British Politics 1951-64

• What was the time period referred to as the Affluent Society in Britain?


  1951-1964
• What were the main political parties involved in the 1950 and 1951 General Elections in Britain?


  Labour and Conservative parties
• Who was the Prime Minister of Britain from 1951 to 1955?


  Winston Churchill
• What was the outcome of the Labour Party in the 1951 General Election?


  Labour lost the election
• What was the political context during the Conservative dominance from 1951 to 1964?


  Internal Labour divisions and effective Conservative leadership
• What economic issues did Britain face during the Affluent Society period?


  Post-war boom, balance of payments issues, and 'stop-go' policies
• What social changes occurred in Britain during the Affluent Society period?


  Rising living standards, consumerism, and changing social attitudes
• What was the significance of the 'teenager' and youth culture during this period?


  It marked the emergence of a distinct social group with unique cultural influences
• What foreign relations initiatives did Britain pursue during the Affluent Society period?

  EFTA, attempts to join the EEC, and relations with the USA and USSR
• What was the 'Winds of Change' in the context of Britain's foreign relations?


  It referred to the decolonization process and changing attitudes towards former colonies
• What are the key terms associated with the political structure in Britain during the Affluent Society period?

  • Backbencher: MPs not in government or opposition front benches
  • By-election: Election to fill a vacancy between general elections
  • Chief Whip: Party official responsible for party discipline
  • First Past the Post: Electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins
  • Proportional Representation: Electoral system where seats are allocated based on votes received
  • Speaker: Person presiding over debates in the House of Commons
  • Chancellor of the Exchequer: Individual managing government finances
  • Bill: Proposed law debated before becoming legislation
  • General Election: Election to choose MPs for each constituency
• How many general elections did the Conservative Party win between 1951 and 1964?


  Three general elections
• What was one reason for the Conservative Party's appeal to the electorate during this period?


  The appeal of Conservative leaders like Churchill, Eden, and Macmillan
• What was Winston Churchill's reputation based on during his leadership from 1951 to 1955?


  His leadership during the Second World War
• What was Anthony Eden known for during his time as Prime Minister?


  His expertise in foreign policy
• What was Harold Macmillan's famous statement regarding the British people's living standards?


  "Never had it so good"
• What was the impact of the Suez Crisis on Anthony Eden's political career?


  It led to his early resignation due to ill health
• What was the significance of the term 'consensus' in British politics during 1951-1964?


  It referred to the agreement between Labour and Conservative parties on key policies
• What were the post-war realities that contributed to political consensus?

  The shared experiences of the Hungry 30s and WWII
• What was the role of economic pragmatism in the consensus politics of the time?


  It recognized the benefits of a mixed economy and welfare state
• How did the character Mr. Butskell represent the convergence of economic policies?


  It highlighted the similarities between Conservative and Labour economic views
• What was the Conservative approach to nationalisation during 1951-1964?


  They largely upheld Labour's nationalisation policies but initiated some privatisation
• What were the criticisms of the Conservative's privatisation initiatives?


  They led to job losses and reduced government oversight
• What was the significance of Keynesian economics in the political consensus?


  It involved using government intervention to manage economic demand
• What was the Labour government's approach to the economy from 1945-51?


  It was characterized by austerity measures due to economic challenges
• What was the impact of the post-war economic boom on the Labour Party?


  It led to disarray and internal battles within the party
• How did Macmillan's leadership affect the Conservative Party's image?


  It restored party unity and maintained apparent economic prosperity
• What was the significance of the media during Macmillan's leadership?


  He effectively used television to enhance his public image
• What was the role of trade unions in the consensus politics of the time?


  They were recognized for their importance in maintaining good industrial relations
• What was the legislative framework's purpose regarding trade unions?


  To balance power between employers and employees
• How did both parties view industrial disputes during this period?


  They sought to avoid strikes through dialogue and negotiation
• What was the significance of the mixed economy during the Conservative rule?


  It combined both public and private sectors for economic stability
• What was the Conservative Party's stance on the welfare state during this period?


  They believed in maintaining social welfare programs
• What was the impact of the post-war consensus on British politics?


  It led to a period of broad agreement on key policies between Labour and Conservative parties
• What was the significance of the British Steel Act of 1953?


  It marked the beginning of the Conservative's privatisation initiatives
• How did the Conservatives view market mechanisms compared to Labour's approach?


  They preferred market mechanisms over extensive state ownership
• What was the role of the Bank of England in the nationalisation policies?


  It was nationalised in 1946 as part of Labour's policies
• What was the impact of the Conservative policies on the railways during 1951-1964?


  They maintained nationalised control over the railways
• What was the significance of the Transport Act of 1953?


  It initiated the privatisation of road haulage
• How did the Conservatives approach the issue of unemployment during their rule?


  They accepted that public spending was necessary to maintain full employment