unit one

What was the Liberal Party like before 1918?

They had previously dominated UK politics

What happened to the Liberals support following 1918?

They lost support of their traditional voters: middle-class and artisan working-class.

Who undermined the Liberal Party?

The rise of the Labour Party.

What is one major thing that caused divide between the Liberal Party?

Conscription (1916) - Had never been introduced before

Defence of The realm act - gave economic control and introdduced conscription

seen as deeply illiberal

What was the immediate cause of the Liberals decline?

David Lloyd George split the party.

What scandal tainted the Liberals?

The Cash For Honours Scandal (June 1922): Sold 1

What other aspects fed into the Liberals decline?

1. Tories were more popular in the Coalition.

2. Opposition from Herbert Asquith.

3. Long-term impact from the Labour Party.

What had the Labour Party evolved from?

The Trade Union Congress

What act massively helped the Labour Party?

The Representation of the People Act (1918) - increased their voter base as all men had the right to vote.

What happened in 1924?

Labour formed a minority government under Ramsay MacDonald.

How long did the first Labour government last?

9 months.

What rumour tainted the Labour Party?

Conservative newspapers suggesting the party had linked to Soviet Russia.

Who did Ramsay MacDonald have strained relations with?

The National Executive Committee of the Labour Party.

What did having a lack of support mean for the Labour Party?

They couldn't pass anything which caused radical change.

What was the only act of substance passed by the first Labour government?

Housing Act (1924) - Homes from low-income households.

Who did the Conservative Party stand for?

The middle and upper-class

What did the Conservative Party market themselves as?

Moderate Politicians.

When did the Conservatives dominate?

1924-29.

What did the Housing Act (1930) do?

Cleared 3/4s of slum-housing and replaced it with modern housing by 1939.

What did the Labour Party amend in their second term?

Unemployment Insurance Act: created public work schemes which was backed by £25 million from the government.

What did Ramsay MacDonald refer to the economic issues of 1931 as?

An 'economic blizzard'.

What did the American banks do in 1931?

Panic-sold the pound after rumours of an unbalanced budget.

What did the government do to fix the panic-selling of the pound in 1931?

Increasing taxes and decreased government spending

What did Ramsay MacDonald feel was the best thing to do following the economic issues of 1931?

Resigned due to divisions regarding their errors.