Major

    Cards (26)

    • Wanted to unite Britain under a new consensus
      Goal of the leader
    • Wanted to continue the work of Thatcher
      Goal of the leader
    • He did make several changes
    • Changes made
      • Increase in NHS spending and education
    • Maastricht treaty signed
      1992
    • Replaced the unpopular poll tax
      Change made
    • Won re-election - 22 majority

      1992
    • Wanted to "Return to basics"

      Goal of the leader
    • Number of sex and corruption scandals
    • Economic developments
    • Withdrawal of Exchange Rate Mechanism
      1. From sep 1992- Sterling sold off so reduced its value
      2. Interest rates raised and £30 billion in reserves sold off
    • Known as black Wednesday
      16 September 1992
    • Impact of ERM withdrawal
      • Viewed as a disaster for UK
      • Increased tensions with Eurosceptics
      • Withdrawal worked to Britain's advantage in the long term
      • Sterling began to rise and valued higher than when Britain were part of the ERM
    • The Troubles
      1. IRA fired mortars at Downing Street in 1990
      2. Warrington bombed in 1993- 2 killed
      3. Majors' government made a number of efforts to secure long lasting peace
      4. 1993 Downing Street Declaration- full assertion that Britain would have no selfish interest in NI
      5. IRA declares ceasefire in 1994
    • Gulf war

      1991
    • Gulf war intervention
      • Successful in liberalising Kuwait after illegal invasion by Saddam Hussein
      • 45,000 troops sent
      • Saddam Hussein remained in power
    • Dayton peace agreement
      1995
    • Conflict in Bosnia
      • Yugoslavia collapsed and involved in a number of wars called Yugoslav wars
      • Lots of war crimes, ethnic cleansing and genocide
      • British and other forces involved in 1995
    • Maastricht treaty
      1992
    • Maastricht treaty
      • Brought political and economic integration
      • Establishment of European Central Bank
    • July 1993

      Eurosceptics vote against government plan to participate in treaty
    • In 1995
      Major calls a leadership election following the issue
    • Major wins the election comfortably
    • However, 89 voted rival, Eurosceptic John Redwood
    • Cold War ended
      1989
    • Little intervention by Britain
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