A Changing Political and Economic Environment (1918–1990)

Flashcards covering British political, economic, and social developments from 1918 to 1990.

Who served as Prime Minister of Britain from 1908 to 1916?

HH Asquith

What key event in 1922 led Conservatives to end their coalition with David Lloyd George?

The 'Chanak incident'

What was the 'Geddes Axe' of 1922?

A series of spending cuts recommended by Sir Eric Geddes, cutting £24 million in spending on education, pensions, unemployment benefit, housing, and health.

Who was Britain's first Labour Prime Minister?

Ramsey Macdonald (1924)

In what year did Britain return to the Gold Standard under Stanley Baldwin's government?

1925

In what year was the Gold Standard abandoned by the National Government under Ramsey Macdonald?

1931

What legislation passed in 1914 gave the British government extended powers such as economic controls, conscription, and rationing?

Defence of the Realm Act (DORA)

What debate in 1918 crystallized the split within the Liberal Party between David Lloyd George and Herbert Asquith?

The Maurice Debate

By how many voters did the Representation of the People Act of 1918 extend the British electorate?

13 million people

What was the 'Coupon' in the 1918 General Election?

A letter issued to candidates standing on behalf of the Lloyd George and Conservative coalition confirming official endorsement.

How much did a knighthood cost during David Lloyd George's 'Cash for honours' scandal in 1922?

£10 000

What was 'The Yellow Book' published by the Liberal Party in the late 1920s?

A publication presenting policies to solve unemployment and encourage industrial investment.

What was plural voting in the British electoral system prior to 1948?

A system allowing individuals who owned property in multiple constituencies or held university degrees to vote more than once.

What cut proposed in the 1931 budget split the Labour government and led to its resignation?

A 10% cut in unemployment benefit.

Who founded the British Union of Fascists (BUF) in 1932?

Oswald Mosley

What clash occurred in October 1936 when the British Union of Fascists marched through East London?

The 'Battle of Cable Street'

What report published in December 1942 proposed a central welfare state in Britain caring for citizens 'from the cradle to the grave'?

The Beveridge Report

What were the 'five giants' outlined in the Beveridge Report?

Want, Disease, Ignorance, Squalor, and Idleness.

What system of secondary education was introduced by the Education Act of 1944 (Butler Act)?

The tripartite system, dividing pupils into grammar, modern, and technical schools based on the 11-plus exam.

What act passed in 1945 provided direct weekly payments to mothers for every child after the first?

Family Allowances Act

Who was the Minister for Health responsible for establishing the National Health Service in 1948?

Aneurin Bevan

What document published by Conservatives in 1947 accepted consensus views like a mixed economy and protection of labour rights?

The Conservative 1947 Industrial Charter

What foreign policy crisis in 1956 forced Anthony Eden to resign as Prime Minister?

The Suez Crisis

What nickname was given to Harold Macmillan's 1962 cabinet reshuffle in which he sacked seven cabinet members?

The 'night of the long knives'

What term was coined by The Economist to describe the consensual economic policies of Conservative Chancellor R.A. Butler and Labour leader Hugh Gaitskell?

Butskellism

What scandal in 1963 involving Secretary of State for War John Profumo severely damaged the Conservative government's reputation?

The 'Profumo Affair'

What phrase did Harold Wilson use to describe the technological transformation of Britain's economy?

The 'white heat' of technology

To what exchange rate was the British pound devalued by Harold Wilson's government in 1967?

From $2.80 to $2.40

What white paper proposed by Barbara Castle in 1969 sought to regulate trade union strike action but was withdrawn due to union opposition?

'In Place of Strife'

What policy stance outlined by Edward Heath prior to the 1970 election advocated reduced state intervention, market-set wages, and restrictions on trade union power?

Selsdon Man

What measure was implemented by Edward Heath in 1974 to conserve energy during the miners' strike?

The three day work week

How much was the IMF loan negotiated by Jim Callaghan's Labour government in 1976?

£3.9 billion (or £4 billion)

What period of extensive public sector strikes took place in the winter of 1978–1979?

The 'Winter of Discontent'

What were the 'Bevin Boys' conscripted to do between 1943 and 1948?

Work in coal mines

What term describes an economy experiencing simultaneously high inflation, low economic growth, and rising unemployment?

Stagflation

What were NEDDY and NICKY established under Harold Macmillan's corporatism policy?

NEDDY was the National Economic Development Council and Office; NICKY was the National Incomes Commission.

What 1927 act made sympathetic strikes illegal following the General Strike of 1926?

The Trade Disputes Act 1927

What was the 'out-of-work donation' introduced between 1918 and 1920?

A non-contributory dole payment issued from taxation/borrowing to support returning troops and unemployed civilians.

What test was applied from March 1921 to restrict unemployment benefits under the National Insurance Scheme?

The seeking work test

What board was created under the Unemployment Act 1934 to administer national means-tested assistance to long-term unemployed workers?

Unemployment Assistance Board (UAB)

What emergency healthcare system established in 1939 pooled medical resources during WWII and served as a blueprint for the NHS?

The Emergency Medical Service (EMS)

What document issued by Anthony Crosland in 1965 requested local education authorities to convert to comprehensive schools?

The Crosland Circular

What report published in 1963 called for a major expansion of university places and universal national grants for university students?

The Robbins Report

Who delivered the controversial 'Rivers of Blood' speech in 1968 regarding Commonwealth immigration?

Enoch Powell

What act legalised abortion in Great Britain up to 28 weeks when passed in 1967?

The Abortion Act 1967

What major race riots occurred in West London during August and September 1958?

The Notting Hill Race Riots

What economic policy aimed at controlling inflation by restricting the money supply was adopted in Margaret Thatcher's first term?

Monetarism

What state-owned enterprise privatization campaign in 1986 featured the famous slogan 'If you see Sid, tell him'?

British Gas

What 1980 legislation allowed council house tenants to purchase their homes at discounted prices?

The 'Right to Buy' scheme (Housing Act 1980)

What local tax introduced in Scotland in 1989 and England/Wales in 1990 sparked widespread protests and contributed to Margaret Thatcher's resignation?

The Community Charge (commonly known as the 'Poll Tax')

Who was the leader of the National Union of Mineworkers during the 1984–1985 miners' strike?

Arthur Scargill

What term did Margaret Thatcher use to describe the striking miners during the 1984–1985 NUM strike?

The 'enemy within'