The Affluent Society (1951-64) Flashcards
Who won the General election of 1951?
Conservative Party
What voting system was used in British elections + how does it work?
First Past the Post (FPTP) - candidate with most votes in each constituency wins a seat in Parliament
Names of the 4 Conservative PMs between 1951-64 + what years did they hold office?
Winston Churchill 1951-55
Sir Anthony Eden 1955-57
Harold MacMillan 1957-63
Sir Alec Douglas Home 1963-64
Churchill’s Weaknesses
Old + suffered stroke in ‘53
Acted as more of a figure-head + let cabinet ministers such as Rab Butler do the work.
Who covered Churchill’s absences?
Eden acted as PM, Rab Butler was the Chancellor of the Exchequer + Harold MacMillan as Minister of Housing
What were the results of the 1955 election?
A Conservative victory, their majority increased from 17 seats to 60.
Eden’s strengths + weaknesses as a politician
Experienced in foreign affairs but less so in domestic + economic matters.
Which international crisis is Eden most associated with?
Suez Crisis 1956 - General Abdul Nasser nationalised Suez Canal so Britain, France + Israel invaded Egypt.
This resulted in Eden’s resignation as PM + affected their foreign relations with US.
Who emerged as leader after Eden + why?
MacMillan because Butler was not as popular within the party + ruined his reputation with the introduction of tact cuts before 1955 election.
What role did Butler take in Macmillan’s government?
Home Secretary
What was Macmillan’s nickname + why?
‘Super Mac’ - He was a skilful manipulator of the media + apprehend unflappable under pressure.
What were the results of the 1959 election?
Conservative victory, they increased their majority up to 100 seats.
What was the Post-War consensus?
An understanding that after WW2, there was a great deal of agreement over major issues between main political parties such as the economy, support for NHS, Welfare State, maintaining employment + working with Trade Unions
What is the Post-War Consensus also known as + why?
Butskellism, after Conservative politician Rab Butler + Labour leader Hugh Gaitskell.
What was the Conservative housing policy?
In 1951, Churchill promised to build 300,000 new homes every year to replace homes destroyed after WW2.
What were the education policies?
They moved to a tripartite system in education.
3 Kinds of schools: grammar, secondary modern + technical.
Children took the 11+ to determine which type of school they would attend.
What were the problems with the new school system?
- Churchill failed to give sufficient funding to technical school due to budget restrictions.
- The fairness of the system was questioned.
Describe the Conservatives Social Reforms
- Clean Air Act 1956 - aimed to prevent the smog of the early 1950s.
- Housing + Factory Acts 1959 - aimed to improve living + working conditions.
- Homicide Act 1957 - restricted when the death penalty could be imposed.
- Wolfenden Commission 1957 - recommended that homosexual acts should no longer be considered criminal but this was not made law at this time.
What was notable about Labour’s election defeat in 1951?
They received 14 million votes, more votes than they had received in any other election + yet they still did not win.
Which two politicians led opposing sides in the part split?
Hugh Gaitskell led the right wing faction.
NYE Bevan led the left wing faction.
What was the split originally about?
Gaitskell had introduced prescription charges when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer. Bevan resigned from government in protest. He gained the support of many Labour MPs + trade unionists.
What were the results of Labour leadership election in 1955?
Gaitskell defeated Bevan.
What increased the tension between the two factions?
- Growing tensions between party leadership + trade unions.
- Left faction wanted unilateral nuclear disarmament which Gaitskell opposed.
- Frank Cousins became leader of the Transport + General Workers Union + led a fierce campaign against Gaitskell particularly over nuclear weapons.
- Gaitskell put forward the idea of abolishing Clause IV but abandoned plan when he realised the opposition from the left wing + union leaders would be fierce.
What was Clause IV?
A clause of the Labour Party constitution which committed the party to nationalisation.
