History Britain Dates

Important events and dates

Harold Wilson PM time 1st term

1964 - 70

Edward Heath PM time

1970 - 74

Harold Wilson PM time 2nd term

1974 - 76

James Callaghan PM time

1976 - 79

Margaret Thatcher PM time

1979 - 90

Thatcher

Conservative

Heath

Conservative

Wilson

Labour

Callaghan

Labour

What did the conservative party believe in?

Sought to keep the “status quo”, no radical change

What did the Labour party believe in?

Socialist, public ownership of key industries, better workers rights, government intervention

What was the beveridge report?

Report detailing 5 key areas to establish a state of welfare for the post war economy. National insurance, Healthcare, Education, Slum clearance, Full employment.

What is Keynesianism?

When the economy is weak, the government should step in and spend more to boost demand and jobs.

WHEN: Devaluation of the pound

1967

What was “In Place of Strife”

A set of legal restrictions to try and prevent union strikes. Union members had to be balloted, majority had to agree on industrial action before a strike was recognised as legal.

WHEN: The White Paper (In Place of Strife)

1969

WHEN: Race relations act

1965 & 68

WHEN: Abortion act

1967

WHEN: Sexual offences act (legalised homosexuality)

1967

WHEN: Immigration act

1968

WHEN: Abolition of death penalty

1969

Reforms were largerly the work of who?

Roy Jenkins

How many working days were lost due to union strikes under Wilson 1st term?

Over 20 Million

What percentage of strikes were unofficial under Wilson 1964-70

95%

WHEN: The withdrawal from the East of Suez?

1968

WHEN: Industrial relations act

1971

When Heath first entered office, what percentage of wage increase were miners asking for?

40%

What did the industrial relations act lead to and when?

Miners strikes of 1972

WHEN: Heaths U-Turn

1972

Inflation had risen to what by the end of 1971?

15%

WHEN: Three Day Week, how long was it, when did it end

1974, lasted just over 2 months, ended in march

WHEN: The 3 Day Week announced

December 1973

WHEN: OPEC oil crisis

1973

WHEN: EEC referendum

1975

What caused the 3 Day Week?

Miners implemented an overtime ban, and meeting demand required overtime work, so power stations were not getting enough coal to meet demand leading to a decrease in electricity production. As well as the price per oil barrel increase x4, the country could not afford enough to meet demand. Therefore requiring the implementation of the three day week to preserve the strained resources.

What was the price change in oil?

3 to 12 pounds

WHEN: Charles de Gaulle retirement?

1969

Why did de Gaulle’s retirement affect Britains entry into the EEC?

Because he previously vetoed the decision, and declined Britain entry. After his retirement, EEC invited Britain to apply again, and accepted them.

WHEN: Britain sign the Treaty of Accession?

1972

WHEN: Were they an official member of the EEC?

January 1st 1973

What was ‘Bloody Sunday’?

A non violent march for civil rights for mostly Catholic Northern Irish people who were being arrested without charges or trial. Which turned into a massacre when UK soldiers opened fire on the cfrowd and killed 14 unarmed people.

WHEN: Bloody Sunday?

1972

Between 1974-76 what did unemployment rise to?

More than doubled, to 1.44 million

What was the Lib-Lab pact?

An agreement between Callaghans labour government and the liberal party, to have them support Labour during votes, in exchange for supporting liberal reforms, and consulting them on policies.

WHEN: Was the Lib-Lab pact active?

1977 - 78

What was the majority vote for the EEC referendum?

68% voted to remain in the EEC

WHEN: IMF crisis?

1976

Who initiated negotiations with IMF for the loan?

Dennis Healey

How much was the IMF loan? (1970s)

3 billion pounds

WHEN: ‘Winter of Discontent’

1978 - 79

Why did the winter of discontent occur?

Public sector workers felt that they suffered more than the others after public spending budget was cut. So they went on strike, leaving rubbish uncollected, and bodies not buried.

How many workers went on strike, that led to Winter of discontent.

1.5 million