Changes in Britain from 1945-Present
- Created by: SGriffin49
- Created on: 05-07-21 11:29
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- Changes in Britain 1945-Present
- Post-War Changes
- Britain saw huge social change after WWII and the country was bankrupt.
- Winston Churchill was voted out and the Labour Party nationalised electricity, water, gas and health care.
- Food rationing continued until 1954.
- Rebuilding continued in the 1950s.
- Immigration increased from Commonweal-th nations, mainly the Caribbean and Indian subcontinent.
- After losing the Suez Canal it became clear that Britain was no longer a super power.
- Britain could no longer afford its large empire and by 1970 had withdrawn from almost all of its colonies.
- Population Changes
- Between 1948 and 1997 the population rose from 47 million to 58 million.
- Britain needed more workers after the war so encouraged people from the Commonweal-th to move to the UK.
- Many people from the West Indies and India moved to Britain and in the 1960s there was an increase in Asian and African immigrants.
- In the 1960s race relations laws were put in place to stop discrimination because of race or nationality.
- Emigration from Britain to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa increased.
- By the 1990s the population was around 58 million and 16% of the population were over 65.
- Work Changes
- Traditional industries such as coal mining and ship building have largely disappeared. The focus now is on service industries like banking and finance.
- Between the 1940s and 1960s the number of women in work doubled from 6 million to 12 million.
- In the 1970s it was becoming more expensive to produce British goods in British factories. Many factories had to close and unemploymen-t rose.
- Many coal mines closed as the demand for coal decreased. Electricity was now generated from power stations burning oil or gas.
- In 1972 coal miners went on strike leading to huge problems with British work life including a temporary 3 day working week so electricity could be rationed.
- In 1979 1 in 12 people were self employed. In the 1990s 1 in eight were self employed.
- Social Change
- In the early 1950s very few people had a television. However, televisions became more popular after the broadcast of the Queen's coronation in 1953. Commercial television started in 1955.
- From the 1960s Abortion and homosexualit-y became legal and capital punishment was abolished.
- The contraceptive pill was introduced in the 1960s. Women could also choose to have a career over having children.
- Young people became known as ;teenagers' and broke free of their parents control.
- It became acceptable to dress as you pleased. New types of music and bands such as the Beatles became popular.
- In 1963, 82% of households had a TV. 72% had a vacuum cleaner. 45% had a washing machine. 30% had a refrigerator.
- From 1971 to 1983 the number of houses with a fixed bath or shower rose from 88% to 97%. those with an indoor toiler rose from 87% to 97%. The number of households with central heating doubled.
- West Indian and Asian culture became part of British life.
- Political and Economic Change
- The 1945 Labour government were responsible for the post war consensus. It was believed the government should play a positive role in greater equality.
- The government tried to maintain full employment by cutting taxes and increasing spending.
- Trade Unions were playing an important role in workers lives.
- Britain joined NATO in 1949 and the European Community in 1973.
- During the 1960s and 1970s the successive governments tried to improve the economy which was known as the 'sick man of Europe'.
- 'The Winter of Discontent' in 1979 turned people against the Labour Party. Margaret thatcher became the first female PM.
- During the 1980s the Conservatives privatised many of the nationalised industries such as gas and electricity.
- The Conservatives remained in power until 1997 when Tony Blair won the election.
- Post-War Changes
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