The Sixties (1964-70)

Question 1

PMs during the 1960s

Answer 1

Harold MacMillan 1957-63
Sir Alec Douglas-Home 1963-64

Question 2

Governments during the 1960s

Answer 2

Conservatives (previous decades - 64)
Labour 1964-70

Question 3

Elections during the 1960s

Answer 3

1964: Labour victory with slim majority
1966: Labour victory with strong majority

Question 4

What was the Establishment?

Answer 4

The ruling class of a society with strong political influence, many in Macmillan’s government were nobles + Douglas-Home had formerly been the 14th Earl of Home, highlighting the class divisions in Britain.

Question 5

What was the failure of the Blue Streak Missile programme?

Answer 5

In 1960, the independent British nuclear deterrent was abandoned in favour of USA Polaris Missiles.

Question 6

Britain’s EEC Application

Answer 6

Submitted in 1961 but vetoed by French president, Charles De Gaulle in 1963 because he was suspicious of the UK + of US influence via the UK.

Question 7

What was the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Answer 7

The 1962 confrontation between US + the Soviet Union over Soviet missiles in Cuba, during which Britain was kept informed but remained largely a bystander.

Question 8

What was the Burgess + Maclean affair?

Answer 8

Guy Burgess + Donald Maclean, two highly place British intelligence officers, defected to the USSR in ‘51 + this hampered trust between US + UK into 1960s.

Question 9

What was the ‘Winds of Change’ speech?

Answer 9

Harold MacMillan gave his ‘Winds of Change’ speech outlining a new policy of peaceful decolonisation in 1960 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Question 10

How much debt did Labour inherit when they came into government in 1964?

Answer 10

£800 million

Question 11

What was the Prices + Incomes Policy?

Answer 11

Policies introduced by Wilson alongside a Prices + Incomes Board to limit prices + wage rises to prevent inflation.

Question 12

What was the 1966 National Union of Seamen Strike?

Answer 12

A wildcat strike by the NUS that caused delay of exports + a sterling crisis.

Question 13

What was the November 1967 devaluation?

Answer 13

Wilson gave a speech on TV announcing that the pound had been devalued by 14% to $2.40.

Question 14

What was In Place of Strife 1969?

Answer 14

A white paper to restrict trade unions proposed by by labour + headed by minister Barbara Castle, including a 28 day cooling-off period before a strike took place, strike ballots, government powers to impose a settlement when unions were in dispute with each other + an industrial relations court to prosecute those who broke the rules.

Question 15

Labour divisions in the 1960s

Answer 15

Labour was more united than it had been in the 1950s after the deaths of Bevan + Gaitskell.
Wilson united the party over modernisation + due to Wilson’s scheming to ensure he could never suffer a leadership challenge from his ministers.

Question 16

Start of troubles in Northern Ireland

Answer 16

• There were also cultural differences between the North and South of Ireland. The North was mainly Protestant while the South mainly Catholic.
• Discrimination: In the North, Catholics were discriminated against in employment and housing. The Parliament was largely Protestant and also discriminated against Catholics.
• In 1967 NICRA (Northern Irish Civil Rights Association) was established, fighting for civil rights for the Catholics in Northern Ireland.
• In 1969, the situation worsended during the Apprentice Boys’ annual procession when unionists were attacked by nationalists in the Catholic area of the Bogside.
  Riots continued across Northern Ireland and in 1969, Harold Wilson deployed the British army there to keep the peace.

Question 17

Liberalising legislation

Answer 17

End of capital punishment 1965: abolished death penalty for murder, made permanent in 1969.
Divorce Reform Act 1969: allowed divorce if couples had lived apart for 2 years with both wanting a divorce or having lived 5 years apart + 1 wanting divorce.
Abortion Act 1967: legalised abortion within first 28 weeks with medical supervision, 2 doctors’ written consent + the justification of either mental or physical suffering.
Sexual Offences Act 1967: decriminalised homosexual acts in which both parties consented + were over the age of 21 + they had to be in private.
Establishment of Open University 1969: providing higher education for people who had previously been unable or prevented from attending traditional universities.

Question 18

Reductions in censorship

Answer 18

George Strauss, Labour backbencher, introduced a bill to abolish theatre censorship + it passed into law in 1968 with Jenkins’ support.
Films remained subject to strict categorisation, but screen violence became increasingly acceptable + explicit as the decade went on.

Question 19

Developments in women’s rights

Answer 19

• Increased education + access to higher education encouraged women to develop higher expectations, but workplaces were still biased against them.
• Increased availability of jobs increased women’s independence, but they were still responsible for children + the home.
• Easier divorce created gender reforms, but women still lacked economic independence.

Question 20

Rhodesia Crisis

Answer 20

November 1965: After several unsuccessful attempts to persuade Britain to grant independence, Rhodesia Unilateral Declaration of Independence was announced, claiming that they now regarded themselves as an independent sovereign state - previously British territory in Southern Africa.

Question 21

Loyalist/Unionist

Answer 21

Someone who wishes to remain in the UK and is loyal to the British crown.

Question 22

Nationalist/Republican

Answer 22

Someone who believes in Irish independance and a united Ireland.

Question 23

Sectarian

Answer 23

A person strongly following a particular sect, for example, a Protestant or a Catholic.

Question 24

Sovereignty

Answer 24

The ability of a state or country to govern itself.

Question 25

Absenteeism

Answer 25

Refusal of government officials to attend parliament.

Question 26

Diaspora

Answer 26

A group of people that has dispersed from their traditional homeland.

Question 27

Irish Political Parties

Answer 27

Ulster Unionist Party - remaining loyal to British Crown and avoid independent Ireland.

Sin Fein - wanted an Irish republic and avoid British involvement.