British Political and Social History (1951-1967)

Flashcards covering key political, social, and military events in Britain from 1951 to 1967 based on class lecture notes.

Conservative Election Victory 1951

The election held on 26 October 1951 where the Conservatives won 321 seats and Labour won 295 seats, returning Churchill to power.

Operation Hurricane

The first British atomic bomb test conducted in Australia on 3 October 1952, making Britain a nuclear power.

Eisenhower Docterine

1957 Jan 5 promised military and economic aid to Middle Eastern countries against communist aggression

Operation Musketeer

The military operation launched on 29 October 1956 during the Suez Invasion by Britain, France, and Israel against Egypt.

Suez Ceasefire

The 6 November 1956 withdrawal forced by US pressure, which caused severe pressure on the pound and was a humiliating setback.

when Supermac came into power

The nickname given to Harold Macmillan, who replaced Anthony Eden as Prime Minister on 10 January 1957.

Treaty of Rome

The treaty signed on 25 March 1957 that created the EEC, of which Britain was not a founding member.

Operation Grapple

The H-Bomb test conducted on 15 May 1957 that established Britain as a thermonuclear power.

Wolfenden Report

A September 1957 report that recommended the decriminalisation of homosexual acts, later influencing the 1967 reforms.

Notting hill race riots

Racial tensions and violence occurring in August–September 1958, followed by the Notting Hill disturbances.

Gaitskell "magic money tree"

A term for Labour's 1959 proposals to increase pensions and build hospitals without raising taxes, which were viewed as unrealistic.

Wind of Change Speech

A speech delivered by Macmillan in Cape Town on 13 January 1960 that recognised the growth of African nationalism.

Rachman scandal

A 1963 July housing exploitation scandal that damaged the Conservative Party's political image.

Commonwealth Immigrants Act

Legislation passed on 14 April 1962 that introduced the first major controls on immigration.

Vassall affair

A 1962 Soviet espionage scandal involving civil servant John Vassall, who was photographed in a homosexual act.

Night of the Long Knives

A major Cabinet reshuffle on 5 July 1962 where Prime Minister Macmillan dismissed 7 ministers. 1/3 of cabinet replaced

Nassau agreement

A December 21 1962 meeting where the US offered Polaris missiles to the UK, forming the basis of the UK submarine deterrent.

Led to Polaris sales agreemet 1963 Apr 6

Skybolt

The US missile project scrapped on 21 December 1962, which threatened the UK nuclear deterrent.

Kim Philby

A member of the Cambridge Five and Soviet spy who defected to the USSR in January 1963.

Profumo affair

A security and sex scandal involving John Profumo and Christine Keeler that led to Profumo's resignation on 5 June 1963.

White Heat speech

A speech delivered by Harold Wilson on 1 October 1963 at Scarborough advocating for technological modernisation.

Argyll divorce case

A high-profile aristocratic scandal in November 1963 known for the "headless man" allegations.

last execution in uk

13 August 1964.

Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act

Legislation that suspended the death penalty for murder starting on 8 November 1965, made permanent in 1969.

Family Planning Act

An Act passed in July 1967 that expanded contraceptive services, though they were not universally free immediately.

Abortion Act 1967

Legislation sponsored by David Steel that legalised abortion under specific conditions on 25 July 1967.

Sexual Offences Act

The 27 July 1967 Act that partially decriminalised male homosexuality for adults in private.

why did Britain get involved in Suez Crisis?

1/3 ships that use canal are british, and more than 2/3 of oil supplied to western europe passes thru it

polaris sales agreement

1963 april 6 following Nassau agreement

Polaris stored where?

Holy Loch in 1961