Flashcards on Class, Social Values, Women, Migration in Post-War Britain (1945-1951)

Flashcards covering key aspects of class, social values, the role of women, and migration in Britain after World War II, based on lecture notes from January 2024.

What were some characteristics of the class system that remained in the post-war period?

Government/power still very upper class, a three-class system remained, traditional attitudes to the working class persisted, rising economic security caused working-class communities to turn inwards.

What factors contributed to the weakening of the class system?

Working class became more well-off, involved in left-wing politics, experienced more social/geographical mobility, had more job opportunities, and a non-traditionalist sentiment emerged.

How did social upheaval and working-class identity shape post-war Britain?

War acted as a great leveler, creating a sense of unity, and working-class identity provided a sense of self-worth, bolstered by their contribution to the war effort, leading to increased leisure time and community building.

How did the middle and working classes respond to the changing social landscape?

Middle class reasserted their position by sending children to private schools, while the working class aspired to middle-class status through culture and education. Short term the attitudes about social class were traditional with fuzzy edges but the working class sign post future change

How did the First and Second World Wars affect the working class?

The working class made gains including those that were unskilled with increased employment opportunities and trade union membership. With the full employment WWII brought.

How did war impact the upper class, franchise, and social cohesion?

Peers died in the First World War, the extension of the franchise enhanced working-class status, and war created cohesiveness across class boundaries.

What were some factors against the idea that war primarily drove changes in the class structure?

Increased employment in sectors like commerce and finance benefited the middle class, the economic slump significantly impacted working-class life, and the upper class saw flux with commercial activity and land acquisition by the middle class.

What were some differences between the effects of World War I and World War II on social classes?

The upper class lost people, money, and estates but not attitude, rationing improved working-class health, and access to health/education and employment increased for the working class.

What factors dictated the position that women were given after World War II?

Women were given more positions in work given the need of the time. New technology also made household chores easier.

To what extent women incorporated in Labour’s ‘New Jerusalem’?

They were not fully considered in the new reforms, rather men were given insurance benefits. But the NHS covered women and children, which was very beneficial.

What assumptions were built into the Welfare State?

The assumption that men would provide for women and women would stay home for children

Why did Labour have lower female votes than male?

Lots of married women would vote in line with their husbands who were Upper Class, hence they voted conservative. The welfare benefits were more geared towards men

What were Pearce’s interpretations of societal and workplace norms of women in the post-war period?

Stereotypes of housewife and breadwinner returned, that women's work was seen as addition to a male salary, commercials for housewives returned, the economy switched from heavy to light work (and women being seen as more adept than men at repetitive tasks in factories and can be payed less), education taught domestic and housewife duties

Explain Smith-Wilson's Interpretation on how the war affected the status of women in the work force?

Before 1939 women and children had little health insurance, the NHS had female workers and benefit, there were child allowances payable to mother, free food, that the welfare state also gave child allowances (payable to the mother), free milk, vitamins and immunizations

What do Smith-Wilson and Pearce both agree upon in terms of how WWII change the status of women?

Traditional gender roles, of the male breadwinner and the female domestic housewife. Gender stereotypes were a disadvantage. In the 50’s employers wouldn’t even consider qualified women etc.

Why were nationhood, race + ethnicity, colour(ism), identity, empire, history, culture, gender, colonialism, freedom, war and legacy so important to our exploration of Postwar Britain?

Nationhood, race + ethnicity, colour(ism), identity, empire, history, culture, gender, colonialism, freedom, war, legacy Because immigrant culture incorporated into our national culture + Nation redefining itself due to culture adapting

Summarize impact of WWII + new Commonwealth immigration 1948–58:

WWII + 1948–58 saw change in patterns of migration. British policy makers looked to Empire to provide resources/manpower during war, whilst successive govts rejected migration as a solution to problems of reconstruction after the war

Impact of mass migration on British Culture?

Mass migration fundamentally changed British culture. Impact of immigration tended to reflect prejudices of white majority. Britishness was still associated exclusively with whiteness.

What happened during the war effort due to WWII?

British policy makers looked to Empire to provide resources/manpower.

Outline how ongoing racism were found when the war was happening:

The war exposed ongoing racism. Still official prejudice early in war. The US Army racially segregated

New opportunities that opened up to black people in Britain?

There was a labour shortage. Govt policy made it easy for imperial subjects to gain entry to Britain. British Nationality Act (1948) created new legal rights for all people in British colonies to enter UK

What marks the beginning of mass migration?

It's when SS Empire Windrush June 1948 brought 492 Jamaican people to Britain.

What is the main difference between Commonwealth countries and imperial colonies?

Commonwealth countries were regarded as ‘free and equal’ unlike colonies

What is the primary difference between ‘old Commonwealth’ and ‘new Commonwealth’ countries?

Phrase introduced distinction between two types of Commonwealth country: ‘old Commonwealth’ (predominantly white population) and ‘new Commonwealth’ (predominantly black/Asian population).

What was the Opportunity for immigrants found in entertainment business?

New immigrants found opportunities to make money, opening Nightclubs/restaurants

Which industries did immigrants start seeking job positions in?

Post Offices, railways, NHS recruited 3,000 nurses from Caribbean 1948-1954.

How did the government react to the immigration?

Pressuring govts in Caribbean, Africa, Asia to restrict availability of passports. Considering policies such as limits on ‘coloured’ immigration/repatriation. All these were rejected for fear of damaging Britain’s international reputation.

What enforced colour bar in 50's?

Unions, employers, govt worked together to enforce ‘colour bar’.

What was the effect of white violence in the post-war period?

White violence also accompanied mass immigration. White people were angered by loss of Britain’s colonies

describe what happened in Notting Hill riots, 1958

Mobs of white men beat black residents of Notting Hill, as well as attacking their homes/businesses. and the police did little to stop attacks as well.