The second Labour Government 1929-31

Question 1

Marwick’s Theory

Answer 1

• the 1920’s represented a defeat for the left in the UK. The defeat of the general strike represented the death of ‘militant socialists’ methods.
• the resignation of MacDonald and the formation of a national coalition in 1931 represented the defeat of the parliamentary labour party’s attempts to prove it was the party of government.
• tory interwar dominance was because of tory democracy and moderate conservatives.

Question 2

Key concepts of the second Labour Government 1929-31

Answer 2

• Wall Street crash
• MacDonald led a second minority government. The balance of power in any contentious issue was with the Liberals who had 59 seats.
• labour continued its housing programme and moderation
• in foreign affairs it followed a concessionary policy towards nationalists and focused on disarmament talks in the League.

Question 3

Domestic policy of the second Labour Government 1929-31

Answer 3

GOOD
1930 housing act- Arthur greenwood renewed the council-house building scheme and increased the rate of slum clearance.
-1930 coal mines act reduced the miner’s working day from 8 to 7.5 hours

BAD
-attempts to repeal the 1927 trade unions act and a tabled education bill in 1929 were defeated.

Question 4

Foreign policy of the second Labour Government 1929-31

Answer 4

GOOD
Young plan 1929 towards Germany reducing reparations form £6,600 million to £2,000 million over 59 years.

BAD
-India and Ghandi Salt Satyagraha campaign

Question 5

Wall Street crash

Answer 5

1929 us banks pull back, Britain vitally relied on USA because of their debt system.

• the depression takes 18 months to reach England
• focus on foreign policy (1) international affairs, League (2) giving in to nationalists in the empire

Question 6

Palestine

Answer 6

1929- riots among Arab sections caused a government enquiry
1930- The hope-Simpson commission conducts an investigation and publishes a statement of policy known as the passfield white paper. It declares that Palestine has limited absorptive capacity and proposes restrictions on Jewish immigration.

[1930- Two labour groups merge to form the mapai party, socialist egalitarian ideal holding the view that the interests of labour and Zionists are the same.]

1931- MacDonald repudiates the passfield white paper, known to Arabs as the black latter.

Question 7

Complications in India

Answer 7

in 1930 Gandhi launched the salt Satyagraha campaign.
-the government responded by inviting Indian leaders to London for a round table conference- the Indian congress refuses to attend.
-Lord Irwin arrests 80000 Indians
-1931 Gandhi Irwin pact
_Round Table Conference 1931 (passed 1935) drew up a new government of India bill to make Indians ‘partner’ in government which meant home rule for India. Britain remained in control of communication, army, police and foreign policy. (Split conservatives- Churchill resigns as shadow cabinet and sets up Empire Defence League)

Question 8

Financial crisis in Britain

Answer 8

• unemployment was 2.5 million 1931

- export had fallen by a third from 1928-1930