Modern Britain (1951-64)
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- Created by: E1Official
- Created on: 14-04-22 01:15
Reasons for Conservative Dominance (1951-57)
- Reorganisation of the party
- Labour's internal divisions
- Policy development
- Age of austerity under Labour government
- Labour's internal divisions
- Policy development
- Age of austerity under Labour government
1 of 30
Age of Affluence
- Weekly wages nearly doubled (£8.30 in 1951 to £15.35 in 1961)
- 1950 to 63 British exports increased by 25%
- Food rationing ended in 1954
- Butler's £134million tax cut giveaway
- Unemployment was less than 1% in 1955
- 1950 to 63 British exports increased by 25%
- Food rationing ended in 1954
- Butler's £134million tax cut giveaway
- Unemployment was less than 1% in 1955
2 of 30
What were the effects of consumerism?
- Home ownership increased through 300k houses built a year with cheap mortgages
- TV ownership rose by 32% between 1957-59
- Car ownership rose by 25% between 1957-59
- More leisure activities emerged as a result
- TV ownership rose by 32% between 1957-59
- Car ownership rose by 25% between 1957-59
- More leisure activities emerged as a result
3 of 30
Accuracy of Never Had it So Good:
- Presided over a period of affluence and rampant consumerism
- Immigrants had full rights of British citizenship
- Higher income per head more than any other country except the US
- Unemployment was a mere 2%
- Presided over a period of affluence and rampant consumerism
- Immigrants had full rights of British citizenship
- Higher income per head more than any other country except the US
- Unemployment was a mere 2%
Inaccuracy of Never Had it So Good:
- Controversy over the tripartite education system
- The gap between rich and poor widened
- Coal mining and agriculture declined
- Production falling behind in comparison to its European counterparts
- Controversy over the tripartite education system
- The gap between rich and poor widened
- Coal mining and agriculture declined
- Production falling behind in comparison to its European counterparts
4 of 30
Conservative Government under Macmillan (1957-63)
- Had the media in the palm of his hand
- Inflation was rising because wages were ahead of productivity
- Divisions in the cabinet between MacLeod and Thorneycroft, who would resign
- The £ regained its value against the $
- Tax cuts of £370mil
- Inflation was rising because wages were ahead of productivity
- Divisions in the cabinet between MacLeod and Thorneycroft, who would resign
- The £ regained its value against the $
- Tax cuts of £370mil
5 of 30
The Labour Party and its Internal Divisions (1957-63)
- LW Bevanites vs RW Gaitskellites
- Gaitskell introduces prescription charges and Bevan resigns in protest
- Gaitskell abolishes Clause IV triggering LW and TUs
- Many Labour's LWs joined in with CND protests
- Faced opposition from TUs over nukes
- Gaitskell introduces prescription charges and Bevan resigns in protest
- Gaitskell abolishes Clause IV triggering LW and TUs
- Many Labour's LWs joined in with CND protests
- Faced opposition from TUs over nukes
6 of 30
The Problems of Economic Modernisation (1960-63)
- Britain lagged behind in Europe's economic growth
- Balance of payments problem (rising inflation)
- Rejected application from the EEC in 1961
- Formation of the EFTA could not match the EEC
- Britain had to ask the IMF for a loan in 1961
- Balance of payments problem (rising inflation)
- Rejected application from the EEC in 1961
- Formation of the EFTA could not match the EEC
- Britain had to ask the IMF for a loan in 1961
7 of 30
Conservative economic policies (1962-64)
- Chancellor Lloyd set up NEDC in 1962 for better cooperation between employers & unions
- A National Incomes Commission added to monitor wages & prices
- Maudling set up a 'go' phase, lowering interests & increase economic growth from 4% to 6% (1963-64)
- A National Incomes Commission added to monitor wages & prices
- Maudling set up a 'go' phase, lowering interests & increase economic growth from 4% to 6% (1963-64)
8 of 30
Political Problems and fall of Macmillan (1962-63)
- Night of the Long Knives (sacked 7 members, 1/3 of his cabinet)
- Many scandals (including Profumo Affair)
- Illness forced Macmillan to resign in 1963
- Opposition for successor (between Lord Hailsham and Butler)
- Conservatives appeared out of touch
- Many scandals (including Profumo Affair)
- Illness forced Macmillan to resign in 1963
- Opposition for successor (between Lord Hailsham and Butler)
- Conservatives appeared out of touch
9 of 30
Pros of Macmillan's premiership:
- Oversaw economic growth, rising wages and a state of near full employment
- Higher income per head than any other country except the US
- Nearly 5 million people were employed in service industries by 1960
- Oversaw economic growth, rising wages and a state of near full employment
- Higher income per head than any other country except the US
- Nearly 5 million people were employed in service industries by 1960
Cons of Macmillan's premiership:
- Appeared to have an 'Edwardian image'
- Growth in wages was outstripping the rate of increase in production, bringing inflation
- Unions representing industries such as coal were struggling to retain their pre war status
- Appeared to have an 'Edwardian image'
- Growth in wages was outstripping the rate of increase in production, bringing inflation
- Unions representing industries such as coal were struggling to retain their pre war status
10 of 30
'The period 1951-64 was a Golden Age'
- Weekly wages almost doubled since 1951
- Higher income per head than any other country except the US
- April 1959 tax cuts of £370 million
- Home ownership increased
- Unemployment remained below 2%
- Weekly wages almost doubled since 1951
- Higher income per head than any other country except the US
- April 1959 tax cuts of £370 million
- Home ownership increased
- Unemployment remained below 2%
'The period 1951-64 was of economic decline'
- British world trade declined from 1/4 in 1951 to 1/10 by 1975
- Technical education was neglected
- Female workers were paid half the rate to men
- British GDP performance weak compared to Japan and W Germany
- British world trade declined from 1/4 in 1951 to 1/10 by 1975
- Technical education was neglected
- Female workers were paid half the rate to men
- British GDP performance weak compared to Japan and W Germany
11 of 30
Why did Labour win?
- Economic difficulties
- Modern image of the Labour Party
- Harold Wilson
- Tory weakness (scandals, age and Home)
- Election campaigns
- Changing times in Britain
- Modern image of the Labour Party
- Harold Wilson
- Tory weakness (scandals, age and Home)
- Election campaigns
- Changing times in Britain
12 of 30
What influenced social changes in the 1960s?
- Economic prosperity
- Scientific developments
- New consumer goods
- Communications and the colour TV
- Transport
- Medical developments
- Scientific developments
- New consumer goods
- Communications and the colour TV
- Transport
- Medical developments
13 of 30
Social tensions (1951-64)
- Immigration
- Violence, criminality and hooliganism
- Debate on Secondary Education
- Changing attitudes to class
- Profumo Affair
- Influence of the media
- Violence, criminality and hooliganism
- Debate on Secondary Education
- Changing attitudes to class
- Profumo Affair
- Influence of the media
14 of 30
What groups emerged from youth culture (1951-64)?
Teddy Boys - narcissistic posers who stood in small group on sidewalks chewing gum & smoking
Mods - wore tightly tailored suits, had short, cropped hair and listened to modern jazz
Rockers - dirty, vulgar boys, wore leather and defended territory from Mod
Mods - wore tightly tailored suits, had short, cropped hair and listened to modern jazz
Rockers - dirty, vulgar boys, wore leather and defended territory from Mod
15 of 30
Changes in the role of women (1951-64)
- Women were expected to marry in order to live
- 1 in 5 married women were working in 1951 (and 1 in 3 by 1961)
- Opportunities for women in Britain were much greater than France or Italy
- In 1958 a woman would be paid less than 2/3 of a man's wages
- 1 in 5 married women were working in 1951 (and 1 in 3 by 1961)
- Opportunities for women in Britain were much greater than France or Italy
- In 1958 a woman would be paid less than 2/3 of a man's wages
16 of 30
Education system (1951-64)
- Tripartite system
- There were some 1500 grammar schools
- Shortage of 60k teachers in rotting buildings
- 1969 only 13.7% of 17yos were in full time education compared to 75.6% in US
- By 1964, 1 in 10 pupils were at comps (10x more than 1951))
- There were some 1500 grammar schools
- Shortage of 60k teachers in rotting buildings
- 1969 only 13.7% of 17yos were in full time education compared to 75.6% in US
- By 1964, 1 in 10 pupils were at comps (10x more than 1951))
17 of 30
Flaws of grammar schools
- Used IQ tests (11+) for entry that were unreliable
- Up to 60k kids a year were at the 'wrong' school
- 90 of 146 education authorities wanted to move to comp schooling by 1962
- Up to 60k kids a year were at the 'wrong' school
- 90 of 146 education authorities wanted to move to comp schooling by 1962
18 of 30
Reasons for immigration
- British Nationality Act 1948 gave full British citizenship to every inhabitant of the Commonwealth
- Saw Britain as the land of opportunity
- To send money home
- British government encouraged immigration
- Saw Britain as the land of opportunity
- To send money home
- British government encouraged immigration
19 of 30
Immigration statistics
- 1957 census showed 100k born in the New Commonwealth
- By 1958 there were 210k immigrants, 3/4 were male
- 25k including Indians and Pakistanis lived in Brum
- 1950s, 676k stayed whilst 1.32mil Britons left
- 1960s, 1.25mil stayed whilst 1.92mil left
- By 1958 there were 210k immigrants, 3/4 were male
- 25k including Indians and Pakistanis lived in Brum
- 1950s, 676k stayed whilst 1.32mil Britons left
- 1960s, 1.25mil stayed whilst 1.92mil left
20 of 30
Attitudes toward immigration
- Willingness from locals to 'get along'
- Slogans to 'stop coloured immigration' and 'keep Britain white'
- Government saw it as economically desirable
- TGWU threatened strike if forced to take on W Indians
- Survey showed 1/5 objected to work with Blac
- Slogans to 'stop coloured immigration' and 'keep Britain white'
- Government saw it as economically desirable
- TGWU threatened strike if forced to take on W Indians
- Survey showed 1/5 objected to work with Blac
21 of 30
Racial tensions in the late 1950s
- Gangs of white youths instigating violent n* hunts
- Race riots in Notting Hill (Kelso Cochrane stabbed by 6 white youths)
- Tenants took more money from immigrants
- Fascist leader Oswald Mosely ran on the platform of repatriation in the 1959 election
- Race riots in Notting Hill (Kelso Cochrane stabbed by 6 white youths)
- Tenants took more money from immigrants
- Fascist leader Oswald Mosely ran on the platform of repatriation in the 1959 election
22 of 30
How did the government limit immigration?
Commonwealth Immigration Act 1962
- Ended free immigration for former colonial subjects
- A work permit scheme categorised immigrants dependent on their ability to work
- Received 70% public support
- Ended free immigration for former colonial subjects
- A work permit scheme categorised immigrants dependent on their ability to work
- Received 70% public support
23 of 30
Scandals under Macmillan
John Profumo - War Secretary's affair with Keeler who was at the time with a Soviet spy
George Blake - double agent released from London prison exchanged info of agents
John Vassall - blackmailed for being gay by KGB, photographed Admiralty docs
George Blake - double agent released from London prison exchanged info of agents
John Vassall - blackmailed for being gay by KGB, photographed Admiralty docs
24 of 30
Suez Crisis (1956)
- Nasser nationalised Egypt's Suez Canal
- Britain, France and Israel had a secret meeting to invade Egypt
- Claimed to secure peace but wanted control of Canal
- Parliament and the US were unbeknownst
- Labour, public and US objected
- Forced to withdraw
- Britain, France and Israel had a secret meeting to invade Egypt
- Claimed to secure peace but wanted control of Canal
- Parliament and the US were unbeknownst
- Labour, public and US objected
- Forced to withdraw
25 of 30
Effects of Suez Crisis
- Eden looked weak
- Challenged Britain as an imperial power
- Conservative splits (40 MPs rebelled)
- Sterling and trade negatively affected
- Eden resigns in 1957
- Challenged Britain as an imperial power
- Conservative splits (40 MPs rebelled)
- Sterling and trade negatively affected
- Eden resigns in 1957
26 of 30
Wind of Change (1960)
- Mau Mau rebellion was a violent nationalist uprising against British colonial rule
- Macmillan called for decolonisation and recognition of independence movements
- Independence granted to Ghana (1957), West Indies (1958), Nigeria & Cyprus (1960)
- Macmillan called for decolonisation and recognition of independence movements
- Independence granted to Ghana (1957), West Indies (1958), Nigeria & Cyprus (1960)
27 of 30
Why did Britain not join the EEC?
- Opposition from politicians and journalists
- Labour MPs saw the EEC as a 'capitalist club'
- Would damage trade links with the Commonwealth
- To maintain the 'special relationship' with the US
- Illusions about Britain as a world power
- Labour MPs saw the EEC as a 'capitalist club'
- Would damage trade links with the Commonwealth
- To maintain the 'special relationship' with the US
- Illusions about Britain as a world power
28 of 30
Why did Britain later want to join the EEC?
- Since 1953 production increased for FR (75%) and GER (90%) in contrast to Britain's 30%
- Balance of payments of £270mil
- Kennedy encouraged Macmillan; saw Britain as a crucial Cold War link between the US and Europe
- Britain's declining world status
- Balance of payments of £270mil
- Kennedy encouraged Macmillan; saw Britain as a crucial Cold War link between the US and Europe
- Britain's declining world status
29 of 30
Britain's position in the world (1964)
- Special relationship had been restrained by Suez
- Involvement in Test Ban Treaty of 1963, limiting the testing of nuclear weapons
- Britain abandoned its own nuclear deterrent (Blue Streak)
- Dependent on American Polaris submarine weapons
- Involvement in Test Ban Treaty of 1963, limiting the testing of nuclear weapons
- Britain abandoned its own nuclear deterrent (Blue Streak)
- Dependent on American Polaris submarine weapons
30 of 30
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Age of Affluence
Back
- Weekly wages nearly doubled (£8.30 in 1951 to £15.35 in 1961)
- 1950 to 63 British exports increased by 25%
- Food rationing ended in 1954
- Butler's £134million tax cut giveaway
- Unemployment was less than 1% in 1955
- 1950 to 63 British exports increased by 25%
- Food rationing ended in 1954
- Butler's £134million tax cut giveaway
- Unemployment was less than 1% in 1955
Card 3
Front
What were the effects of consumerism?
Back
Card 4
Front
Accuracy of Never Had it So Good:
- Presided over a period of affluence and rampant consumerism
- Immigrants had full rights of British citizenship
- Higher income per head more than any other country except the US
- Unemployment was a mere 2%
- Presided over a period of affluence and rampant consumerism
- Immigrants had full rights of British citizenship
- Higher income per head more than any other country except the US
- Unemployment was a mere 2%
Back
Card 5
Front
Conservative Government under Macmillan (1957-63)
Back
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