The Post-War Boom

Question 1

End of Rationing

Answer 1

• Conservatives ended rationing in 1954 as they promised in their manifesto
• The austerity (gov cuts) of wartime was now over and the British people were set to enjoy a higher standard of living than ever before
• The general pattern of the 1950s would be one of continued economic improvement

Question 2

The Post-War
Baby Boom

Answer 2

• Swift acceleration in birth rate at the end of WW2 leading to a faster increasing population
• Many people previously delayed getting married or starting families due to the uncertainties of wartime or men being conscripted into the army
• Once the war was over, men were now marrying and starting families
• Babies born in the early 1950s became known as the ‘Baby-Boom Generation’

Question 3

Full Employment

Answer 3

• Global economy was booming as countries rebuilt after WW2
• Led to a sustained increase in overseas trade which brought high levels of earnings from exports and investments
• Due to this and rising consumer demand at home, plentiful employment was ensured
• 1955: estimated that full employment had been achieved with only 200,000 unemployed (less than 1%)

Question 4

The Golden Age
of Employment

Answer 4

• All governments were committed to full employment (post-war consensus)
• Employment was stable with ‘jobs for life’ guaranteed
• Pensions were generous and able to give a good quality of life during retirement
• Possible to leave school at an early age with minimal qualifications and still gain a high paid job for life in Britain’s traditional industries, e.g. coal mines & textile mills
• Welfare state provided a comfortable safety net
• Trade unions were strong and were able to defend the pay and working conditions of workers

Question 5

Changing Employment
(Growth of Service Industries)

Answer 5

• Traditional occupations fell during this period (coal-mining, shipbuilding)
• Huge expansion in electrical and engineering work
• More jobs in industries related to cars, steel and other metals
• Service industries ranging from financial and professional services to transport and sales were growing
• 1960: 5 million were employed in service industries-1 in 5 people/5% of the population

Question 6

The Consumer Boom
(Raising Living Incomes
and Living Standards)

Answer 6

• Economic and low unemployment brought rising wages and a spectacular rise in income
• People felt more affluent and there was a growth in consumerism
• In the run-up to the 1955 Election, Butler was able to boost Conservative election prospects with a ‘give-away budget’ that provided the middle-classes with £134 million in tax cuts
• Run-up to the 1959 Election, Heath-cote Amory boosted Conservative election prospects with another ‘give-away budget’ providing middle-classes with £370 million in tax cuts
• Late 1950s: improvement in world trade enabled Britain to import 29% more goods than in 1951 for the same number of imports

Question 7

A ‘Property-Owning
Democracy’

Answer 7

• Housing explosion made possible with the relative case with which money could be borrowed and repaid over a long period of time
• Encouraged by government, banks and building societies with things such as mortgages allowing more people to buy their own homes
• Conservative Party called this a ‘property-owning democracy’
• Many people were encouraged to become home-owners based on the principle that the ownership of property is an essential component of democracy

Question 8

The Age of Affluence

Answer 8

• Britain enjoyed a higher income per head than any other major country except the US
• Late 1950s were years of optimism
• British enjoyed more jobs, money, goods, better housing and the provisions of the new welfare state
• Adults who were used to wartime deprivation, now found themselves with money to spend on cars, new appliances, luxuries and entertainment
• Younger generation who were growing up oblivious to past shortages and amid plenty, sought to enjoy life to its fullest