Society in Transition 1918-79 Flashcards
What impact did the Wars have on class in Britain
There was growing sympathy between the classes as a result of the shared common war experiences.
This translated into more egalitarian political beliefs which formed the basis of the post war consensus.
Decline in upper class, in WW1 many died as they served as officers which had a high mortality rate and the death tax caused them to lose a lot of their wealth.
Resulted in a more democratic society as working class were rewarded for their war effort with the right to vote in 1918.
Factors that led to changing attitudes towards class in Britain.
- WW1 AND WW2 experiences
- decline of upper class due war and death tax
- Increase in home ownership and the middle class
- WW2 caused people to want an equal society to avoid fascism and war again.
- Rise of Labour and trade unions.
Examples of the emergence of the Liberal Society
Media:
The satire boom, provocative musicals
Social:
Free Love, Sex Scandals e.g. Profumo affair
Challenging of Traditional Values.
Drugs.
Music:
New music like rock n roll e.g. Beatles, Rolling Stones
examples of a response to the liberal society
Mary Whitehouse who was a Christian conservative and social activist who criticised liberal immorality media and entertainment. She Formed the National Viewers and Listeners Association which had over 100,000 listeners.
Give examples and evidence of the changing role of women in the interwar years. (advancements)
Politics:
Women over 30 gained right to vote in 1918, and all women in 1928.
150,000 women joined Labour Party between 1918 and 1924.
Employment:
Women worked during the war, but as men returned women gave up their jobs.
Some remained in employment, mostly working class domestic servants - 1.25 Million in 1918.
New opportunities in clerical (office) work for women as 300,000 women worked in this industry during the 1920s.
Education:
Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 removed gender bar in civil service and law.
Universities abolished any bans on women studying.
give points against the role of women changing in the interwar years
Politics:
Women made less than 5% of MP’s.
Had to face petty restrictions like not being able to use the Commons dining room.
Women did more subservient roles in politics like delivering leaflets and fundraising events.
Employment:
Women forced to give up jobs they did during war when men returned home from War.
Did not get equal pay or opportunities.
In 1931 there was only 3000 female doctors but 180,000 nurses.
Only 21 female architects out of 6,000
Education:
Expectations of girls still remained low and curricula focused on domestic subjects.
give examples of changes to liberalising legislation.
Matrimonial Causes Act 1937 - allowed divorces if either partner had been unfaithful. Before this reform there was only 4800 per year and by 1951 it had risen to 38,000
Divorce Reform Act 1969 - introduced no guilt divorce as a result divorce rate grew from 45,794 in 1968 to 74,437 by 1971.
Birth control became widespread in the 1960s - which encouraged sexual promiscuity.
Abortion Act 1967 - legalised abortion up to 28 weeks. There was around 250,000 illegal abortions per year before the bill.
explain the shift in family life between the 1950s to 1960s and 70s.
In the 1950s, women were depicted as homemakers however more started working. By the late 1950s, women became increasingly discontented and isolated with their role and status in society.
In the 1960s traditional family structure was being challenged by liberal legislation and economic problems which required women to work. Second- wave feminism further encouraged women to have a “greater” roles in society.
give examples of legislation introduced to deal with migration
Laws limiting migration:
The Aliens Orders Act 1920 - required migrant workers to register with police before seeking work.
Coloured Alien Seamen Act 1925 - forced seamen to prove their British Citizenship or face deportation
The 1962 Commonwealth Immigration Act - limited immigration as immigrants had to have a job lined up to enter UK.
The 1968 Commonwealth immigration Act - restricted immigration to 1500 per year by imposing stricter controls
name the legislation that attempted to outlaw discrimination
1965 race relations act - outlawed discrimination in public places
1968 race relation act - outlawed discrimination in housing
give examples of opposition and the white backlash response to immigration.
1958 race riots in places where lots of black people lived like Toxeth, St Anns and Brixton and Notting Hill.
Tory politician won West Midlands election of Smethwick in 1964 with the motto ‘if you want a nigger for a neighbour vote Labour’.
Enoch Powell Rivers of Blood Speech was supported by 75% of UK.
The National Front emergence had some popularity, held demonstrations and engaged in violence.
