Quiz weaknesses Flashcards
When did the National Health Service begin?
5th July 1948
When was the iron and steel industry nationalised?
1949
When was the Schuman Plan rejected?
1951
How do you define consensus?
Common agreement between the parties on major issues and policies.
How do you define the balance of payments?
The difference between the cost of imports and the profits from exports.
How do you define collectivism?
The people and the state acting together with a common purpose, which necessarily meant a restriction on individual rights.
How do you define socialism?
The movement for the creation of social equality by means of economic and social regulation.
What were Beveridge’s ‘five giants’?
want, disease, ignorance, squalor and idleness.
What part of Labour’s constitution committed it to nationalisation?
Clause IV
Due to the Cold War, what figure did defence spending rise to? It had been £2.3 billion.
£4.7 billion
Name three characteristics of austerity common during Atlee.
wartime rationing continuing, controls on wages and salaries, increased taxation and restrictions on imports
What was the Schuman Plan?
The Schuman Plan was a scheme to pool resources in the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).
Why did Attlee decide to reject the Schuman plan?
Attlee chose not to be involved with the support of the Conservative Party as they didn’t believe vital resources should be handed over to an undemocratic authority.
Name the five big decision Britain made regarding post-war international order.
- Joining the UN Security Council
- choosing to side with the USA in the Cold War divide
- granting Indian independence
- becoming a founding member of NATO
- Entering the Korean War as part of a UN force.
How much did Britain receive from Marshal Aid?
Britain received ten per cent of Europe’s share of $15 billion in return for granting trade concessions to the USA.
When did Britain become a founding member of the EFTA?
1959
When did Macmillan make his ‘wind of change’ speech?
1960
When did the Labour Party adopt unilateralism?
1960
Give four reason’s for Labour’s 1951 defeat.
Attlee’s government were worn out. Serious divisions had developed between the right and left wings of the party. Shrinking majority in the 1950 election damaged morale. Labour found it difficult to shake off its image of austerity.
Give four reasons for the Conservative’s 1951 win.
- Reorganisation of the party with younger members like Butler.
- Lord Woolton had reformed the finances and organisation of the party.
- Their attack on nationalisation of iron and steel gave a strong platform.
- Conservative’s projection of themselves of upholders of liberty and individualism against the deadening hand of state centralisation and collectivism.
What prompted the Commonwealth Immigrations Act (1962) which introduced to limit entry?
following Windrush (1948) immigration levels had increased. Despite outflow exceeding inflow tensions arose. Violence broke out in 1958 with riots in Nottingham, Bristol and London
Coined by the Economist in 1954; give two key principles of Butskellism.
The Conservative’s acceptance of a mixed economy and Keynesian economics meant that many of Labour’s aims were continued: maintain full employment and economic growth, expand the welfare state.
Italy’s industrial growth rate had reached 5.6%, what was Britain’s?
2.3%
The Profumo affair was only one of the scandals that the Conservative’s faced; name two others.
Kim Philby revealed as Soviet spy in the heart of the Establishment; Argyll divorce was a lurid court case where the public heard about a government minister allegedly in a pornographic photo.
When did Macmillan announce the Conservative decision to join the EEC?
1961
Why did Macmillan make the decision to join the EEC? Two reasons.
Suez Crisis and doubts about the ‘special relationship’ led to Macmillan announcing his intent to apply in 1961
When did De Gaulle veto EEC application?
1963
Why was the Labour Party not united from 1951-64? Two reasons.
Gaitskell defeated Bevan as leader, leading from a centre-right position. Opposed internally by the Bevan-ite left: unilateralists and CND.
Why did the Labour Party lose the 1959 election? Three reasons.
internal divisions, UK’s rising prosperity, poor election campaign.
Internal issues of the Labour party worsened in 1960; why was this?
Election loss intensified internal issues: 1960 conference saw victory of left, trade union block vote forced unilateralism as policy, rejected again in 1961.
How do you define ‘prices and incomes policy?
Government attempt to control prices and wage increases
How do you define East of Suez?
Britain’s foreign policy in countries to the East of Suez Canal Egypt, such as Malaysia
When did the government devalue the pound?
1967
Which years were Roy Jenkins Home Secretary, who replaced him?
1965-67, James Callaghan
Name 2 private member bill passed and the year.
and MP
Jenkins allowed Liberal MP David Steel to pass the 1967 Abortion Act, decriminalised homosexual acts between men with the Sexual Offences Act 1967.
Name three government bills passed and the year.
liberal reform under labour
Later Home Secretary abolished the Death Penalty 1969 and made divorce easier 1969. Some censorship of sexual matters lifted e.g. Lady Chatterley’s Lover.
Which new department launched the ‘National Plan’, and who led it?
Department of Economic Affairs, George Brown
In place of strife was drawn up because of …
A wave of strikes, e.g., Dockers, 1966-7 led Wilson to be increasingly determined to reduce union power.
Wilson devalued the pound in 1967, why was this a political mistake?
Could have waited it out, ‘pound in your pocket’ broadcast
Who was Chancellor of the Exchequer during devaluation? What happened to his role?
James Callaghan, resigned and swapped jobs with Roy Jenkins
How and why did Catholics begin the troubles?
The ‘troubles’ begin with a civil rights movement forming, namely from university students, to protest oppression and discrimination by Protestant majority.
Which ‘battle’ led to Home Secretary James Callaghan sending troops to keep order 1969?
Battle of Bogside
Give two reasons why Labour lost in 1970
Labour lost in 1970 because of failure on a number of policy fronts, the impression of division combined with an estimate that Powell’s racism gained the Conservatives 2.5 million votes.
What did the East of Suez stance suggest about Britain internationally?
Reflects Britain’s loss of confidence in world police role following Suez.
What was Wilson’s approach to Vietnam?
Compromise – not sending troops, but intelligence support
Approximately, how many people went to the Grosvenor Square demonstration to share their anti-war views?
1968: 10,000
Why did Wilson apply to the EEC again in 1967, despite being rejected in 1963?
Wilson feared that Britain would be left behind financially and economically by Europe unless it joined.
Wilson’s bid for the EEC was fully backed by the Conservatives and Liberals, but opposed by a number of Labour MPs – how many?
36
What was the ‘Selsdon Man?
A symbolic anti-Keynesian, pro-market individual.
What are flying pickets?
Teams of union members ready to rush to areas where strikes had been called to help dissuade or intimidate workers from going to work.
What was the Social Contract?
Unions
An informal 1972 agreement between Wilson and the TUC general secretary, that when Labour was returned to power, the unions would follow a wage-restraint policy in return for the adoption of pro-worker industrial policies by the government.
What was internment?
The arresting of suspected troublemakers and holding them without trial.
When did the UK formally enter the European Economic Community (EEC)?
1st Jan 1973
Name three reasons for Heath’s loss in 1974.
- Rapid inflation made holding down prices impossible.
- Wage settlements and lost orders caused by strikes resulted in a decline in productivity.
- Unemployment reached new levels (over 600,000 in 1974)
Three-day week suggested the government had lost control
When was the EEC referendum?
1975
Why did Callaghan loose the 1979 election?
Any government would have struggled with the economic problems of the period, but Callaghan is accused of letting things drift; failure to call an election in autumn of 1978. By the time an election was called the government had been damaged by economic and financial crises, rising unemployment, combative trade unions and political misjudgements. This included its treatment of minority parties – the Liberals and SNP which wiped out their small minority.
Name the impacts on daily life caused by the 3 day week.
The restrictive measures of the three-day week recalled the austerities of wartime and the late 1940s. Electricity blackouts interfered with industrial production and left ordinary people without light and heating for long periods. People had to sit in candlelight, unable to cook, listen to the radio or watch television.
Why was Heath successful in his EEC bid?
De Gaulle had retired, accepted poor terms on Britain’s behalf.
OPEC crisis: how did the price of oil per barrel increase?
$2 - $35
State three economic effects of the OPEC crisis on the UK.
Balance of payments deficit rose to £1 billion
16% inflation
Unemployment doubled between 1974-76.
Who led the sweeping local government reforms?
Peter Walker
Name the two ‘lame ducks’ that Heath supported.
Rolls Royce, Upper Clyde Shipbuilders
Why did Heath fail to enact the Industrial Relations Act?
Unions refused to register it
Unions became increasing combative; how many days were lost to strikes in 1974? (nearest million)
Days lost to strikes in 1974 totalled nearly 15 million
When the miners’ dispute was finally settled at the end of the 3 day week, what pay increase did they achieve?
NUM agreed a 21% pay increase
Who was Chancellor of the Exchequer under Heath?
Anthony Barber
Which three issues plagued Wilson and Callaghan?
Narrow majority, inflation and unions
Unions remained combative; how many days were lost to strikes in 1979? (nearest million)
29 million
When did Callaghan’s sudden announce a pay freeze which led to further issues with the unions and what per cent was it?
1977 5%
What was a consequence of public sector workers increasing their militancy as they felt they were the ones who suffered most from the government cuts?
The ‘winter of discontent’ saw public sector workers go on strike – 1.5 million on 22.01.1979.
Name a Nationalist/Republican party.
IRA – Irish Republic Army and Sinn Fein
Name a Unionist/Loyalist party.
DUP – Democratic Unionist Party
UVF – Ulster Volunteer Force
When was internment introduced?
August 1971
When was Bloody Sunday?
Bloody Sunday, January 1972
When were the Birmingham pub bombings?
21 November 1974
Define free market economics
An economic system in which the forces of supply and demand are allowed to operate naturally without regulation by the government.
Define poll tax
A flat-rate levy to fund local services, to be paid by all adult resident in the local area, not just owners of the local property.
Define ERM
and date
Introduced by the EEC in 1979, as a system for bringing European currencies much closer together in value as preparation for the eventual adoption of a single European currency.
When did Kinnock become Labour Party leader?
1983
When was the Westland Affair?
1986
Give two reasons for the 1983 election win
Despite these impressive figures where Thatcher has recovered support that polls suggested she had lost in the early 1980s; it must be remembered with the context of the divided Labour Party. Their internal split and the formation of the SDP remarkably changed the political contest in conjunction with the impact of the Falklands conflict.
What did Norman Tebbit say in response to the rioters in 1981?
The minster for employment, told applauding delegates at the 1981 Conservative Party conference: ‘He didn’t riot; he got on his bike and looked for work, and he went on looking for it until he found it.’
How did Thatcher justify the Falkland’s War?
Democratic right to protect the people living there. Argentina attacking British sovereignty.
Name three impacts of the Falklands War
1983 election success, wrongfooted Labour opposition, boosted international standing
How did monetarism aim to reduce inflation?
The government had to restrict the amount of money in circulation and reduce public expenditure. Interest rates were kept at a high level to deter excessive borrowing and keep the pound strong. Inflation fell from 19% in 1979 to 5% in 1983. But a recession was announced in 1981 and unemployment rose to 3,225,000 in 1983.
Name three features of Thatcher’s second-stage economics
Deregulation, privatisation, supply-side economics
When did she make her famous ‘The lady’s is not for turning’ speech?
Party conference, 1980
When did Foot become Labour Party leader and what impact did he have on party unity?
1980, divides deepened.
Why are Foot and Benn linked to Militant tendency?
Foot and Benn felt the Labour Party wasn’t left enough and so pushed through constitutional changes which gave greater power to left-wing activists including the Militant tendency.
What impact did the Gang of Four have on votes?
The SDP hoped to attract disaffected members from both the Labour and Conservative parties. In alliance with the Liberals the SDP gained a ¼ of the popular vote in the 1983 election.
Name three key reforms of the Baker Education Act
School budgets taken over by the headteacher, the National Curriculum and league tables
Who was Airey Neave and why was his murder important in 1979?
Was going to be Secretary of State for Ireland, another example of IRA terrorism
When and how did Bobby Sands die?
1981 hunger strike
When was the Brighton bombing?
1984
What did Thatcher do in 1989 to try and limit the IRA?
Censorship - Denied terrorists ‘oxygen of publicity’: censorship imposed on IRA representatives.
Why was Thatcher referred as the Iron Lady?
Strongly anti-Communist but prepared to do business with Gorbachev. Admired by East Europeans for her encouragement of velvet revolutions. Special relationship with Reagan. Britain bought US Trident missiles.
Example of Thatcher’s anti-Europeanism
Opposition to protectionism, centralisation and federalism. Won the rebate for Britain over the EEC budget. Thatcher’s Bruges speech, 1988 rejected European superstate. Thatcher’s anti-Europeanism led to Howe’s resignation in 1990.
Example of Thatcher bringing UK closer to Europe
Accepted the Single European Act (1986) and ERM.
When was the Joint Declaration made, and when would Hong Kong return to China?
1984 Conceded China’s main demands. Hong Kong to be returned to China in 1997. Hong Kong democrats ignored.
Name the key players in the Miners’ Strike
Thatcher, police, Ian McGregor, Scargill, miners, NUM, NCB
Why did the 1984 strike fail?
Not well led tactically by Scargill, NUM not backed by key unions, Government consistently backed NCB, Employment Acts weakened NUM’s legal position, violence accompanying the strikes lost miners’ public support.
When did Willie Whitelaw retire, and what did Thatcher lose as a result?
1987, a moderating influence
Who within the Conservative Party rebelled against the Poll Tax the most staunchly.
One Nationists – Heseltine, Heath
Kinnock’s landmark speech in 1985 changed the direction of the Labour Party – but what else did it do? x2
Nullified SDP and ruined his career – he had made a u-turn
Within the local government reforms what does SSA and CCT mean?
In 1988 changes in local authority finances were introduced: system of standard spending assessments (SSAs) enabled central government to control local government expenditure levels. Councils had to use ‘compulsory competitive tendering’ (CCT) to contract out services to the lowest price.
What are three key reasons for the weakening of Thatcher’s position?
- opinion polls showed growing unpopularity following the poll tax.
- Disputes over the economy with Lawson resigning.
- Disputes over Europe with Howe’s resignation.
What was the result of the first ballot in the 1990 leadership election?
Thatcher won the 1st ballot by too narrow a margin (204 Thatcher, 152 Heseltine).
Define Social Chapter
Major
Part of the Maastricht Treaty which committed EU member states to introducing extensive welfare schemes.
Define New Labour
Used as a slogan at the 1994 Labour Party conference, first held under Blair’s leadership, it became the name of the party from then on.
When did the UK join the ERM?
1990
When was the Maastricht Treaty ratified?
1993 – after 1992 election and with a vote of no confidence.
When did Blair become Labour Party leader?
1994
Give three reasons for the Conservative win in 1992.
- The Labour Party ran a poorly judged campaign using the ‘razzmatazz style’ of US politics which Kinnock later admitted was both premature and rather tasteless.
- But it was Labour’s shadow budget that seemed to threaten large increases in taxes that did the most damage.
- Major got on his soap-box to suggest the Conservatives could be trusted with the economy.
-The Sun newspaper was sufficiently convinced to switch its support from Labour to Conservative.
Why did the UK join the ERM, and what was the starting value?
It had been devised as a system to reduce inflation. When Britain joined the ERM in 1990 the exchange value of the pound had been the unrealistically high DM2.95 which led to exports becoming overpriced
When was Black Wednesday and what did interest levels rise to?
16 September 1992, 15%
Why was the vote of no confidence attached to the ratification of the Maastricht Treaty effective?
Euro-rebels defeated a key bill so Major decided to reintroduce the proposal attached to a formal vote of no confidence. This meant the proposal was forced through as the Euro-rebels didn’t want to bring down the government and subsequently their jobs.
What was the result of Major’s leadership contest in 1995?
He defeated Redwood 218 to 89 but with 22 abstentions over 100 members were not fully committed to him as a leader.
Give three examples of sleaze in Major’s gov.
- Promising young MP, Milligan’s highly published erotic asphyxiation
- Hamilton was accused of engaging in ‘cash for questions’ which led to Martin Bell standing as an independent against Hamilton and winning by a majority of 11,000 proving a great embarrassment to the Major government
- Yeo resigning after his affair with a local councillor produced a child
How did Major successfully end the illegal occupation of Kuwait?
Major’s statesman like conduct meant he could cooperate with the US creating a coalition invasion force, which in 1991 liberated Kuwait in keeping with UN resolutions.
What does ‘Operation Deliberate Force’ refer to?
Dayton Agreement over Bosnia: Fighting had become so vicious between 1992-95 that to prevent genocide Britain contributed to a series of massive NATO aerial attacks on Serbian forces. ‘Operation Deliberate Force’ with over 3500 sorties flown brought the Serbians to the negotiating table. Major was a signatory of the Dayton Peace Agreement (Dec 1995) which kept warring parties to certain areas.
How did John Smith modernise the Labour Party?
In 1993 he endeavoured to make it more democratic by replacing the trade union block vote at labour Party conferences with a one-member-one vote system.
Define Savings Ratio
The annual percentage of an individual’s disposable income that is saved rather than spent.
Who were the JIC and what did they do?
Joint Intelligence Committee: The government body principally responsible for providing ministers with national security information.
When was the Good Friday agreement signed?
1998
When did Blair make his third way speech? What did it say?
2000, Suggesting the creation of a balance between left and right extremes, often associated with Blair and New Labour’s policies in general.
When was the Euro adopted by the EU?
2002
When were the London bombings?
7/7 July 2007
Give three features of New Labour’s programme.
- Nationalisation was to be dropped as an objective
- New Labour’s policies were intended to appeal to middle-class Britain where the bulk of the electorate were to be found
- Policies would not be pursued as a class struggle
Give three ways how Labour presented a more progressive image.
- Cool Britannia: suggestive of how fashionable and contemporary it was
- Inclusiveness: referring to a society where there would be no ‘social exclusion’
- Labour’s women MPs: an illustration of Labour’s commitment to the political advancement of women – ‘Blair’s babes’.
Give four reasons why Labour won the 2001 election.
- Blair’s continued personal popularity with voters
- Hague’s inability to present himself as a better alternative to Blair
- Blair’s successes in Northern Ireland
- Trust in Brown as a prudent chancellor
Give four reasons why Labour won the 2005 election.
- Since the Conservatives had supported the government’s decision to go into Iraq, they were unable to gain from the criticism of the war
- Knowledge of the economic and financial difficulties that were emerging had not become widespread
- The Conservatives had three different leaders within two years
- Blair’s spin doctors continued to skilfully project his image while Howard’s campaign was ill-chosen.
Name three constitutional changes Labour made
- Devolution – in its election manifesto, Labour had made a commitment to devolution, which it honoured by creating the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly in 1998.
- House of Lords reform which difficulties for the government. Removing hereditary peers modernised the chamber but Labour was criticised for packing it with its own appointees.
- Mayor of London – Ken Livingstone appointed in 2000 was a dynamic, if controversial, figure.
Give five examples of Labour’s New Deal relating to economic equality
- Winter fuel allowance 1997
- National Minimum Wage Act 1998, £4.85
- Jobseeker’s Allowance, 1998 2.5 million claims
- Working families tax credit and child tax credit, 1998 concession rather than bonus
- Employment Act, 2004 workers legal rights
Give six examples of Labour’s New Deal relating to social equality
- Human Rights Act, 1998
- Freedom of Information Act, 2000
- Police Reform Act, 2002, PCSOs
- Repeal of Section 28, 2003
- Civil Partnership Act, 2004
- Gender Recognition Act, 2004
Who were the Conservative leaders from 1997-2005 x4
William Hague (1997-2001)
Iain Duncan Smith (2001-3)
Michael Howard (2003-5)
David Cameron (2005-16)
Why did Britain not join the Eurozone?
Didn’t meet the 5 tests
Britain was a net loser under the CAP regulations. Blair was unable to obtain satisfactory reform of the CAP. How much did the UK receive in beneficiaries?
The UK received 9% in CAP beneficiaries compared to France’s 22%.
During 2006, the EU imposed how many regulations and directives on Britain, which the government and Parliament accepted without debate?
Over 3000
Why did Blair’s gov not hold a referendum on the European constitution despite promising it?
The government did not grant a referendum on the constitution contained in the 2004 Rome Treaty as they had not been successful in France and Denmark. Similarly, they refused to hold a referendum on the subsequent Lisbon Treaty.
Following Brown’s prudent spending changing to higher public spending, what did inflation rise to in 2007?
Raising inflation, from 2.4% in 1997 to 4.8% in 2007.
How did unemployment change from 1997-2007?
three facts
2.5 million more in work by 2007 than in 1997.
5.4 million people of working age still living on unemployment benefit.
37% of the increase in jobs was in the unproductive public sector, which made Britain a client state.
Why was Brown nicknamed ‘Golden Brown’?
Subsequent recovery of gold market meant Britain had sold at a heavy loss amounting to £3billion. Brown was nicknamed ‘Golden Brown’ by the tabloids.
What did the St Andrew’s agreement set out?
October 2006
- DUP agreed to share power with republicans and nationalists.
- Sinn Féin accepted the authority of the Northern Ireland police.
Under the terms of the agreement elections were held in March 2007.
What did Blair commit himself to after 9/11?
A war on terror
What did the ‘dodgy dossier’ claim?
45 minutes to use weapons of mass destruction, and their existence.
Which inquiry cleared the government following Kelly’s suicide?
Hutton inquiry
Name the five phenomenon in society during Blair’s period.
- Increase in size and distribution of British population through natural increase and immigration.
- Growth in extra-parliamentary politics. Environmentalists and deniers. Extremists’ groups. Focus groups.
- Multiculturalism.
- Decline in social values and traditional religion.
- Scepticism about politics with Parliament tainted by corruption.
