Towards a new consensus 1987-1997 (John Major)

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When did John Major become PM?
1990
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What contributed to Thatcher's downfall?
Wetlands Affair 1986, Poll tax, Resignation of Nigel Lawson and Resignation of Sir Geoffrey Howe.
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How did Thatcher respond to the question ''what did you change''?
She responded with ''everything''.
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What did Major do differently to Thatcher?
Spent more money on healthcare and education, Britain signed the 1992 Maastricht Treaty creating closer ties with Europe, the poll tax was abandoned, Citizens Charter.
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When was the Citizens Charter introduced and what did it entail?
1992 - guarantees about public service and rights and responsibilities of citizens.
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What greatly affected Tory reputation?
Tory ''sleaze'' - a series of scandals involving illicit sex and/or corruption.
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What was John Major's first campaign called?
''Back to basics''.
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Why was ''back to basics abandoned''?
The campaign was hollow especially due to Tory sleaze.
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When was the Downing Street Declaration?
1993
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What did the Downing Street Declaration entail?
Asserted that Britain had no selfish interest in Northern Ireland. The Northern Irish people could determine their own future.
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What happened in 1990-1992? (economy)
There was a recession.
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How many were unemployed c.1991?
2 million
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What was the level of inflation in 1991?
4%
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When did ''Black Wednesday'' occur?
16th September 1992
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What was ''Black Wednesday"?
The pound crashed out of the ERM because investors devalued the rate of sterling.
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What was the ERM?
- Exchange Rate Mechanism - Britain was pegged to the strongest currency - Deutschmark. £ = DM 2.95
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What was done to try and prevent BW?
Chancellor Norman Lamont raised interest rates to 15% and sold off £30bn of Britain's foreign reserves.
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What were the CONS of BW?
- Britain lost £30bn, Tories weren't trusted with the economy, Euroscepticism increased party divisions.
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What were the PROS of BW?
- The £ was no longer tied to an artificial constraint, 1996 - the £ was worth DM 3, Britain's growth outperformed its European counterparts.
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What was wrong with the Tory party c.1997?
Having continuously governed since 1979, the party was tired and in need of rebuilding, sleaze, party splits (EU), Black Wednesday.
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Why were Labour now so successful?
Neil Pinnock began reforming the party after 1983 e.g removing unilateral nuclear disarmament. Tony Blair succeeded John Smith and made greater developments to the party.
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When did Tony Blair become leader of Labour?
1994
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What did Tony Blair change about the Labour Party?
Clause 4 (nationalisation) was abandoned, legal restrictions of Unions had to be maintained, old ideas such as ''class struggles'' were felt to be irrelevant.
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What did Bernie Grant (Labour MP) suggest in 1995?
That there was little future for many Britons because of racism in the UK.
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Who was killed in 1993 as a part of a racist attack?
Stephen Lawrence.
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What did Labour set up in 1997?
The McPherson Inquiry into police investigation.
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When was James Bulger murdered?
1993
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When was Philip Lawrence murdered?
1995
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What was an 'acid house rave'?
A rave in a house playing loud music with young people often high on drugs (ecstasy).
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What was the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Law Act?
Banned trespassing and as a result - 'acid house raves'
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What did the 1990 Entertainment (Increased Penalties) Act do?
Broke up a rave in Leeds where nearly 800 people were arrested.
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What was a feminist development that occurred in 1994?
The legalisation of female priests.
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How many votes did John Major win in 1992?
14 million
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What was Major's majority in '92?
21
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Why did the Conservatives win in 1992?
Soap box style campaign, the Sun switched to support the Tories, exploited Labour failures (''tax bombshell''), simple campaign, Labour's campaign was poorly constructed.
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What happened in 1995 due to Tory splits?
Leadership election
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What does ''social liberalism'' refer to?
A political and social system that attempts a balance between individual liberties and the duties of a citizen.
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What percentage of people believed homosexuality was wrong in 1990?
69%
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What percentage of people believed homosexuality was wrong in 2000?
35%
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What happened in 1992 to two royals?
Prince Charles and Princess Diana separated
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How was John Major portrayed in the media?
He was portrayed as dour and colourless.
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What did people think of social behaviour in the 90's?
There was a laddish culture of poor social behaviour and drunkeness among celebrities who should've been better role models.
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When was the Newbury bypass completed?
1998
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What did the mid-1990s see in relation to the Newbury bypass?
Many protests against it from local people. They lived in trees and chained themselves to objects.
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When was the National Lottery introduced?
1994
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When was the First Gulf War?
1991
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How many British troops went to save Kuwait in the Gulf War?
45,000
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What happened in Yugoslavia in the 1990s?
Civil War between the Bosnian's and the Serbs.
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When was the Dayton Peace Agreement signed?
December 1995
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When was the Maastricht Treaty?
1992
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When did the EEC become the EU?
1993
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What did the Maastricht Treaty entail?
Greater union between EU members, a common foreign and defence policy and the creation of a European Central Bank.
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What did Major opt-out of?
The Social Chapter
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What did the Social Chapter entail?
Protected the rights of workers, promised better living conditions and a comfortable wage.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What contributed to Thatcher's downfall?

Back

Wetlands Affair 1986, Poll tax, Resignation of Nigel Lawson and Resignation of Sir Geoffrey Howe.

Card 3

Front

How did Thatcher respond to the question ''what did you change''?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What did Major do differently to Thatcher?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

When was the Citizens Charter introduced and what did it entail?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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