Twentieth Century

Cards (9)

  • Provide examples of the emergence orthe welfare state in early 20th century Britain.
    Liberal party won the election of 1906 -> 2 left wing parties (liberal and Labour)
    -interested in working class representation and social reform
    Stages of the Rise of the weltare state:
    1907: Introduction of free school meals
    1908: Introduction of pension schemes 
    1911: national insurance bill (against unemployment or sickness)
    • Turn away trom the Victorian belief in "individual responsibility"
  • Describe the impact of the First World War
    • First World War: 1914-1918 (called „The Great War“)
    • High number of casualties (many death and wounded)
    • widespread distrust in military campaign
    1918: Women gained the rights to vote
    • New territories in Middle East & Persian Gulf (25% of world)
    1926: Imperial Conference —> established Commonwealth (own government and equal status) only for white colonies
  • What was Britain‘s policy during the Second World War?
    Prime Minister Chamberlains „appeasement policy“ —> focusing on non-violent negotiation in order to prevent conflict
    „Peace of Our Time“ —> famous quote after signing a peaceful agreement with Hitler
    September 1939: Hitler’s Invasion of PolandBritain declared war (3rd of September)
    1940 Churchill took over: harshly criticizing Chamberlain‘s policy for ‚surrendering‘ to the Nazis
  • What was Britain‘s policy during the Second World War?
    War was omnipresent
    Britain soon “only opponent left” who could defend and save Europe (British propaganda) --> therefore GB poured all their financial resources and
    manpower into the war (substantial financial support by Canada and the commonwealth dominions)
    Long-term effect: imperial status of Britain = weakened, not strong enough to defend
    colonies (e.g. lost Singapore in 1942 to Japan)
  • Describe the domestic policy of Great Britain after the end of the Second World War.
    Winner of the war but massive dept > rationing of food, clothes, petrol, etc.
    Welfare state: Social Security funded by central taxation, maternity benefits, child allowance, old age pensions, ...
    Nationalisation of major industries (coal, railway. ...)
    1948: Introduction of NHS - free medical provision for all
    1944: Butler Education Act > free secondary school system for all
  • Explain how the status of Great Britain as a 'world power' changed after 1945
    Status as one of the "great three" questioned
    1945 Challenges:
    • End of intimate relationship with the White Dominions
    • End of power in India
    • Dependence on the US for help
    • Power of Soviet Union
    1947: Annus horribilis (year of bad luck and misery: Indian independence, economic crisis)
  • 1956: Suez Crisis 
    Britain, France, and Israel secretly invading the Suez Canal 
    World opinion turned against GB —> harsh realisation that they were no longer in 
    charge of world politics on their own 
    • Decolonisation Movement  
    • Decline of Power 
    • Legacy of the British Empire 
    British Empire was only a tiny part in global history 
    • New prestige in the Colonies because of peaceful giving of Independence 
  • What remains?
    • Territorial damage (slavery, wars, …)
    • Industrialisation
    • Lingua Franca
  • What is meant by ‘Devolution’ and how did (does) it affect the United Kingdom?
    Definition: transferral of power from a centralised source to local regions (decentralisation
    —> granting more autonomy to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland  
    • 1997: Scottish Referendum 
    • 1998: Good Friday Agreement between Irish and British governments to have a devolved 
    system of government for Northern Ireland