Britain Transformed-1918-97

Why was a national government formed in 1931?

Why was a national government formed in 1931?

The Great Depression created severe economic and political problems.

What did MacDonalds’s spending cuts include?

Cuts to unemployment benefits and military pay.

What happened after the Wall Street Crash of 1929?

Britain suffered unemployment, falling trade and economic difficulties.

What was the Invergordon Mutiny?

About 12,000 sailors protested against proposed pay cuts in 1931

Why was MacDonald ready to resign in 1931?

He had lost Labours Support and was effectively abandoned by his party.

What major change helped Britain’s economy recover?

Britain left the Gold Standard, allowing interest rates of fall.

Who persuaded MacDonald to remain PM in 1931?

King George V persuaded him to stay and form a national government.

By 1933, what helped stimulate economic recovery?

Leaving the Gold Standard and low interest rates encouraged recovery.

What was the intended purpose of the 1931 national government?

To create political stability and deal with the economic crisis.

What happed to MacDonald in 1935?

He resigned due to ill health.

Why did conservatives support the national government?

They expected MacDonald to take the blame for unpopular polices.

Who was the PM from 1935-1937?

Stanley Baldwin(Conservative)

Why did the public support the national government?

People hoped it would create a sense of national unity.

Why did Baldwin step down in 1937?

Old age and ill health, alongside criticism of his leadership.

How long was the national government originally supposed to last?

It was intended to be a temporary solution to the economic crisis.

Why was a national government formed?

Great Depression Caused economic problems

MacDonald needed support from other parties

The king encouraged him to form a national government.

What the main aim of the national government?

National Unity and Political stability.

Collectivism

Working together for a common purpose/ for the better

Nationalisation

Government takes control of private industries

Austerity

Cutting government spending

Welfare state

Government supports citizens health and wellbeing.

Ramsey MacDonald (1931- 35)

First Labour PM in 1924

Re-elected in 1929

Faced the Great Depression after the Wall Street Crash

Introduced spending cuts in 1931

Cuts to benefits and pay caused public anger

Britain left the Gold Standard, helping exports

Resigned in 1935, due to ill health

Stanley Baldwin(1935-37)

Conservative Prime minister

Handled the abdication crisis calmly

Edward VIII abdicated in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson

Quietly increased rearmament while publicly supporting peace

Later criticised for appeasing Hitler and rearming too slowly.

Neville Chamberlain (1937-40)

Popular for improving housing and living standards

Seen as calm and Trustworthy

Followed appeasement to avoid war with Hitler

Criticised for appearing weak and indecisive

Resigned in 1940 after losing political support

Winston Churchill (1640-45)

Gained support from labour and liberal MPs

Led Britain during WWII

Created a cross party war cabinet for quicker decisions

Emergency powers Act 1940 increases government powers

Introduced rationing and controlled industries

Directed the country to Total War

Lost election in 1945 despite winning the War

Impact of WWII

Bombing destroyed many homes

Around 3 million children were evacuated

Rationing increased government control

People expected more government support

Wartime injuries highlighted highlighted the need for better healthcare

Why did extremism fail in the 1930s?

The national government remained established

Oswald Mosley formed the British Union of Fascists in 1932.

The BUF gained members but little widespread support

Mosley was imprisoned during WWII

The far left also struggled to gain support.

Why did Labour win the 1945 election?

Labour proved itself competent during WWII

Attlee served as deputy prime minister

People wanted Post War change after years of sacrifice

Labour promised welfare reforms based on the Beveridge Report.

It’s manifesto was called “Let us face the future”

Beveridge Report 1942

The 5 Giants of Evil and how to deal with them (solutions)

Want- Poverty

Disease,

Ignorance- Lack of Education

Idleness- Unemployment

Squalor - Lack of housing

Why did the Conservatives lose in 1945?

Voters remembered earlier failures to improve living standards

Churchill assumed he would win and campaigned less effectively

His attacks on Labour damaged his credibility

Labour offered a clearer vision for post war Britain

Appeasement

Giving in to some of Hitler’s demands to avoid war

Rearmament

Increasing military weapons and resources

Total War

Using the whole country’s resources to win a war

Sending thousands into poverty

Consensus Politics

Parties broadly agreeing on major policies.