TD written expression British Part Flashcards
What political parties dominated the UK before WWI?
The Conservative (Unionist) Party and the Liberal Party.
What new political party emerged in the early 20th century in the UK?
The Labour Party, representing the working class and labor issues.
What were the two main elements of the Liberal Reforms (1905-1914)?
Welfare reforms and changes to the Constitution.
Who was the Prime Minister of the UK in 1908 and a key figure in New Liberalism?
H.H. Asquith, leader of the Liberal Party.
What movement advocated for women’s right to vote, beginning in 1903?
The Suffragette Movement.
What year did British women gain the right to vote in national elections?
1918
What is “New Liberalism”?
A reformed liberalism focusing on state intervention to address social inequalities, laying the groundwork for the welfare state.
What were key principles of traditional 19th-century liberalism?
Individual liberty, property rights, and market freedom, with minimal state intervention (laissez-faire).
What did New Liberalism advocate for that traditional liberalism did not?
Government intervention in social welfare, health care, and education.
Who was Leonard Hobhouse, and what was his contribution?
An Oxford scholar and advocate of New Liberalism, theorizing the need for government responsibility in social welfare.
What was the “People’s Budget” of 1909?
A budget proposed by the Liberals to increase taxes on the wealthy to fund social welfare programs.
Why was the People’s Budget significant?
It was vetoed by the House of Lords, leading to the 1911 Parliament Act and a constitutional crisis.
What was the purpose of the 1911 Parliament Act?
To limit the House of Lords’ power, particularly its ability to reject or delay bills.
What restrictions did the 1911 Parliament Act impose on the House of Lords?
It could no longer veto money bills and could only delay other bills three times.
What are two Houses of the British Parliament?
The House of Lords (hereditary, mostly conservative) and the House of Commons (elected, mainly liberal).
What was the Victorian Poor Law (1834), and what issues did it have?
A law providing aid to the poor but enforcing harsh conditions in workhouses, stigmatizing poverty.
How did the Victorian Poor Law relate to New Liberalism’s goals?
It highlighted the need for human social welfare reforms to replace punitive measures.
What did economist Thomas Piketty note about British wealth distribution after Queen Victoria’s death in 1901?
The top 1% owned about 70% of all land, property, and financial assets, showing vast economic inequality.
How did the British Empire’s expansion relate to UK politics before WWI?
The empire’s growth led to global influence, economic benefit, and naval supremacy, but also justified colonialism.
What did Margaret Thatcher’s “Neoliberalism” entail, and how did it differ from New Liberalism?
Neoliberalism promoted market-led policies and individualism, in contrast to New Liberalism’s focus on social welfare.
What are the direct effects of the Parliament Act, 1911?
- The Act significantly reduced the power of the House of Lords, allowing it to no longer veto money bills and limiting its ability to delay other bills to only three times.
- This shift fundamentally altered the legislative balance of power, transferring more authority to the House of Commons.
What was the changing role of women in British society during WWI?
Women gained new responsibilities, replaced men in factories, became nurses, and achieved voting rights, leading to their emancipation.
How did the war impact women’s employment?
The absence of men required women to take on traditionally male jobs, leading to new opportunities in various sectors, including factories and public services.
What did David Lloyd George say about women’s contributions to the war?
He stated that it would have been impossible to wage a successful war without the skill, ardour, enthusiasm, and industry of women.
What were traditional roles of women prior to WWI?
Women were primarily wives and mothers, confined to domestic duties, and many worked in textile industries or as domestic servants without the right to vote.
Who was Emmeline Pankhurst and what did she advocate for?
Emmeline Pankhurst was a political activist and leader of the suffragette movement who founded the WSPU and advocated militant actions for women’s suffrage.
What significant changes occurred for women in the post-WWI period?
Women gained the right to vote through the Representation of the People Act 1918, allowing women over 30 to vote, and they gained significant employment opportunities.
What did Millicent Fawcett say about the impact of the war on women?
She stated that the war revolutionized the industrial position of women, transitioning them from being serfs to being free.
What was the Irish Question in relation to WWI?
The Irish Question involved the struggle for Irish independence, with tensions between the Protestant minority and the Catholic majority, and the demand for Home Rule.
What was the significance of the 1914 Third Irish Home Rule Bill?
It aimed to provide limited self-government to Ireland but sparked fears of civil war, particularly among the Protestant community in Ulster.
What event marked the beginning of armed resistance against British rule in Ireland?
The 1916 Easter Rising, which was a rebellion against British control, leading to the emergence of Sinn Féin as a major political force.
What was the outcome of the Irish War of Independence?
The 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty established the Irish Free State and partitioned Ireland into Northern Ireland and the rest of Ireland.
What happened in 1948 concerning Ireland?
The Irish Free State became the Republic of Ireland, marking a further step away from British rule.
What is the title and significance of Emmeline Pankhurst’s speech delivered in 1913?
The speech is titled “Freedom or Death” and argues for equal rights for women, seeking support for female suffrage.
What event does the Irish proclamation relate to, and what was its main goal?
The proclamation relates to the 1916 Easter Rising, aiming to establish an independent Irish republic by breaking away from British rule.
How do both Pankhurst’s speech and the Irish proclamation justify the use of violence?
Both texts present violence as necessary for achieving freedom and as a means of resistance against oppression, whether for women or the Irish people.
What parallel does Pankhurst draw between women’s suffrage and Irish independence?
Pankhurst compares the struggle for women’s rights to the Irish struggle for independence, framing both as justified fights against an unjust government.
How does Pankhurst challenge traditional gender roles in her speech?
Pankhurst describes herself using traditionally masculine terms, such as “soldier” and “revolutionary,” undermining the notion that these roles are reserved for men.
What historical perspective does Pankhurst offer about liberalism?
She argues that liberalism has been exclusionary and primarily benefits men, highlighting the contradiction that women had obligations (like taxes) but no corresponding rights.
How does the proclamation frame the Irish struggle for independence in historical context?
It portrays the violent resistance to British rule as a longstanding tradition, asserting the right to national freedom “in arms.”
What mixed messages about gender does the Irish proclamation convey?
It addresses both “Irishmen and Irishwomen,” promising rights to all, yet depicts Ireland as a woman needing protection from men, reinforcing traditional gender stereotypes.
What is Pankhurst’s self-identification and its significance?
Pankhurst identifies as a “dangerous” revolutionary and a convict, embodying the rejection of traditional feminine stereotypes and asserting women’s capability for political engagement.
How do Pankhurst and the proclamation’s authors depict the concept of “sacrifice”?
Both emphasize the necessity of sacrifice for freedom, framing it as a potential path to either victory or destruction.
What major global event marked the end of the 1910s and affected Britain in the early 1920s?
The end of World War I, leading to initial joy but followed by economic challenges.
What financial crisis in the United States had a significant impact on the British economy in the late 1920s?
The Wall Street Crash of 1929, which led to a financial crisis that affected international trade and British industries.
How did the Wall Street Crash contribute to the Great Depression in Britain?
The U.S. demanded repayment of loans, and British exports declined, resulting in economic downturn and increased unemployment.
Define an economic depression.
A long-term downturn in economic activity characterized by sustained recession, high unemployment, and poverty.
What was the duration of the Great Depression in the United Kingdom?
From 1929 to the late 1930s, it was the longest and most severe economic depression of the 20th century.
What was the social climate in Britain during the 1920s following World War I?
There was a sense of joy and prosperity, but this was not experienced equally across social classes.
What cultural phenomenon characterized the 1920s in Britain?
The “Roaring Twenties,” marked by social changes and the emergence of new cultural trends, such as the Tiller Girls’ dancing group.
What role did communication technology play in British society during the 1920s?
The creation of the BBC in 1922 and the increasing availability of radios improved communication and access to information.
How did advertising change during the 1920s in Britain?
Marketing became increasingly popular, with ads promoting various products, including cosmetics like wrinkle removers.
How did the Labour Party fare during the 1920s and early 1930s?
The Labour Party struggled to gain support and establish itself as a significant political force amid economic difficulties.
What marked the beginning of Britain’s decline in the early 20th century?
The Great Depression, which began after the Wall Street Crash of 1929.
What traditional British industries were particularly affected during the 1920s?
Coal and cotton industries, which faced growing competition from other countries.
What impact did international disarmament have on British industries?
It negatively affected British shipbuilding, contributing to industrial decline.
What major labor event occurred in 1926, and what was its cause?
The General Strike of 1926, caused by wage reductions for coal miners and solidarity with their struggles.
Who reintroduced the gold standard in Britain in 1925, and what was the result?
Winston Churchill reintroduced it, which made British exports more expensive and led to reduced profits and wages for workers.
What were the unemployment statistics in Britain by 1933?
Unemployment peaked at 23%, with about 2 million unemployed by 1930.
Describe the geographical economic divide in Britain during the Great Depression.
The North and North East, including industrial areas like Durham and South Wales, faced decline, while the South saw the emergence of new industries like car manufacturing.
What was the response of the Labour government (1929-1931) to the economic crisis?
The Labour government won elections due to popularity but refrained from introducing radical socialist policies.
What did the May Report (1931) advocate for in response to the economic crisis?
It suggested drastic spending cuts, including cuts to unemployment benefits, to save the economy.
What economist’s ideas influenced the post-WWII welfare state in Britain?
John Maynard Keynes, who believed in government intervention and investment to address social problems and revive the economy.
What actions did the National Government take in the mid-1930s to stimulate recovery?
They abandoned the gold standard to boost exports, focused on new industries, and saw a housing boom that helped reduce unemployment
How did rearmament for World War II impact the British economy?
It led to full economic recovery and a boom in the armed industry.
How did contemporary observers describe the economic conditions in England during the Great Depression?
J.B. Priestley and George Orwell depicted the struggles of the working class and the concept of “England of the dole,” referring to the reliance on unemployment benefits.
What economic event in 1929 triggered the Great Depression in Britain?
The Wall Street Crash
What impact did the Great Depression have on unemployment in the UK by 1933?
Unemployment peaked at 23%, with 2 million unemployed by 1930.
Which British political party struggled to establish itself during the early 1930s?
The Labour Party.
What was the General Strike of 1926 in response to?
Wage reductions for coal miners.
How did the 1930s affect the economic landscape of Britain?
There was a division between the industrially declining North and the emerging new industries in the South.
Who reintroduced the gold standard in 1925, and what was its economic effect?
Winston Churchill; it made British exports expensive, leading to lower profits and wages
What was J.B. Priestley’s aim in his writings about England in the 1930s?
To illustrate how England was changing due to American consumerism.
What does the phrase “to be on the dole” refer to?
Receiving unemployment benefits.
What social issue did George Orwell focus on in his writings?
The plight of the working-class population and the inadequacies of the benefits system.
What did the May Report of 1931 propose?
Drastic spending cuts to save the economy, including cuts in unemployment benefits.
What were the two main features of Britain during the 1920s, following the end of WWI?
A period of joy and prosperity initially followed by economic decline due to the Great Depression.
What was the main industrial focus in the North of England during the 1930s?
Traditional industries like coal and textiles, which were in decline.
Which new industries emerged in the South of England during the 1930s?
Manufacturing of cars and electrical goods.
How did the National Government respond to the economic crisis in the 1930s?
They took a “middle way” approach, balancing investment with cuts in public spending.
What historical event caused the breakdown of traditional export industries in Britain?
The aftermath of WWI and subsequent global economic shifts.
What event marked the beginning of the Great Depression in Britain?
The Wall Street Crash of 1929 triggered the Great Depression, impacting Britain’s economy.
What were some consequences of the Great Depression in the UK?
High unemployment, particularly in the north; industrial decline; and geographical divisions between the prosperous south and the struggling north.
What significant labor action occurred in 1926 in Britain?
The General Strike of 1926 was a major labor action in solidarity with coal miners whose wages were reduced.
What economic policy did Winston Churchill reintroduce in 1925?
Churchill reintroduced the gold standard, which made British exports more expensive and contributed to lower profits and wages.
How did George Orwell’s perspective differ from that of J.B. Priestley?
Orwell focused on raising awareness about the plight of the working class and criticized the ineffectiveness of the benefits system, adopting a socialist perspective.
What social issues does Orwell highlight regarding unemployment in his writing?
Orwell criticizes the Means Test for unemployment benefits, stating it is difficult to qualify for aid and can separate families, leading to increased suffering among the working class.
What characterizes the “third England” that Priestley describes?
The “third England” is characterized by consumerism, leisure activities, and increased mobility, which Priestley views as a less authentic, American-influenced lifestyle.
What was the primary focus of J.B. Priestley’s writings in the 1930s?
Priestley aimed to illustrate how England was changing due to American consumerism and to critique the inequalities and struggles faced by different social classes.
How does Priestley view the traditional, rural England of the past?
Priestley has a nostalgic attachment to traditional, rural England, but recognizes it was based on radical inequality and has become obsolete.
What is the impact of American consumerism according to Priestley?
While he acknowledges its egalitarian aspects, he argues that American consumerism leads to mass conformity and a “depressing monotony.”
What was a notable outcome of the National Government formed during the Great Depression?
The National Government adopted a cautious approach, leading to spending cuts that did not effectively address the economic crisis, as seen in the May Report of 1931.
