Theme 3 - Class And Social Values Flashcards
What factors caused a brake down of the class system during WW1?
- High death toll reduced trust lower classes had in upper class generals
- Trench work resulted in lower and middle class men working equally
What caused a decrease in the upper class after the war?
High death toll of upper class meant that lots of death duties had to be paid. Many aristocrats had to sell land to afford these taxes and many couldn’t afford to keep houses
Why was the impact on the upper class not as bad as many had thought?
They owned many properties and therefore selling some did not have much effect
Why did the government fear revolts throughout the 1920’s?
Working class wanted greater freedom and felt they had a chance to gain greater equality
What showed that the class system was not going to be changing in the interwar period?
Depression hurt lower classes, caused decrease in strikes and areas such as Wales were plunged into poverty
What factors caused a brake down of the class system during WW2?
Evacuation, bombing and rationing caused classes to interact in ways they never had before
What did many believe would happen to the class system after WW2?
It would be ended
What did studies show actually happened after WW2?
Classes still remained intact and in fact were reinforced by wartime events such as the evacuation
Was the Labour Landslide victory an indication of a class revolt in 1945?
No - it just highlighted that people did not want to re-experience the conservative government’s of the 1930’s
What caused an increase in working class prosperity after the war?
End of rationing in 1954 and increase in consumer credit
What was the satire boom? Give an example
TV, radio and film shows that ridiculed the class system. "Beyond the Fringe" made fun of the establishment, government, army and the upper class "That was the week that was" was the first time politicians were rigorously questioned on TV
What was the British New Wave? Give an example
Novels that depicted working class men and women coming to terms with the end of old working-class world and birth of new prosperity. "Saturday night Sunday morning"
What were the sex scandals of the 1960’s?
Sex parties at Cliveden house that important establishment figures attended were rumoured in the news
What was the Profumo scandal? And what was the significance of it?
Profumo was the minister of war at the time and it was believed that he was sharing a 19 year old girl with a soviet man.
It was the first sex scandal to be properly covered by the news and profumo’s denial then admittance of it shocked the nation
What impact did the satire boom, British new wave and the sex scandals of the 1960’s have on society?
Public attitudes towards authorities were dramatically transformed. Many started to disagree with them and voice there own opinions
