the affluent society 1951-1964 Flashcards
1
Q
L5 - Winston Churchill facts
A
Promoted one nation conservatives to important positions
Focused on international affairs such as Cold War
Didn’t support decolonisation
Had able ministers in cabinet
2
Q
Who were some one nation conservatives in Churchill’s cabinet?
A
Florence Horsburgh - minister for education
Anthony Eden - foreign secretary
Rab Butler - chancellor of exchequer
3
Q
When did Churchill resign?
A
1955 due to failing health
Continued as a MP until 1964
Replaced by Anthony Eden
4
Q
Anthony Eden facts
A
Expert on foreign policy
Had opposed appeasement in 1930s so is trusted by public
Regularly deputised for Churchill
Limited experience on domestic policy
Wanted to keep influence over foreign policy and foreign secretary
Indecisive
5
Q
Who were some one nation conservatives in Edens cabinet?
A
Harold MacMillan - foreign secretary until dec 1955, replaced Eden. Because chancellor of Exchequer
Selwyn Lloyd - replaced macmillan as foreign secretary, considered unsuited to the post
Rab Butler - chancellor of exchequer until Dec 1955, became deputy PM
Tension between macmillan and butler
6
Q
What were the May 1955 election results?
A
Previous was in 1951. Snap election so Eden could be elected by public and not just merely a replacement of Churchill. Won 345 seats, 60 majority.
7
Q
Why did Conservatives win the election?
A
End of rationing promised
Promised to build 500000 houses a year
Promised tax cuts
Labour divisions
1952 coronation, high morale, conservatives close to queen
8
Q
What was the Suez crisis 1956?
A
October - November. Suez Canal had been under British control since 1937, shortcut to reach British colonies but Nasser nationalised the canal in July 1956. Eden took Britain into Egypt to recover the canal.
9
Q
Why was the Suez Canal important to Britain?
A
Cut off 5000 miles from Britain to Asia
80% of ships using it were British
Egypt became a republic in 1953 under Nasser. Egypt was in the British empire until 1922 but troop were still there.
Britain agree to remove troops by canal by June 1956
10
Q
Causes of Suez crisis
A
Gaza raid 1955 made nasser determined to strength Egypt’s army. US wouldn’t help so they made a deal with Communist Czechoslovakia
Britain and USA we’re funding the Aswan Dam but they pulled out
26 July 1956 - canal nationalised
11
Q
What happened during the Suez Crisis?
A
Britain and France made a plan in secret to invade. Isreal on 29 Oct would land in Sinai and Britain and France would issue an ultimatum of to stop fighting or they’d interfere.
Israel accept and Nasser refuses
31 Oct, Britain and France invaded
5th Nov, British troops land at canal and are in control by 6th
600 Egyptians died soldiers, 1000 civilians died
12
Q
Consequences of Suez Crisis
A
US and USSR condemned invasion, Britain and France are now 2nd rank powers
Britain economy crashed, USA blocked IMF loans unless they would cease fire, so is humiliating so Britain abort the mission.
13
Q
When did Eden resign?
A
9th January 1957 due to ill health but his standing at home and abroad had been shattered due to Suez so he couldn’t have carried on.
Harold MacMillan took over.
14
Q
Were the public anti-Suez?
A
Majority of the people supported Eden. Left wing newspapers lost readers like the Observer and the Guardian. Left wing politicians condemned. Public weren’t bothered by it or supporter. Polls on 11 November and 2 December 1956 said over 50% in favour of Eden. Some people liked it because it felt patriotic and Britain had a place in the world again.
15
Q
L6 - what were some things MacMillan did in his leadership?
A
Night of the long knives 1962 - cabinet reshuffle
Living standards of trade unionists increased
Foreign policy, repaired relations with America, speeded decolonisation process, accepted Britain’s future was in Europe
Domestic policy, concerned with unemployment, neither capitalist nor socialist society, 300,000 houses a year, improved trade
One nation conservative
Period of affluence
Skilled in media
Appointed Butler as Home Secretary
16
Q
What were the October 1959 election results?
A
Snap election 1 year before. Won 365 conservative, 100 majority.
17
Q
Why did conservatives win election?
A
You’ve never had it so good…
Posters with happy family, dad works and comes home to his family not late. Family sits for a meal, no rations, Labour had rationing. Tv in house
Clean air act 1957, prevent smog of early 1950s
Homicide act 1957, restricted when death penalty would be imposed
Wolfenden commission, recommended that homosexual behaviour shouldn’t be a criminal act
Presents conservatives as a new, modern party who were in touch with the electorate
18
Q
MacMillan and affluence
A
Macmillan’s premiership has often been described as having a feeling of affluence (having a great deal of money or wealth). People who lived through rationing now had a post war boom.
19
Q
What was the postwar boom?
A
Productivity increase (efficiency)
|
Increased investment
|
Higher employment
|
High wages
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Higher demand and consumption
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Growth in business confidence
|
Increased investment
20
Q
What was the average of unemployment in 1950s?
A
2% significant because the were sticking to the post war consensus which is appealing.
21
Q
What problems could high wages and demand create?
A
High wages: people have lots of money to spend so business increase prices. INFLATION
High demand: Britain might have to import more goods. BALANCE OF PAYMENTS
22
Q
What is Stop Go economy?
A
Method of correcting the economy when inflation rose and balance of payments entered a deficit. It could also be used to manipulate the economy into an effluent period when there was an elections approaching, called Budget politics (using budget to gain politically, socialist idea, affluence gives votes)
23
Q
What are the steps of the stop go economic cycle?
A
- Government action: low interest, cut tax, rising wages. Affluence
2: impact: affluence- rising consumer spending, full employment, high demand, high wages. Problem- inflation, BOP
3: government action: high interest, increased tax, wage freezes, less money to spend, reduces demand
4: impact: reduced consumer spending, low demand, unemployment (business not making money), output decreases, deflation, BOP corrects
24
Q
Examples of budget politics
A
In 1951, BOP deficit of 700mil. Butler applied a STOP, and by the end of 1952, there was a BOP surplus £300mil.
1953-4, Butler applied GO.
1955, full employment, rising wages, demand. STOP phase after election, interest raised.
In 1957, GO phase
25
Never had it so good examples
Between 1951 and 1963, wages rose by 72%
Car ownership rise from 3 million to over 7million
Ownership of TV from 340,000 to 13 million
M1 built in 1959
Working week reduced from 48 to 42 hours
Housing boom
6000 schools built
26
Conservative Party divisions
Chancellor of exchequer had 4 people in MacMillan’s 7 years. Tension between him and them.
27
Chancellor Peter Thorneycroft’s ideas
Wanted to end stop go
Wanted to limit wage increases and reduce public spending
To assist issue of inflation and BOP
MacMillan refused and Thorneycroft resigned in 1957
MacMillan was more interested in public opinion
28
When did Britain apply to join EEC?
1961, no response until 1963. Britains growth was behind that of other countries like West Germany. EEC would have free trade, no tax on imports
29
What was the NEDC?
National economic development council
Neddy
1961
Set up to plan the economy with 3 groups: trade union, government, business managers
Attempt to address economic decline and establish a long term economic plan
30
What was the NIC?
National incomes commission
Nicky
Manage wages and prices
Attempt to address inflation
Not very successful because people threatened to strike if not given wage rises and the government gave in
31
What is the beeching report?
Summer 1963
Attempt to cut public expenditure
Closed 30% of Britain’s rail network
Public outages
Rural areas became more isolated
32
Who was the new PM?
MacMillan resigned in October 1963 because of illness and scandals. Alec Douglas Home. Never elected, seen as part of the establishment and out of touch. He was PM For 2 weeks without being in House of Lords or commons. No vote called for him in the Conservative Party.
33
What were some economic policies under Home?
Reginald Maudling was CofE. Lowered interest rates and taxes. Worsened worker productivity so needed to import more goods= BOP deficit of £800mil by 1964.
34
What were the October 1964 election results?
Not a snap election. Labour won by 4 majority, 317 seats.
35
L7 - what is Macmillan’s legacy?
Residing over an age of affluence and rising standard of living
His refusal to abandon the policy of working towards full employment
Commitment to the mixed economy
Building the Property Owning Democracy
Humanising the Conservative Party
Committing to decolonisation
Failure to stem the economic decline
36
Labour Party and Attlee as leader
Attlee stayed as leader until 1955, and the party was still split. Bevan called for him to withdraw in 1954, others wanted a younger man in lead
37
Who was Hugh Gaitskell?
Labour politicians, right wing of party. Disagreed with Bevan, took over in 1955 after Attlee, died in 1963. Gaitskellites VS Bevanites (left)
38
What did the left of Labour want?
Believed that enhancing the welfare state by Attlee was only the beginning, the party should commit more greatly to nationalisation and the direction of the economy and society. Want large trade unions to have more influence in policy.
39
Labour Party opinions on Suez crisis
Left - Germans thought the same about Hitler. Behaving in same way as Nazis, no success in invading
Right - aggressive, a UN police force should have intervened, canal is blocked by what Britain did, unlawful
Their attack on the conservatives didn’t work because most people weren’t against Suez, a minority would have supported Labour
40
What is unilateralism?
Many of the Labour left were unilateralists, so wanted to get rid of nuclear weapons before other countries to encourage them to aswell. Patriotic reasons- resources were diverted from the needy, and ideological reasons- didn’t want USSR to fall far behind west in arms race
Bevan did NOT support even though he was left
41
What is the CND?
Campaign for nuclear disarmament. Attracted anti-American and pro-soviet people.
42
Who is Frank Cousins?
Leader of Transport and General Workers Union in 1956 and led large trade unions who also called for unilateralism. Led the unions into taking more left wing positions.
43
Why did Labour lose the 1959 election?
Argument over clause 4
Rule book for the party, written in 1919, committees Labour to full nationalisation of industry. At the conference, Gaitskell suggested removing Clause 4, thought it was too left wing (isolated business owners from Labour). Got heavy fire from the left, so he backed down.
Conservative policies - affluence campaign, cut taxes, Go stage
44
How did Labour divisions worsen?
1960 Labour Party Conference. Bevan died of cancer in April. Labour left argued that Gaitskell betrayed the party’s principles by trying to remove Clause 4, and not committing to unilateralism. Cousins attacked Gaitskell for this at the conference.
45
What was the CDS?
On the right of the party, some Gaitskellites had formed a group called the CDS, campaign for democratic socialism, (a pressure group) who argued the way the left used TUs to pressure their extremist minority views in the majority was un democratic.
46
What issues compounded the Labour divisions?
Labours cloth cap image
Party of working classes only, not nation as a whole
Stance over the EEC
Conservatives realised they need to join EEC in late 1950s, applied in 1961. In 1962, Gaitskell declared Labour was against joining= party doesn’t look forward thinking
47
L8 - which countries became independent in 1926?
Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the old commonwealth countries. They had large white populations of European descent. Lived under governments and considered capable of running their own countries. Racist views held at the time meant that other British colonies with non white peoples weren’t granted independence even when they asked. After WW2, the struggling economy and political system meant it was difficult to maintain the empire
48
How did Britain manage the transition from colonies to independent countries?
As the empire began to fall, it was replaced by the Commonwealth, countries can choose to join or leave. Began in 1931. They did it to continue British influence so they would continue to cooperate with Britain. It is a third force, separate from the US and USSR. And if Britain completely withdrew from the former colonies, there could be instability and susceptibility to USSR influence.
49
What was the transition from colony to member of commonwealth like?
British decided they would oppress independence movements until they judged that countries were ready for independence. Difficult to do, very slow process
50
What was the context of Mau Mau rebellion 1952-1960?
People from Britain and Europe migrated in Kenya to settle in farming areas, which caused problems as they pushed out the Kikuyu tribe who were there for hundreds of years. From 1920, the British government introduced laws to protect the settlers
51
What was the Mau Mau Rebellion?
A secret group, Mau Mau, attacked and killed anyone loyal to British government. Targeted Kenyans of white European descent and white settlers but also Black Kenyan if they were suspected of supporting the government. In 1952, British government declared a state of emergency. Extreme force and violence was used against Kenyans even some without ties to Mau Mau, many were tortured on false charges. Some died when tortured, some survived and were refused a fair trial. 32 white settlers were killed, 2,000 black Africans by May Mau. 11,000 Kenyans killed by British. Around 160.000 Kenyans arrested. By the 1960s, the rebellion ended, British government met with Kenyan representatives to negotiate independence, and 33 seats were reserved for black Kenyans, 20 other. 12 December 1963, declared independent.
52
What was Macmillan’s wind of change speed?
1960. Turning point in foreign policy towards its empire. Speech in South Africa. First sign that the British government accepted the empire was over and sped up African independence. Called for decolonisation and recognised independence movements. Britain wants to steer uncommitted countries away from communism.
53
L9 - what is intergovernmental authority?
Countries work together and can vote on issues. Individual countries maintain some level of sovereignty (independence)
54
What is supranational authority?
An authority that goes beyond national boundaries and makes decisions on behalf of the member countries
55
What is stage 1 of European integration?
May 1950 - Schuman Plan proposed the creation of the ECSC. April 1951 - the European nations pooled their most productive resources, coal and steel, into ECSC. Britain declined involvement. Attlee did not want to lose sovereignty, neither did Conservative Party.
56
What is stage 2 of European integrity?
1957 treaty of Rome, created European economic community EEC. Inner six France West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, luxembourg. Key terms: establishment of a common market, protectionist policy to abolish custom duties between member states, adoption of a common agricultural policy 1962.
57
What is the Common Agricultursl policy 1962?
To provide income support to farmers by ensuring artificially high prices for their products regardless of demand. Supranational idea. This mean food products were higher in member states than elsewhere. This encouraged farmers to produce more since they could sell to government. But it gave farmers a guaranteed buyer so they would produce as much as possible. Established common tariff on agricultural imports from non member countries. Britain dislike, they’d have to cut commonwealth trade.
58
What is the political character of the EEC?
Dominated by west Germany and France, which helps them to have peace since Germany invaded France before. Smaller 4 nations gain resources.
59
What is stage 3 of European Integration?
January 1960, treaty of EFTA signed with the outer 7. Allowed member countries to make free trade agreements with non EFTA countries so Britain could continue to trade with Commonwealth.
60
Differences between EEC and EFTA
EEC is political, efta isn’t
EEC is supranational efta is intergovernmental
EEC can’t trade with anyone else efta can
EEC has common agricultural policy and efta doesn’t, they have preferential market access to goods instead so not charged for agricultural trade abroad
EEC had disadvantage for the economy and EFTA could grow easier
61
Why did Britain change its mind and want to be in EEC?
The economy was stunted. Share of world trade fell from 29% in 1948 to 13.7% in 1964. Between 1953 and 1961, production rose only by 30%, Frances was 75%. Britain was trading more with West Europe than commonwealth. EFTA failed to compete with EEC or benefit Britain.
MacMillan was pro European, need to enter EEC, days as a great power over. Decision marked an evolution in British attitudes to Europe.
Suez was a shock to British policy makers, not an independent world power anymore, EEC could boost power and influence in world.
Kennedy thought Britain should join EEC, worried De Gaulle would lead Europe away from NATO and wanted Europe to keep looking towards America.
62
What is stage 4 of European integration?
1961, Britain applied to EEC. 1963, rejected by De Gaulle. He didn’t know if they could trust Britain enough as they’re too committed to commonwealth.
63
Why couldn’t Britain join EEC in 1963?
French determination to keep Britain out. De Gaulle saw EEC as a third force between 2 superpowers, didn’t want American influence by Britain joining.
France was humiliated in 1940 and wanted to reassert itself.
He wanted eec to be independent from American influence.
He saw britains economic weaknesses and the links to commonwealth would drain resources
64
Consequences of rejection
Balance of payments deficit. Britain are humiliated. Britain is no longer. A global power. Isolated from Europe.
65
L10 - what is Britain’s position in the world and where do they want to be?
In a current position of power globally, want a good relationship with USA, slowly losing power, want to maintain association between UK USA and west Europe, and strengthen commonwealth, and influence capitalism onto Asia and Africa
66
Special relationship positive examples
War loans: $3.75 billion dollars to UK to repay
Marshall aid: Britain got largest amount
CMC: Kennedy kept MacMillan informed during this
MAD: US will share nuclear technology with Britain
Polaris: Britain was dependent on Polaris after Britain’s rocket was abandoned
EEC: Britain wants to be a mediator between Europe and US
67
Special relationship united by capitalism
Korean War: US and Britain sent most troops against communist north
West Berlin: united in a country against communism, Cold War brings them close
Berlin Airlift: blockade meant Berlin lacked supplies. France, uk, USA drop supplies into the West Berlin for months, united again
NATO: Britain is a founding member, 1949 allies alliance, offers protection, Britain has to spend 2% of budget on military to join
68
Special relationship negative examples
Suez: USA opposed the invasion, Britain was not strong enough to stand up to America and was in a financial crisis, has to pull out. Economy depends on USA
Burgess and Maclean affair: highly placed officers in British intelligence defected to ussr in 1951. They leaked vital secrets to Moscow, worries USA, and makes them less willing to share secrets with Britain.
69
L11 - what were causes of social change?
Better health and life expectancy
Age of affluence
Inward migration from Ireland and new commonwealth
Outward migration to old commonwealth and America
Differences in town and country life, community in villages
Car ownership changed towns
Motorways, m1 1959
Holidays
Housing and towns
30% of rail network closed by Beeching
70
What was the class system like?
Makes people look up to those above them and forces people into corners of society against each other. Rigid class structure
71
What is class?
Broad groups who experience common social and economic change
Upper- aristocracy, born into
Middle- professionals and skilled trades
Working - manual labour
Class distinctions were clear
72
What is the establishment?
Same backgrounds, upper classes, same heritage and social circle, same schools, dominated all sectors of society, couldn’t be penetrated, dominated politics in 1951. Schools like Oxford and Cambridge
73
How did the Profumo affair challenge the establishment?
Profumo lied to House of Commons by denying a relationship with Christine Keeler. She was ready to expose him and he was left embarrassed. He was the secretary of war and Christine was also in an affair with a Russian spy, so this was a security risk. Profumo affair showed the establishment aren’t untouchable and they lie all the time, the public lost trust in them
74
How did burgess and Maclean affair challenge the establishment?
No one suspected them because they worked hard and because they were both upper class. Hired easily due to their status, people trust the upper class too much and so the public won’t trust them anymore
75
How did satire boom challenge the establishment?
Private eye magazine 1961- today. Started by Oxford students, PMs and political figures were targets of satire, mocked them.
That was the week that was BBC 1962-63. Sketches of taboo topics of politics, religion, royalty, sex, macmillan was criticised on here and they were criticised for the level of mockery. Weekly audience of 12 million
76
How did CND challenge the establishment?
Campaign for nuclear disarmament began in 1958 and grew quickly as a social movement. Encouraged to challenge authority and demonstrated how people were less likely to follow lead of the establishment, people aren’t accepting what the government tell them. Lots of young people were open to change and questioning them.
77
How did the modernity and meritocracy of America challenge the establishment?
JFK was young, modern and fashionable, closely tied to popular culture and used the press well. American success was built on meritocracy not class. Promotions were earned from talent. Through TV, radio, the American culture has more dominance
78
How did affluence challenge the establishment?
People felt like they were in a different class
Rab Butler claimed that modern conservatism was ending class differences.
Working hours reduced, more schools, more houses so less homelessness, more TV ownership, motorways built, wage increase by 72%, car ownership increase and affordable household appliances on credit made people feel affluent
79
Political impact of lost trust in the establishment
Churchill, Eden, MacMillan, Home are from private school and born into wealth.
Wilson, Heath and Callaghan do the 11+ to go to grammar school by intelligences more working class so ordinary and relatable
80
L12 - what is a youth culture?
A set of values, behaviours and styles that are shared by a group of young people and distinguishes them from other generations. A refusal to accept the standards and behaviours of adults.
81
Why did youth culture emerge?
Labour saving devices - girls not needed at home, more leisure time
National service - boys don’t have to do it after 1960, free time
Fashion - affordable clothes, trends, different to parents
High wages - money to buy records and fashion
Birth rate - post war baby boom, 1959 survey estimates 5mil teens, more visible
Technology - TV aimed at teens introduced
Living at home - parents have affluence so have more money
Didn’t live through WW2 or depression, different generation. Scandals of establishment aren’t a good example of behaviour. Satire boom
82
Who were teddy boys?
1953. Fashion trend, Edwardian. Pricey Blazers, shirts, trousers, ties, leather shoes, greased back hair. Entire British subculture, the first group.
Origins - daily express newspaper called them teddy boys by shortening Edwardian to teddy in 1954. Working class, like music and dancing, culture built around jazz and skiffle music, and eventually rock and roll. They caused a moral panic as a feral youth, violence sometimes, only some of them
Some formed gangs and fought rivals in showdowns. Some held racist views and attacked immigrants, Notting Hill 1958 riots. Hostility to black families.
As 1950a rock musicians faded away, so did the group. Ended in late 1950s.
83
Who were the mods?
Late 1950s, Mod coming from modern in modern jazz
Clothing took precedence over all else, didn’t want dirty clothes, immaculate. Liked jazz and R&B music, went to jazz clubs and coffee shops to hear this, so coffee shops stayed open later than bars. Travelled by mopeds due to small salaries.
Wages improved after the war so working class families became better off and children weren’t heavily relied on to support family, so they became financially independent. Baby boom made more young people, in early 1960s, almost 40% of population was under 25. Education act 1944 helped schooling quality to improve, so had new employment chances, lower classes now went to university.
Moral panic, often fought with Rockers
Feminism - accepted women as her own being, so the female mod made her own choices. Own jobs own incomes. More freedoms for them
84
Who were the rockers?
Late 1950s. Scruffy clothes, leather jackets, motorbikes, rock and roll. Rivalry with Mods led to moral panic. Some took drugs
85
What is a moral panic?
Widespread fear of a certain group which is in disproportionate to the actual threat. The media identify a group as a threat to societal values, the media present them in a negative and stereotypical fashion and exaggerate the scale of the problem, moral entrepreneurs such as politicians condemn the group.
86
May bank holiday 1964 clashes
Tension between mods and rockers. Hostile violence, no reason for this only because they’re rivals. Police are involved in the situation. In the night, deckchairs were scattered and broken, some on fire on beaches, crowd of 600 mods. Unsafe for families so causes fear and moral panic
Large scale, organised riots in a number of south coast holiday resorts. Main places in Margate, Brighton and Clacton. Media and police made the situation worse.
87
L13 - what are the expectations of a woman in early 1950s?
The man was the head of the household.
If a woman was in a loveless or violent marriage, she was trapped since she had no career or money.
Shopping for food everyday since storing fresh food was difficult.
Weekly allowance from husband.
Dinner would be ready on the table for the man.
Housework and children care for women’s work.
Housewife had been prepare at school and home for her role.
88
What are Labour saving devices?
Increased affluence, families could afford to buy or hire appliances to make housework more efficient. So they do housework, chores, clean around house
89
How was life different for young women from their mothers by 1963?
Majority of girls left school by 15.
High employment straight from school to employment, freedom to work, what rights.
70% of wages was disposable income
Money spent on fashion etc
90
Work and pay in 1952
Average woman had 2.2 children and didn’t work, if they did, average weekly pay was under £5. Unemployment stood at a low 2%, didn’t include majority of women, who were labelled economically inactive.
In 1952, 75% of women were married, average age of marriage at 21, place in the home.
91
Work and pay in 1964
1952 equal pay for teachers introduced. 1955 conservatives granted equal pay for females working in civil service.
Most working class women left school unqualified and married young. Middle class women weren’t always content to settle for a life of domesticy. Jobs available to women were clerical with no prospects and poor pay. Working mothers were portrayed as selfish by media. Childminders were rare, nurseries for rich
92
How did attitudes towards women change in early 1960s?
A Taste of Honey 1961 film highlights difficulties of being a single unmarried women in 1950s
Fashion designer Mary Quant designed the mini skirt. Became a defining look for women of 1960s and challenged traditional dress
Magazines such as Valentine in 1957 focused on finding your one true love lost popularity and magazine like Honey from 1960 focused on finding boyfriends
Some questioned their purpose and some embraced the change
93
L14 - Why did people migrate to Britain?
Migration was encouraged by the government due to labour shortages after WW2. Led to the Attlee government passing British Nationality Act 1948. It allowed people from empire to commonwealth to enter Britain because they have a British passport. This encouraged those from new commonwealth (not white) to migrate, often just the male family figure.
94
What was the empire windrush?
Marked the beginning of a multicultural Britain. Carried 1027 passengers from Jamaica to London in 1948, 492 were Caribbean migrants. The windrush generation are those who arrived between 1948 and 1971.
95
What was it like for windrush generation?
High expectations of home and food but there was rationing and lack of homes due to demand after Blitz. Took jobs brits didn’t want so got low pay for hard work.
96
What were the attitudes towards immigration?
Just 2 days after windrush arrived, 11 Labour MPs wrote to Attlee calling for a halt. For most people especially working class, there was tension over accommodation. When they first arrived, they lived in poor areas of cities where it was cheap. Blamed for squeezing white residents out of employment by taking cheap work.
97
What was the reality of immigration to Britain?
More people are leaving Britain than coming to, from 1950-59, 1.3 million left and 676000 came in. This means immigrants aren’t taking all of their needs. By 1958, 210,000 commonwealth citizens had settled, 75% were man supporting family at home.
98
What were the Notting Hill Riots 1958?
Happened in August and September. Teddy boys attacked Caribbean people and properties many were indiscriminately attacked and some fought back. Police were generally passive towards it. Large groups intimidated immigrants, no motivation other than skin colour
99
What was the British Union of Fascists?
Leader Oswald Moseley exploited tge issue by printing thousand of racist leaflets on behalf of his union movement which called for repatriation, forcing people back to their country. Supported Hitler for its anti- semantic propaganda. Had same nickname as the SS. Only won 7.6% of the vote in election
100
What was the commonwealth immigration act 1962?
Drawn up by Rab Butler. Aimed to limit immigration. Created a voucher scheme restricting right of entry to those who had actual jobs to go to. British subjects affected mainly were non white people. Led to a rush of immigration before the act in 1962. 70% in favour of it
Labour fiercely opposed the act but were forced to reconsider when they go into government. This control was desirable from the electorate.
101
L15 - what were some economic problems?
Britains economy is not sustainable in the long term. Strong for now
Stop-go economic cycle had not been broken, workers got high wage rises but were not productive, trade with empire and commonwealth was not enough, EFTA didn’t match growth of EEC, balance of payments problems by 1962
Also they were rejected from the EEC in 1963 because Britain wanted ro improve their share of world trade and help BOP. This came at a bad time.
102
How did they attempt to address inflation?
Selwyn Lloyd imposed deflationary methods in 1961 including a Pay Freeze for public sector workers. Government requested a loan from IMF. Neddy created in 1962 to plan economy long term.
103
Why did the attempt to address inflation fail?
Lloyd was sacked and replaced by Maudling. GO phase under him to encourage consumer spending, led to a balance of payments crisis and inflation, and stagflation by 1963 (industrial production in decline due to lack of motivation, with inflation continuing)
104
What happened to world trade (negative)
World trade declined from 25% in 1951 to 10% in 1975
105
What happened to unemployment (negative)
Fell to 500,000 by 1964 but the deficit was £800mil so led to problems with inflation
106
What happened to MacMillans team or treasury ministers (negative)
Resigned in 1957 because of stop go as it failed to plan a structured financial strategy
107
How did holidays improve (positive)
Three or more day holidays increased from 27 mil in 1951 to 34 mil in 1961 and by 1959, 40% of manual workers considered themselves middle class
108
How did weekly earnings increase (positive)
Increased by 75% between 1955 and 1965 . By 1975, 85% of homes had a fridge compared to 8% in 1951
109
How was Britain’s defence spending (positive)
10% of GDP, not too bad since USA spent more, other European countries didn’t have the burden of maintaining these naval bases and nuclear arms programmes. £1.7 billion on defence by 1964
110
Why was Polaris a political problem?
MacMillan desired nuclear technology so made a deal with Eisenhower. The holy loch was used as a US navy Polaris nuclear submarine base. Rise in support for CND, protests. MacMillan blamed this on the left wing press for scaremongering and said this bomb cannot explode as easy as a firework so is not a threat
111
Why were conservatives not seen as the natural party anymore?
Out of touch with socially mobile affluent age. More than half the cabinet in 1960 were Old Etonians. MacMillan used politicians from the unelected House of Lourdes, looked undemocratic. Victims of satire
112
Night of the long knives
July 1962. MacMillan made 32 alterations to 101 ministerial posts, cabinet reshuffle, because of the meritocracy in America, wanted younger men to be involved as average age was 59, economic problems and need fresh thinking, by-election (one constituency for new MP) in Orpington they were defeated by liberals in 1962 =lost popularity.
Caused tension in government and low morale in party, lack of unity, divisions so unpopular.
113
Why were scandals a threat?
Vassal affair- civil servant spy for USSR
Kim Philby - foreign office official, spy for USSR, gov failed to catch him
Argyll divorce case - Duke of Argyll sued his wife for adultery of 88 men, 2 gov officials.
Profumo affair- threat to security as she had affair with Russian spy and Profumo, he lied to parliament about it. Establishment can’t be trusted
114
Why was Home a problem as PM?
Became PM after MacMillan resigned, undemocratic process since he was chose by MacMillan not the cabinet and MPs. He was from House of Lords, so was not an MP that had been elected in by public. Divided party, public resignations.
115
Why was Labour’s resurgence a problem?
Gaitskell reunited the party against joining EEC. He was replaced by Wilson. Gaitskell died in 1963, bevan in 1960, left and right gone. Wilson focused on modernising Britain in a time of change
