Post-WWII Developments in Western European States Flashcards
Who initiated the development of Great Britain after WWII?
In one of the greatest political upsets, Clement Attlee and his Labour Party governed Great Britain after WWII.
What were economic and social reforms in Britain after WWII?
After Sir William Beveridge advocated for national health insurance, the Labour government formed the National Health Service, which provided for a comprehensive system of free health care.
What industries did Attlee nationalize?
Attlee and the Labour party nationalized major industries like the Bank of England, railroads, and the electric, iron, and steel industries. These industries largely were already under government control during the war years. Company management remained in the hands of professionals, and not much changed as a result.
What were economic conditions in Britain after WWII?
Economic conditions were quite grim. Britain was a major debtor to the United States, and the Labour party was forced to increase military spending because of overseas commitments and the start of the Cold War. This time period was generally referred to as the Age of Austerity despite the increase in social services.
What was the Politics of Consensus?
After the Labour Party lost power in 1951, the Conservative Party continued to support the social service network created by the Labour party and did not reverse the nationalization of industry. Although the major parties differed on details like funding levels, they were in general agreement about the role of government and social services.
Why did Britain’s economy decline?
Britain was overly reliant on old factories that were not as efficient. Britain also lacked the central economic planning that was critical to the French, and Britain had to deal with aggressive unions that wanted higher wages without an increase in productivity. Science was also not as important in British universities.
What occurred in Northern Ireland?
The British government was forced to send troops to the troubled province. British soldiers fired on civil rights marchers on what came to be known as Bloody Sunday, and it led to ta renewed surge in violence by groups like the Irish Republican Army that were opposed to the British presence in Northern Ireland.
Who was Margaret Thatcher? What was Thatcherism?
She was a conservative leader who became prime minister after the Labour government could not deal with a wave of strikes. Thatcherism included tight control over the money supply to reduce inflation, cuts in public spending, and a cut in taxes for high earners.
What were Thatcher’s policies in office?
She hoped to make Britain more competitive by reducing the power of unions and privatizing parts of the British economy under control of the government. She beat Argentina in a war over the Falkland Islands. She resigned after dissent over the introduction of market principles to NHS and the education system.
Who succeeded Thatcher’s successor, John Major? What were his policies?
Tony Blair. He advocated for policies of New Labour. Instead of renationalizing the economy, he focused on improving social services, reforming the House of Lords, and moving power to regional parliaments in Wales and Scotland. He also supported the Iraq War. He was succeeded by Gordon Brown, and after him David Cameron.
How did France confront its role in WWII?
Despite initially portraying the actions of the Vichy government as the actions of a small minority under the leadership of Petain, President Jacques Chirac, ruling in the 1990s and 2000s, finally addressed France’s role in the deportation of 66,000 Jews to Germany and other collaboration activities during the war.
What occurred under the French Fourth Republic?
Established after WWII. the Fourth Republic did not give the president strong powers, and therefore the position was refused by Charles de Gaulle. It granted the vote to women, but grappled with a series of colonial problems, such as a defeat in Indochina and a revolt in Algeria.
Why did de Gaulle return to politics? What did he establish?
The crisis in Algeria, which led to fears of a military coup, brought about the return of de Gaulle to poltiics and through a plebiscite established the Fifth Republic, which contained the powerful presidency that de Gaulle wanted.
How did France behave under de Gaulle?
de Gaulle was committed to restoring France to a leading place in the global stage and therefore vetoed Britain’s attempt to enter the Common Market. France also refused to sign the Limited Test Ban Treaty and exploded its first hydrogen bomb in 1968. It also withdrew from NATO’s unified command in 1966 and recognized the Communist government in China.
How did conditions after the war favor Communists in France? How were they removed from government?
Five million men returned home from German and needed jobs, and the transport system was shattered during heavy fighting, and the country needed coal and food. Although the Communists were part of the first postwar coalition government, they were pushed out of the coalition at the American’s insistence.
