Context

• Define ‘Bright Young Thing’


  A young member of high society in the 1920s and 1930s who was ambitious, fashionable, and infamous for outrageous behaviour.
• Define ‘Capitalism’


  An economic system where trade and industry are owned privately, rather than by the state, where the goal is to make and increase profits.
• Define ‘Conservative Party’


  The main centre-right political party in the United Kingdom, promoting private property and business and the preservation of traditional institutions, who were in power during the Second World War but lost to the Labour Party in 1945.
• Define ‘cycle of poverty’


  Once an individual falls into poverty, it is impossible to get out of it unless there is outside intervention, because they lack the necessary means, such as money or education
• Define ‘disenfranchisement’


  Not having the right to vote.
• Define ‘generational divide’


  The perceived difference in opinions and views between people of different ages, typically as a result of different life experiences and circumstances.
• Define ‘hierarchy’


  When members of a society are ranked according to their status and wealth, with the wealthy having more power than the poor.
• Define ‘Industrial Revolution’


  The change from manual to automatic production in manufacturing due to new technologies and processes, leading to a large increase in urban populations.
• Define ‘Labour Party’


  The main centre-left political party in the United Kingdom, promoting workers’ rights and social justice, who won in a landslide victory in the 1945 election.
• Define ‘laissez-faire government’


  An economic system where the government doesn’t interfere in economic affairs, but should keep law and order, protecting an individual’s rights.
• Define ‘Liberal Party’


  The main central political party in the United Kingdom in the 19th and 20th centuries, supporting laissez-faire government and free trade, who were in power in 1912.
• Define ‘patriarchy’


  A form of government or society where power is given to and possessed by men, but kept from women.
• Define ‘social class’


  A way to divide society into groups through social status and wealth, often where those in each group are assumed to possess certain characteristics.
• Define ‘Socialism’


  An economic system where the means of production, distribution, and trade are owned and regulated by the whole community, where the goal is to ensure equal distribution of goods and a fairer society.
• Define ‘Suffragette Movement’


  The movement by women to earn the right to vote in public elections, during the late 18th century and early 19th century.
• Define ‘The Elite’


  The richest, most powerful, most successful group in society.
• Define ‘The Great Depression’


  A severe, worldwide economic downturn that lasted from 1929 to 1939, causing poverty and a large drop in standards of living.
• Define ‘Welfare State’


  A system of government where the state protects and promotes individuals’ social and economic wellbeing, following the principle that the public have a responsibility to those who cannot provide for themselves.
• Define ‘Women’s Suffrage’


  The right of women to vote, gained in 1918 for women who owned property over the age of 30.
• Define ‘World War I’


  The global war between the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and Britain) and the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy), from 1914-1918
• Define ‘World War II’


  The global war between the Allies (beginning with France, Poland, and the United Kingdom) and the Axis (Germany, Japan, and Italy), started by the Allies to stop the fascism and aggression promoted by Nazi Germany, from 1939 to 1945.