Workbook 1- The Post-War Consensus And The Age Of Affluence. 1951-1964. Flashcards
Who were the 4 Conservative Prime Ministers between 1951 and 1964?
Winston Churchill, Anthony Eden, Harold MacMillan, Alec Douglas-Home
Years of Churchill’s premiership?
1951 - 1955
Years of Eden’s premiership?
1955 - 1957
Years of Macmillan’s premiership?
1957 - 1963
Years of Douglas-Home’s premiership?
1963 - 1964
What were Churchill’s key focuses as prime minister?
• Great international statesman but more concerned with domestic affairs
• Used non-Conservative peers to oversee ministries
• Managed rivalry between Eden and Butler within his government
• 300,000 new houses built per year
• Expansion of grammar and technical schools
What were Anthony Eden’s key actions and challenges during his tenure?
• Macmillan resisted him, failing to rein in trade unions
• Placed greater emphasis on technical education
• Passed the Clean Air Act 1956 to improve air quality
• Resigned after the disastrous Suez Crisis in 1957
What were the significant achievements of Harold MacMillan?
• Unifying the party as seen as a safe pair of hands
• Nicknamed “Supermac” due to economic growth in the late 1950s
• Increased the Conservative majority in 1959 by 100 seats
• Housing and town planning aimed to improve living and working conditions
• Abolished the death penalty and decriminalized homosexuality with the Homicide Act
• Resigned due to economic decline and “Night of the Long Knives” in 1963
What were the key points of Alec Douglas-Home’s tenure?
• Compromise candidate to replace Macmillan
• Seen as out of touch with the electorate and the party establishment
• Oversaw reform of the party, education, and some economic growth
• Lost the 1964 election to Labour
What was the post-war consensus among political parties in the UK?
• Agreement on a mixed economy with state involvement and private enterprise
• Support for the NHS/Welfare state
• Commitment to full employment and working with trade unions and employers
What were the challenges faced by the UK in the post-war consensus period?
• Though the economy grew steadily and living standards increased, there was still a need for stop-go economics, higher imports, and rising wage demands
• Britain slipped behind foreign competitors like West Germany, the US, and Japan
What were the reasons for the Conservatives losing the 1964 election?
- Economic failures and employment issues.
- Rising inflation and lower real wages.
- Marginalised party figures like Butler.
- The Profumo Affair and other scandals (e.g., George Blake, Cambridge 5).
- Mockery by satirists/media.
- Unpopularity of the “Night of the Long Knives.”
- Outdated/old-fashioned image of the party.
- Lack of leadership clarity.
- Failed to manage expectations and retain public trust.
What were the significant economic failures under the Conservatives leading up to 1964?
- Trade balance was worsening.
- Imports were 20% higher than exports by 1964.
- Inflation rose due to wage rises and European failures (EEC/VETO).
- High unemployment (878,000 jobless).
- Criticism from trade unions due to lack of investment in industries.
- Internal conflicts within the Cabinet (MacLeod, Powell vs. others).
- UK rejected from EEC, diminishing global influence.
- Increase in taxes and balance of payments deficits.
- Inconsistent economic policies and budgets under Macmillan and Maudling.
What were the key economic successes under the Conservatives leading up to 1964?
- Global economic boom increased trade and prosperity.
- Unemployment decreased significantly from 878,000 to 297,000.
- Rise in wages.
- Significant budget surplus (£132 million) in 1960.
- Gross National Product (GNP) growing by 5% annually by 1964.
- Economic recovery from 1959 under Macmillan.
- Formation of the National Economic Development Council (NEDC) as a strategy for long-term economic growth.
What were the main Labour divisions in the lead-up to the election?
• Splits occurred over ideological differences.
• The right wing led by Gaitskell vs. the left wing led by Bevan.
• Conflict on how to approach nuclear weapons and the welfare state.
• Opposition to the Conservative government was not always united.
• Disagreement on whether to follow a more socialist or moderate path.
What is Keynesianism and how was it applied by the Conservatives?
• Keynesianism involves using government expenditure and fiscal policies to manage the economy.
• Conservatives applied Keynesian economic principles to reinvest in infrastructure and public services.
• They aimed to stimulate economic recovery and maintain employment.
• This approach, however, led to artificial booms, and not all investments were effective.
What were Britain’s major foreign relations issues under the Conservatives government between 1951-1964?
EFTA and Attempts to Join EEC:
• UK initially distanced itself from European integration, creating the EFTA as an alternative.
• Applied to join the EEC in 1961, vetoed by French President Charles de Gaulle.
• This rejection highlighted the UK’s declining global influence.
How did the UK relate to the US during the Cold War?
- Nuclear Deterrent:
• UK developed its nuclear deterrent, not always sharing secrets with the US.
• Strong military cooperation, despite some tension.- Key Events:
• Suez Crisis (1956): Damaged UK-US relations, showing the UK’s reduced global power.
• UK supported US policies in the Cold War, maintaining the “special relationship.”
- Key Events:
What was the impact of the “winds of change” speech and decolonisation in Britain?
• In 1960, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan’s “Winds of Change” speech marked a shift towards decolonization.
• Many African nations gained independence during the early 1960s.
• Generally peaceful, but it symbolized the end of the British Empire as a world power.
What were the key social developments in Britain during the 1950s and early 1960s?
• Rising Living Standards:
• Expansion of homeownership, creation of new towns, and the growth of consumer goods.
• Affluence and consumerism characterized the era.
• Affluence and Consumption:
• TV ownership expanded, creating a shared culture.
• The rise of a consumer society, marked by the purchase of cars and household appliances.
How did social class and “the establishment” change during this period?
• Class Structure:
• Decline in deference towards traditional elites.
• “Angry Young Men” and satirical media critiqued the class system.
• The Establishment:
• Criticized for being out of touch with modern society.
• Politicians like Harold Macmillan were seen as part of this outdated elite.
What changes occurred in the role and position of women in Britain from 1951-1964?
• Increase in women’s participation in the workforce.
• Growing challenges to traditional gender roles, though change was slow.
• Emergence of feminist ideas, though limited by prevailing societal norms.
How did youth culture evolve in Britain during the 1950s and 1960s?
• Youth Culture:
• Emergence of distinct youth subcultures like the “Teddy Boys” and “Mods.”
• Influence of American culture, particularly through music and fashion.
• Rise of youth as a significant consumer group.
What were the implications of the racial and immigration issues in Britain during this period?
Rise in Immigration:
• Large-scale immigration from the Commonwealth countries.
• Led to racial tensions and the introduction of immigration controls.
Race Relations: • Racial conflicts, such as the Notting Hill Riots in 1958, exposed deep-seated racial issues. • These tensions marked the beginning of a more multicultural society.
