Decline in Deference was the most significant social change in the period 1951-64.

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  • Decline in Deference
    • Decline in Deference was the most significant social change in the period 1951-64.
      • Class
        • The Growing affluence of Britain in the 50's and 60's, the spread of wealth across a much broader section of  the population and the consequent rise in living standards all had the effect of blurring class distinctions.
      • Rising Living Standards.
        • 1951-64, 6.4 million houses were built. Important because Conservatives had pledged to do so and because it created a Property owning democracy where people were encouraged to become homeowners. 60% were private dwellings.
          • Access to credited meant people could buy mod cons, Liberated teenagers and women. However, people may have been a bit frivolous. By 1960, there were 10 million TV sets in use.
        • Car ownership increased (By 25% between 1957 and 1959)  which meant more roads were needed and motorways therefore increasing jobs. Opened up work opportunities across the country.
        • Material well being was evident but there were still problems regarding unemployment. Which in Macmillans final years of 61-63 went from 419,000 to 878,000.
      • Teenagers and Youth Culture
        • Accountated for about 10% of the population. Making them more visible and economically important.
        • Young people in the 1960's were the first to have not lived through the grim times of the war and the depression.
        • Young people had money to buy records and fashion helping to create their own culture.
        • Teddy boys were seen as a worrying phenomenon and were linked with Juvenile delinquency and rising crime.
      • Immigration and Racial Violence.
        • By 1958, about 210,000 Commonwealth immigrants had settled in Britain.
          • Immigration was regarded as economically desirable, as they filled many important low waged jobs.
        • 74% were male, working to support families back home. The largest number came from the West Indies.
          • There were many unpleasant examples of outright racism from the host communities and instances of friction and resentment against immigrants.
            • In the 1950's Britain received a total of 676,000 immigrants seeking permanent residence whilst 1.32 million left to countries like Australia and North America.
              • Significant because it resulted in the loss of workers. A lot of money went on education and training for it then to be applied elsewhere.
              • By the late 1950's, perceptions were altered by racial tensions. In August 1958, in Nottingham gangs of white youths went on what they called '****** hunts' after pub brawls. And in the same year, riots broke out in Notting Hiill, London.
                • 'Within half an hour the mob which had swelled to uncontrollable numbers had broken scores of windows and set upon two negroes'- A repoter for the Kensignton News describing what he saw at the Notting Hill Riots.
    • Concerns of the development of nuclear weapons led to the development of the pressure group CND in 1958.
      • Backed by many intellectuals and mobilising middle class who wanted to follow a policy of unilateral nuclear disarmament.
        • Suez- exposed blatant lying on the Government's part.
    • Satire Boom- TV show 'That was the week that was', satirising and lampooning public figures. Beyond the Fringe was a stage show featuring Peter Cook.
      • The press coverage of the Profumo affair- Exposed sexual exploits which the Government had usually tried to rpevent the publication of.
    • Encouraged the tendency to challenge authority which was sigificant because Britain appeared to be becoming a more individualist society.
      • Also could show a rise in education because people were becoming more opinionated and aware of what was going on.
  • Also showed a lack of faith in the establishment who as the politicians, civil servants, judges, leaders in business were running the country.
    • The press coverage of the Profumo affair- Exposed sexual exploits which the Government had usually tried to rpevent the publication of.
  • Wages rose ahead of prices,wwemt from £8.30 in 1951 to £18.35 in 1964. Important because people could buy more with their money and it kept ahead of inflation.
    • 1951-64, 6.4 million houses were built. Important because Conservatives had pledged to do so and because it created a Property owning democracy where people were encouraged to become homeowners. 60% were private dwellings.
      • Access to credited meant people could buy mod cons, Liberated teenagers and women. However, people may have been a bit frivolous. By 1960, there were 10 million TV sets in use.
  • 74% were male, working to support families back home. The largest number came from the West Indies.
    • There were many unpleasant examples of outright racism from the host communities and instances of friction and resentment against immigrants.
      • In the 1950's Britain received a total of 676,000 immigrants seeking permanent residence whilst 1.32 million left to countries like Australia and North America.
        • Significant because it resulted in the loss of workers. A lot of money went on education and training for it then to be applied elsewhere.
        • By the late 1950's, perceptions were altered by racial tensions. In August 1958, in Nottingham gangs of white youths went on what they called '****** hunts' after pub brawls. And in the same year, riots broke out in Notting Hiill, London.
          • 'Within half an hour the mob which had swelled to uncontrollable numbers had broken scores of windows and set upon two negroes'- A repoter for the Kensignton News describing what he saw at the Notting Hill Riots.

Comments

nicole17sav

Report

would you not include race riots and sectors of the youth sub culture as part of the decline in deference?

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