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Modern Britain > Wilson as leader: 1964-70 > Flashcards

Wilson as leader: 1964-70 Flashcards

1
Q

What was the key to Wilson’s image?

A

He was a moderniser and an everyman

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2
Q

What about the conservatives made Wilson’s image even more effective?

A

Their leader, Alec Douglas-Home was an aristocrat, so Wilson appealed to the everyman

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3
Q

How did Wilson’s view on science help him win?

A

He spoke confidently about Britain catching up with the “White Heat” of technological and scientific change

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4
Q

I) Who was Hume’s replacement?

II) What was he like?

A

I) Edward Heath

II) Awkward and Dull

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5
Q

What was the Labour Majority in 1964?

A

4 Seats

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6
Q

I) When did Labour call another election under Wilson?

II) What was the result?

A

I) 1966

II) The majority increased to 98

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7
Q

I) Did Wilson support Gaitskell or Bevan?

II) What shows this?

A

I) Bevan

II) He resigned over prescription charges when Bevan did

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8
Q

What was Wilson’s view on CND?

A

He supported having Nuclear Weapons

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9
Q

What was Wilson’s view on the Unions?

A

He thought that they had exceeded their power, and he tried (unsuccessfully) to reform them

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10
Q

What was Wilson’s view on his own cabinet?

A

He was an anxious leader, especially because there were many heavyweight politicians in his cabinate

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11
Q

Who were some of the key cabinet member’s Wilson was anxious of?

A

Gaistskell, Jenkins and George Brown

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12
Q

What is a key example of Wilson’s anxiety?

A

“The Kitchen Cabinet” of advisors who were not cabinet members nor civil servants

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13
Q

What were two key disadvantages of “The Kitchen Cabinet”?

A

These advisors made him more anxious of the rest of the party, and Wilson was unapproachable

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14
Q

What was the biggest problem in Wilson’s government?

A

The Economy

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15
Q

I) What was a key issue with Labour’s desire to technologically modernise?
II) What are two key examples of this?

A

I) Most of the cabinet were inexperienced

II) Jenkins as aviation minister and Cousins as Technology minister

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16
Q

How much of a government deficit did Wilson inherit?

A

£800 Million

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17
Q

What did Wilson not want to devalue the pound? (2)

A

I) Atlee had already done so in 1949; did not want a reputation as the party of devaluation
II) It makes England look weak on the world stage

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18
Q

What are the positives of Devaluation?

A

I) Exports become cheaper

II) Imports become more expensive; encourages buying British which can bolster the economy

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19
Q

I) What did Wilson do to try and break out of Stop-Go?

II) Who did Wilson place in charge?

A

I) Set up the DEA

II) George Brown

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20
Q

Why was George Brown a controversial figure?

A

He was inconsistent, and there were rumours that he was an alcoholic

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21
Q

What were the two main issues the treasury clashed with the DEA on?

A

I) They did not like a new upstart department having power over them
II) Chancellor Jim Callaghan did not like Brown’s level of influence in this area

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22
Q

What did Wilson do to try and Combat the issues between the DEA and the Treasury?

A

He moved Brown to the Foreign Office in 1966

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23
Q

Why did Wilson need to give Brown a prominent position in government?

A

He was popular in the party and very experienced. The DEA was arguably the wrong role

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24
Q

When was the DEA shut down?

A

1967

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25
Q

What did Wilson set up to keep wages and prices at a reasonable level?

A

The Prices and Incomes board

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26
Q

What did the call for wage restraint lead to? (2)

A

I) 1966 Seamen strike

II) Cousins resigns over “increased pressure” on the unions

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27
Q

What would be an internal issue for Wilson following the call for wage restrain?

A

He became unpopular with the left of his party

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28
Q

When was the Devaluation crisis?

A

1967

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29
Q

What effected British Oil Prices?

A

The war in the Middle East

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30
Q

I) What was the problem with exports in 1967?

II) What did this lead to?

A

I) The dock strike of August 1967

II) Another balance of payments crisis and the eventual devaluation of the pound

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31
Q

How much did Wilson devalue the pound against the dollar?

A

14%

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32
Q

What, aside from devaluation, did labour do in 1967 which they did not want to do?

A

Use deflationary tactics

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33
Q

What was the effect of the 1967 EEC application?

A

It was rejected

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34
Q

What was Jenkins’ major success as chancellor?

A

He achieved a balance of payments surplus in 1969

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35
Q

What was inflation at in 1969-70?

A

12% (very high)

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36
Q

When was Roy Jenkins appointed as home secretary?

A

December 1965

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37
Q

What was Jenkins predominant political stance?

A

liberal

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38
Q

In the early 60s, what percentage of people polled had a positive view of the unions?

A

60%

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39
Q

What appointment shows Wilson’s support of, and closeness to, the unions?

A

Frank Cousins as Minister of Technology

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40
Q

I) What were the “Wildcat” strikes?
II) Who carried these out?
III) When?

A

I) Unofficial strikes
II) The seamen and dockers
III) 1966-67

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41
Q

What did the Wildcat strikes show?

A

The union bosses were loosing their grip to an extent

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42
Q

What was Wilson’s view on the unions following these strikes?

A

That there should still be unions but that they should be more regulated?

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43
Q

What did Wilson’s view that the Unions needed greater regualtion lead to?

A

In Place Of Strife

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44
Q

I) Who published the plans for In Place Of Strife

II) When was it published?

A

I) Barbara Castle

II) January 1969

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45
Q

What was Castle’s view on the Unions?

A

The same as Wilson; she supported them, but thought the unofficial strikes needed dealing with

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46
Q

What did the In Place of Strife document stipulate? (4)

A

I) A 28 day “Cooling off” period
II) The proposal of Strike Ballots
III) The proposal that government could impose a settlement where two Trade Unions were in dispute with each other (demarcation disputes)
IV) The creation of an industrial relations court to prosecute those who break the laws

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47
Q

What was the general public opinion on In Place Of Strife?

A

They were in support

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48
Q

Give one other key labour politician (not Wilson or castle) who supported In Place of Strife?

A

Roy Jenkins (he was Chancellor by this point)

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49
Q

Who was the major opposition against In Place of Strife outside the Labour party?

A

Jack Jones, a powerful union boss (secretary for Transport and General Workers Union)

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50
Q

I) How many labour MP’s opposed In Place of Strife?

II) Who was the leader of this movement?

A

I) 50

II) Jim Callaghan

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51
Q

Why was Wilson a “centrist” leader?

A

He was a middle ground between Bevan and Gaitskell by the time of both of their death. This united the party at the start of his Term

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52
Q

What key figures did Wilson fear leadership challenges from?

A

Brown, Callaghan and Jenkins

53
Q

Who did Wilson defeat for Party Leadership after Gaitskell stepped down?

A

George Brown. He took this very badly

54
Q

Aside from his leadership defeat, what else frustrated Brown?

A

He was passed over for the role of Foreign Secretary in 1964

55
Q

How did Wilson try to mitigate Brown’s ability to usurp him?

A

Kept a file of his embarrassing incidents

56
Q

I) What was Wilson’s primary reason for distrusting Jenkins?
II) Why were Jenkins liberal reforms a point of conflict between him and Wilson

A

I) He was a Gaistkellite
II) Wilson was more focused on the economy and did not see the need to focus so much on these reforms. He was not strongly against them, however

57
Q

What political idea did Wilson see as a leadership ploy from Jenkins?

A

Jenkins desire to devalue the pound. Wilson though this was a plan to embarrass him on the world stage, thus forcing his resignation

58
Q

Who was Callaghan’s major conflict with in the Party under Wilson?

A

Roy Jenkins

59
Q 
What was Callaghans stance on: 
I) The EEC 
II) Liberalising reforms
III) Devaluation 
IV) Union Reform
A

I) Against
II) Against
III) Against
IV) Against, and even led the opposition

60
Q

What side of the Party were Callaghan, Jenkins and Brown on?

A

The Right

61
Q

What side is Wilson’s major criticism coming from?

A

The Left. They felt he was stepping away from socialism

62
Q

When did Ireland become 2 countries?

A

1922

63
Q

I) When do tensions rise in Northern Ireland Under wilson?

II) What displayed this?

A

I) 1968

II) Loyalists attacked civil rights marches in 1968

64
Q

What did the Civil Rights marches claim after the 1968 attacks?

A

The RUC (the police) had failed to protect them and evidenced this as discrimination

65
Q

What action in 1969 shows further tension

A

The Loyalist Apprentice Boys annual march in Derry was attacked by nationalists in the Catholic Bogside area

66
Q

What was the fallout of the 1969 attacks?

A

2 days of rioting and the RUC failing to regain control. Videos emerged of the RUC beating Catholic protestors

67
Q

I) What did the Northern Irish parliament say they would do in response to the riots?
II) What was the fallout of this?

A

I) Tackle housing and electoral boundaries

II) The Loyalists claimed that this was the government giving in to Catholic violence, and they rioted

68
Q

What did the Loyalist rioting lead Wilson to do in 1969?

A

Send in the British Army to restore calm

69
Q

Were the nationalists for or against British rule?

A

Against

70
Q

What were two events in the 50s which made people question the establishment?

A

The Suez Crisis and the Profumo affair

71
Q

Did Wilson want to push for social change upon his 1964 election win?

A

No, he was more focused on the economy and scientific change

72
Q

What was a free vote and why was it important?

A

The party members were allowed to vote from their conscience, not the party line. This led to greater social change

73
Q

How did much of the liberalising legislation begin?

A

As private members bills. They were put forward by backbench MP’s

74
Q

Why was Jenkins still instrumental in the success of these private members bills?

A

As a leading politician he made sure there was enough time to discuss the issues

75
Q

What case was especially influential in the campaign against capitol punishment?

A

The Ruth Ellis case 1955

76
Q

When did the government reduce the number of offences carrying the death penalty?

A

Homicide Act 1957

77
Q

Which Labour MP campaigned for the abolition of hanging for 5 years?

A

Sydney Silverman

78
Q

I) When did the 5 year trial period for the abolition of hanging begin?
II) When was hanging abolished completely?

A

I) 1965

II) 1969

79
Q

When did Jenkins end corporal punishment in prisons

A

1967

80
Q

What change did Jenkins make to the jury system?

A

Made it majority verdict (10-2 instead of unanimous)

81
Q

When was the divorce reform act passed?

A

1969

82
Q

What did the divorce rate go up to?

A

10 in 1000 from 2 in 1000

83
Q

What, other than the act, is argued to have effected divorce rates?

A

Growing independence for women

84
Q

How many illegal abortions happened per year before 1967?

A

100,000-200,000

85
Q

How many women died from abortions between 1958-60?

A

83

86
Q

Who campaigned for abortion reform?

A

The Abortion Law Reform association

87
Q

I) Which MP introduced a Private Members bill to reform the law?
II) What party was he part of?

A

I) David Steel

II) Liberal

88
Q

When was the abortion act passed?

A

1967

89
Q

What did the number of abortions per number of live births increase to by 1975?

A

from 4 to 17.6

90
Q

When was Homsexual relations decrimanalised?

A

1967

91
Q

Who pushed for the comprehensive school system?

A

Tony Crosland

92
Q

I) When was the Circular 10/65 issued?

II) What did it stipulate

A

I) 1965

II) It was a request for the LEA’s to convert to the tripartite system, though it was not legally binding

93
Q

What change in 1966 made the Circular 10/65 more popular?

A

Crossland made funding for more school buildings contingent on adherence to the 10/65

94
Q

What fraction of students were educated in the Comprehensive system by 1970?

A

1/3rd

95
Q

What did Wilson claim the comprehensive system would promote?

A

Grammar school education for everyone

96
Q

I) What was the Robbins Committee?

II) When was it set up?

A

I) A committee set up to evaluate the higher education system
II) 1961

97
Q

What did the Robbins Committee find?

A

That higher education was neglecting science and technology in favour of the arts and humanities. This was following the belief that England’s higher education as falling behind

98
Q

I) What new institutions did Wilson set up

II) How were they different from universities?

A

I) Polytechnics

II) focus on teaching instead of teaching + research

99
Q

How many colleges of advanced technology became universities under Wilson?

A

9

100
Q

How many polytechnics and universities were there by 1968

A

30 polytechnics

56 universities

101
Q

Who helped make the Open University a reality?

A

Jennie Lee (Minister of the Arts

102
Q

I) When was the Open II) University officially open?

When did courses start?

A

I) 1969

II) 1971

103
Q

What was the open universitie’s major goal?

A

Offer higher education to those who may not have been able to access it previously

104
Q

How many open university students were there by 1980?

A

70,000

105
Q

I) What event in 1968 showed the threat of the USSR?

II) What did this re-inforce to Wilson?

A

I) The Prauge Spring

II) How important the atlantic alliance with the USA was, with a focus on protecting the west of Europe

106
Q

When did the US enter Vietnam?

A

1964

107
Q

Which president called for support from overseas?

A

President Johnson

108
Q

Who in the commonwealth sent troops?

A

Australia

109
Q

What was Wilson’s compromise on the Vietman War?

A

He endorsed it but did not send troops

110
Q

Why was Vietnam an economic conflict in England?

A

Sending troops was expensive, but the UK needed US funding

111
Q

What was the political dilema around the Vietnam war?

A

Wilson wanted to keep the USA happy but the war was hugely unpopular in the UK

112
Q

Why was the “moral support” a total failure

A

The labour left were annoyed that Wilson endorsed the war, whereas the USA were unhappy with the lack of commitment

113
Q

I) Who was the major opponent to the EEC?

II) Why?

A

I) Gaitskell

II) He was worried about Europe would become “the united states of Europe”

114
Q

Why were the left of labour like Castle and Benn against the EEC?

A

They viewed it as a capitalist club

115
Q

Which key labour members supported the EEC?

A

Brown and Jenkins

116
Q

Were the unions for or against the EEC?

A

Against

117
Q

What was Callaghan’s approach to the EEC?

A

He did not like it, mainly due to his links with the unions

118
Q

When was the second EEC application authorised?

A

October 1966

119
Q

Why did the ‘66 EEC application seem seem doomed from the start

A

Labour seemed half-hearted in their application, and De Gaule had not seemed to change his mind

120
Q

When was the second EEC application get denied?

A

1967

121
Q

Why was decolonisation a key part of Wilson’s foreign policy?

A

He believed in decolonisation, and Macmillan had pledged it would happen

122
Q

What was the main goal of Minister for defence Denis Healey?

A

Bring the defence budget under £2 Billion

123
Q

What policy did Healey plan to use to reduce defence spending?

A

“East of Suez”

124
Q

What commitment did Wilson make in 1967 regarding defence?

A

Updating the Polaris missle system

125
Q

What cuts led to the speeding up of “east of suez”

A

Jenkins 1968 spending cuts

126
Q

What was the main difficulty in regards to decolonisation?

A

Rhodesia

127
Q

What was the main issue in Rhodesia?

A

The white minority regime

128
Q

How many parts of Rhodesia split into in 1963?

A

3

129
Q

How many parts of Rhodesia become independent in 1964?

A

2

Modern Britain (18 decks)

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