionist members of the coalition government.
What was the ‘Heads of Agreement’?
Granted immediate Home Rule for the 26 counties of southern Ireland, Ulster remained part of the UK until after the war when their permanent constitutional status would be decided by an imperial conference.
Evidence of the rising prominence of Sinn Fein in 1917?
They won 2 by-elections in 1917.
How many seats did Sinn Fein win in the coupon election?
73
How did LG respond to the destructive nature of the IRA?
Sent in the ‘Black and Tans’.
The tough methods they used meant that they were hated by Irish nationalists.
LG was accused of trying to terrorise the civilian population of Ireland.
How did Lloyd George convince Unionist and Nationalist to sign an agreement in 1921?
Played on the idea that he was Irelands last hope and his successor was likely to destroy any chance of a settlement.
Persuaded them to accept a boundary commission tasked with separating Ulster from Ireland.
Leads to the Anglo-Irish Treaty 1921.
Anglo - Irish Treaty 1921:
- Southern Ireland was granted independence as the Irish free state.
- Ulster remained part of the UK.
In what way can the Anglo-Irish treaty be seen as a historical achievement:
It had achieved something that British politicians had not been able to since 1801 - it created a workable solution to the Anglo-Irish question.
Why can the Anglo-Irish Treaty 1921 be seen as a political failure?
- The treaty was a compromise.
- Unionists felt betrayed that LG was giving in to republican terrorism.
- Nationalists viewed the treaty as a concession belatedly extracted from the British government
What was the view of the coalition in 1922?
People felt it was a tired and ineffectual administration.
The Conservative party would only support LG as long as it served their own interests.
What was the LG honours scandal?
LG had used his power of patronage as PM to sell honours and titles.
Sold 90 peerages and 20,000 OBE’s.
LG argued that it was a justifiable means of raising political funds.
What was the Marconi scandal?
Allegations that LG had used his inside knowledge as chancellor to but and sell shares in the Marconi company in 1913 for a large profit.
What was the Chanak Crisis?
- Turks were treating to recover by force their territories lost to Greece.
- In 1922, LG ordered reinforcements to be sent out to Chanak.
- War was threatened.
-Conservatives viewed this as unnecessary and irresponsible.
Carlton Club Vote 1922:
Conservatives vote to stop supporting LG.
Baldwin and Bonar Law led the argument against LG.
Voted 187 to 87 to abandon LG.
