national government

Wall Street Crash (1929)

$30bn wiped from stock market → triggered global depression.
World trade + production collapsed, hitting UK exports hard.
Led to mass unemployment + loss of confidence in gov response.
Econ pressure made clear the need for political stability.

National Gov Formed (1931)

MacDonald stayed on as PM after pressure from King George V.
Created cross-party coalition to manage crisis = National Gov.
Seen as above party politics → public supported unity in crisis.
MacD stayed till 1935, then Baldwin took over.

Baldwin’s Term (1935–37)

Early years = weak leadership. Tried appeasing Italy + Germany, but slow to rearm = criticised later as one of “guilty men” after war broke out.
Handled 1936 Abdication Crisis well → advised Edward VIII to abdicate calmly → praised for strong leadership + putting country first.

British Union of Fascists (BUF), 1932

Set up by Mosley, wanted stronger gov action on economy.
Inspired by Mussolini = racist + anti-Semitic.
Unpopular with most Brits.
1936 Battle of Cable Street = violent BUF march in Jewish/Irish area → damaged reputation.
BUF banned in WWII, fascism never took off in UK.

Communist Party of GB (CPGB)

Some support after USSR helped defeat Nazis, seen as anti-fascist.
BUT loyalty to USSR over UK caused distrust.
Rejected by voters who preferred trade unions + Labour.
Tried “entryism” (influencing Labour from within) → later caused problems for Labour.

Overall

National Gov began as emergency solution but lasted 14 years.
Backed by public who liked unity + stability during crisis and war.
Extremes (fascism/communism) failed to gain mass support in UK.