section 5 chapter 18

Question 1

What made World War II a “total war,” and how did it affect post-war society?

Answer 1

WWII was a “total war” because all economic and human resources were mobilized. This led to greater acceptance of government control in post-war society and economy.

Question 2

How did Britain mobilize resources during WWII?

Answer 2

Britain mobilized economic resources more extensively than any other nation, implementing comprehensive government controls over food, transport, and labour from the start of the war.

Question 3

What did the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939 grant the government?

Answer 3

The Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939 gave the government authority to regulate all aspects of life necessary for national defense.

Question 4

What were some of the new ministries established during WWII in Britain?

Answer 4

New ministries were set up for food, shipping, information, economic warfare, aircraft production, labor, and production (1942).

Question 5

How were government efforts coordinated during WWII in Britain?

Answer 5

Cabinet committees coordinated ministry efforts, with the Ministry of Production overseeing supply and the Treasury managing finance.

Question 6

How did the government extend its control over industry during WWII?

Answer 6

with Royal Ordnance Factories employing 300,000 workers and 265 other factories working for the Admiralty and Ministry of Aircraft Production. Non-essential industries were redirected to war work.

Question 7

How did production methods change during WWII in Britain?

Answer 7

New production methods were developed to increase output and save labor, while science was promoted to improve economic efficiency and develop new warfare techniques.

Question 8

What role did Ernest Bevin play during WWII?

Answer 8

Ernest Bevin, as Minister of Labour, efficiently allocated labour, implemented industrial conscription, and mobilized the workforce for total war.

Question 9

How did Ernest Bevin manage the labor force during WWII?

Answer 9

implemented industrial conscription for men and women, directing people to work in any job and any location. “Bevin’s Boys” were conscripted to work in coal mines from 1943

Question 10

What was the impact of Bevin’s leadership on the workforce?

Answer 10

Despite 4.5 million joining the forces, the workforce grew by 2 million. Bevin improved wages, working conditions, and morale, delivering over 300 speeches to workers and managers.

Question 11

How did Bevin’s leadership affect the perception of Labour politicians?

Answer 11

Bevin’s successful leadership in managing the labour force and improving conditions bolstered public trust in Labour politicians.

Question 12

What led to food rationing in Britain during WWII?

Answer 12

German U-boat attacks reduced imports, leading to rationing starting in 1940, with most foods being rationed by 1941.

Question 13

What role did Lord Woolton play in food rationing during WWII?

Answer 13

Lord Woolton oversaw the Ministry of Food, ensuring fair rationing policies and providing public guidance on food consumption.

Question 14

How did agriculture adapt during WWII to support food supply?

Answer 14

Agriculture shifted from meat to cereal production and ploughed millions of acres to boost food output. The “Dig for Victory” campaign led to a rise in homegrown vegetables.

Question 15

What economic challenges did the Labour government face in 1945?

Answer 15

The Labour government in 1945 faced a severe economic crisis, more serious than that of 1931, which required adjustments to the postwar economy.

Question 16

How did the Labour government manage rationing post-WWII?

Answer 16

Labour intensified rationing to limit imports and prioritize exports. This was part of the ‘austerity’ measures to manage resources and boost export earnings.

Question 17

How did the financial crisis of 1947 affect rationing?

Answer 17

The financial crisis of 1947 led to even stricter rationing, with rations dropping below wartime levels. Bread was rationed for two years (1946-1948) due to a harsh winter in early 1947.

Question 18

When did food rationing end in Britain after WWII?

Answer 18

Food rationing eased after 1947 but did not fully end until 1954.

Question 19

What was the goal of the ‘export drive’ after WWII?

Answer 19

The export drive aimed to earn dollars needed to import food and raw materials while reducing imports to avoid spending dollars.

Question 20

How did Britain transition from wartime to peacetime production?

Answer 20

Industries rapidly shifted to peacetime production to support the export drive. Government controls allocated materials for exports, and Labour’s regional policy promoted factory openings in depressed areas.

Question 21

What role did economic planning play in postwar Britain?

Answer 21

Labour used state planning, nationalisation, and government controls to support the export drive, maintain full employment, and ensure economic stability.

Question 22

How did the Labour government manage agriculture post-WWII?

Answer 22

Agriculture benefited from subsidies and guaranteed prices, ensuring food production remained stable and supporting the postwar economy.

Question 23

How did Labour cooperate internationally to support postwar recovery?

Answer 23

Labour worked with the USA to build a new world economic order based on the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, aiming to regulate world trade and avoid another depression.

Question 24

What financial crisis did Britain face after WWII?

Answer 24

Britain faced £4,198 million in debt, a 60% drop in manufactured goods exports, and rising military costs overseas.

Question 25

How did Britain attempt to resolve its post-war financial crisis?

Answer 25

Economist John Maynard Keynes negotiated loans from the USA and Canada, but the loans came with conditions, including ending preferential trade with the British Empire and making the pound fully convertible to dollars.

Question 26

What happened to Britain’s financial situation after the 1946-7 winter?

Answer 26

Due to a harsh winter, the loan ran out faster than expected, and Chancellor Hugh Dalton had to suspend the conversion of sterling into dollars within a month.

Question 27

How did the 1947 financial crisis affect Attlee’s government?

Answer 27

The crisis undermined confidence in Attlee’s cabinet, showing that Britain could not sustain its overseas commitments without continual financial assistance from the USA.

Question 28

What role did American aid play in Britain’s post-war recovery?

Answer 28

By 1948, the U.S. provided about $13 billion in economic assistance through the Marshall Plan, which played a crucial role in Britain’s recovery, with more favorable terms than the 1946 loan.

Question 29

How successful was Britain’s export drive between 1946 and 1950?

Answer 29

Exports rose nearly 80% between 1946 and 1950, with exports in 1950 being 50% higher than in 1937, driven by the motor vehicle industry and limited competition from war-damaged Germany and Japan.

Question 30

How did the 1949 U.S. recession affect Britain’s economy?

Answer 30

reduced demand for British exports, causing a balance of payments crisis. Chancellor Stafford Cripps devalued the pound, making British exports cheaper and reducing the trade deficit.

Question 31

What successes did the Labour government achieve in industry and agriculture?

Answer 31

kept interest rates, inflation, and wages low, encouraging investment and expansion. Agricultural productivity increased, reducing food imports and improving the balance of payments.

Question 32

How did Labour’s regional policy help the economy?

Answer 32

Half of all new factories built between 1945 and 1951 were located in previously depressed areas, and the “Export or Die” slogan pushed both old and new industries into full production.

Question 33

How much of the British economy was nationalized between 1946 and 1951?

Answer 33

20% of economic enterprises, employing 10% of the workforce, including key industries like fuel, power production, transport, steel, and the Bank of England.

Question 34

What were the challenges and costs associated with nationalization?

Answer 34

Nationalisation cost £2,700 million in compensation to private owners. The system did not involve workers or consumers in decision-making, and some nationalized industries did not benefit from state control.

Question 35

How radical was Labour’s nationalisation policy?

Answer 35

Nationalisation marked a shift to a mixed economy, blending private and state ownership. However, it was not a socialist revolution since industries remained managed by civil servants and most industries remained private.

Question 36

Did nationalisation achieve socialist goals?

Answer 36

Nationalisation did not achieve socialist demands for “workers’ control” as industries were run by managers and civil servants, and many unprofitable industries were nationalized.