-
Period: to
Liberal power - David Lloyd George
Paris Peace Conference, 1919.
Gave adults age 30+ the right to vote. WARTIME COALITION BETWEEN 1916-198 -
Representation of the People Act
Gave men aged 21+ and women aged 30+ the right to vote. -
Education Act (NRD)
Raised the school leaving age to 14. -
Paris Peace Conference
'Big Three' disagreed on what to do with germany, following WW1.
Big Three: David Lloyd George, Woodrow Wilsion, Clemenceau. -
Irish War of Independance (ended in 1921)
Britain were insulted by Ireland's demands.
Ireland targetted and shot British troops.
British troops stormed through Ireland.
There was also a propaganda war: both sides tried to justify their actions.
The establishment of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921 gave Northern Ireland (created in 1920) the right to opt out of Ireland. They did.
Ireland are now a different 'state' to Northern Ireland. -
Glasgow strikes
David Lloyd George called McClain the "most dangerous man in Britain."
Had communist views, inspired by the Russian Revolution.
John McClain demanded a 40hr working week (not 53hr working week), or strike in Glasgow.
Strike in Glasgow; England sent 6 tanks and many troops.
English troops occupied Glasgow.
Strikers went back to work & no revolution. -
Housing Act
The development of many new houses after WW1, which would later become council estates. -
Treaty Of Verailles
Germany had to agree to many terms, or else the Allies would invade. Some terms included: disarmament (100,000 men), demilitarise the Rhineland and return Alsace-Lorraine. -
Housing Act (NRD)
Building council houses for poorer people. -
The Sex Discrimination Removal Act
Women were allowed to work in the cout, the civil service and universities.
Married women were also allowed to vote.
However, other areas of industry and work didn't have to employ women. -
Women recieve degrees
Women are now able to get university degrees at Oxford University. Not official date. -
Unemployment
Unemplyment reaches a post war high of 2.5million. -
Cash for Honours Scandal
David Lloyd George sold thousands of honours to people who would pay (e.g. Knighthoods) for party finance.
It was nothing new, but Lloyd George went too far and sold too many. -
Period: to
Conservative - Andrew Bonar Law
Resigned due to ill health. -
First BBC TV broadcast
First TV Broadcast from London. -
Period: to
Conservative - Stanley Baldwin
Election to get tarriffs on imports; failed to win a majority. -
Period: to
Labour - Ramsay MacDonald
Ramsay MacDonald gained the backing of the Liberal Party and formed the Labour party.
Was not a majority, so couldn't enforce new legislation. -
Period: to
Conservative - Stanley Baldwin
Treaty of Locarno (Germany agreed to be peaceful)
Kellog-Briand pact (settle disputes peacefully)
Pensions Act
Allowed women over 21 to vote -
Gold Standard
Lloyd George returns Britain to the Gold Standard (use gold to trade, instead of money)
Exports became more expensive, especially coal, as a result.
Highly critised as it, ultimately, contributed to the Great Depression and the General Strike (where coal miners opposed working long hours) -
The General Strike
Trade Union Congress (TUC) called a strike to make the British Government prevent wage reduction and worsening conditions for coal miners.)
The Government was prepared; they enlisted middle class volunteers to maintain essential services.
Little violence and the TUC gave up. Had no big impact.
Ended on the 13th May. -
Trade disputes act
Made strikes a criminal offense; if you participated in a strike, you could be imprisoned for up to 2 years.
It was repealed in 1946 as many found it unfair. -
Parliamentary Reform Act
Gave the vote to all women aged 21 and over. -
Period: to
Labour - Ransay MacDonald
Economic crisis due to the Wall Street crash, 1929.
Appointed the first female minister. -
Unemployment Insurance Act
Reforms of the benefits system.
Abolished the rule that those seeking benefits must be seeking work.
Repealed in 1935. -
Period: to
Labour coalition - Ramsay MacDonald
Labour government split to resolve a budget crisis.
MacDonald resigned, but re-appointed at the head of a National Government (supported by Conservatives and Liberals). -
Means Test (Unemployment)
Household means test for unemplyment benefit; for those who have received insurance for half a year. -
Party for an Independant Scotland
Scottish Nationalist party is founded to fight for an Independant Scotland, to seperate from the UK. -
Mine Disaster
Mine disaster kills 266 people in North Wales - one of the worst mining disasters in British history. There was already a 40% unemployment rate in Wales. -
Period: to
Conservative coalition - Stanley Baldwin
Started rearmament, but critisized as he didn't rearm more when Hitler broke Germany of Versailles obligations. -
Paperbacks became widespread
Literature became more available, so more people were able to read. -
The King dies
George V dies and is succeeded by Edward VII. -
Northern men march 300 miles
Poverty and mass unemployment reached up to 70% in the North-East of England, so 200 men marched 300 miles to London.
They were delivering a petitiion for a new workplace as their was space.
There was little impact. -
George VI crowned King
Edward VII abdicated so that he could marry an American & avoid outrage in Britain. -
Period: to
Conservative coalition - Neville Chamberlain
Attempted to keep peace by appeasemnt of Germany.
Settled the Munich agreement. (Allowing Germany to take the Sudetenland, Czechslovakia, to try and avoid Germany going to war).
Severly critised when Germany invaded Poland, resulting in WW2. -
Matrimonial Causes Act
It was slightly easier to divorce:
Instant divorce if adultery was committed.
After 3 years for desertion.
5 years if severe mental illness was involved. -
First refugee children arrive in Britain
Arrived via Kindertransport: a series of rescue efforts which brought thousands of refugee Jewish children from Nazi Germany. -
Munich Agreement
The Sudetenland was given to Germany, without the Leader of Czechslovakia's permission!
Chamberlain (PM) declared that it had achieved "peace in our time" -
Conscription was introduced
Chamberlain warned Hitler that if he invaded Poland, Britain would go to war. -
Britain declares war on Germany
Germany invaded Poland on the 1st, so Britain kept to their word and daclared war on Germany. -
Rationing was introduced
Rationing meant that citizens could only get a certain amount of food per week, to save supplies due to the war. -
Period: to
Conservative - Winston Churchill
Formed alliances with US, Soviet Union.
Declared war on Italy and Japan.
Proposed ideas for the European Union.
Beverage Report (reform social welfare)
Butler Education Act.
Formed a "caretaker" government: conservatives, Liberal Nationals and non-party figures. It was defeated in the general election. -
The Blitz begins
Germany had already targetted cities in August.
The Blitz intensified as 950 German aircraft attacked London.
There were 57 consecutive nights of heavy bombing.
At the end, about 30,000 Londoners were killed, another 50,000 were injured. -
The National Service Act
Unmarried women between 20 and 30 had to join one of the auxiliary services, the Women's Voluntary Service, or the Women's Land Army.
Married women were later called up, but pregnant women were exempt. -
Beveridge Report
A report which gave a summary of principles aimed at demolishing poverty from Britain.
A system of social security that would come into effect after the war ended.
5 "Giant Evils" in society: squalor, ignorance, want, idleness and disease.
Helped establish the NHS. -
Butler's Education Act
Universal free secondary education to the age of 15.
3 types of schools: grammar, secondary modern and technical.
Where you went depended on your "11 plus" exam results. -
Victory in Europe
Adolf Hiter committed suicide on 30 April.
The official day where the entire country came to a standstill, as people celebrated the end of the war, for Europe. -
Period: to
Labour - Clement Attlee
Victory over Japan ends WW2.
Introduced nationalisation of the Bank of Englanf and utilites.
Foundation of the NHS.
Extended the national insurance scheme.
Economic austeritydue to wartime food and fuel rationing.
India became independant (was ruled by England)
Cold war (hostility between western countires and the Soviet union)
British involvement in the Korean war. -
Victory over Japan (End of WW2)
On the 6th, an Atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima by the Amrican Bomber: "The Enola Gay"
The Japanese Emperor agreed to surrender, marking the end of WW2. -
Nationalisation
Where sectors, which were originally private, became publically owned.
Coal: 1947
Electricity: 1947
National rail/transport: 1948 -
India becomes independant
Was regarded as Britain's most valuable "possession."
India was partitioned into India and Pakistan.
Britain was unable to resolve th violence, which ended in many deaths in India. -
Empire Windrush
The SS Empire Windrush brang nearly 500 Carribean immigrants to Britain.
Represents the beginning of mass immigration to Britain. -
National Health Service Act 1946
Planned in 1946 but came into effect in 1948.
One created for England and Wales, another for Scotland.
Publically funded. -
Olympic Games in London
Rationing was still in effect!
Japan and Germany were excluded.
The first photo finish. -
British Nationality Act
Came into effect on the 1949
Gave people from British colonies the right to live in Britain and British citizenship. -
Republic of Ireland
- Ended the British Authority in Ireland.
- Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921 meant that Britain still had some control over the Irish Free State.
-
Devaluation of the Pound
Britain's pound loses 30% of its value; could be due to the loss of empire.
Lead to payment prices for trade. -
Housing Act
Enabled local authorities to convert or improve houses, with grants.
Allowed local authorities to provide canteens and laundry facilities for housing estates, as well as sell furniture to them,
It developed various houses to suit all income types. -
Festival of Britain
Opened by King George VI
Aimed to sustain a mood of post-war optimism and confidence. -
Period: to
Conservative - Sir WInston Churchill
Began at age 76. Remained in office until forced to resign, due to ill health. -
Elizabeth II is crowned Queen
Did not take political stands publically, and proved to be a very skillful advisor.
She held strong opinions.
Members of the Royal Family maintained their important charitable role. -
First UK top singles chart
Published by the New Musical Express. -
Tax cuts
Cuts in income tax and purchase tax, giving more money to citizens. -
Denationalisation of steel
-
Period: to
Conservative - Sir Anthony Eden
Invansion of Egypt to gain control of Suez Canal.
Britain were humiliated and were no longer a superpower. -
First ITV Broadcast
Gave the people of Britain another choice, when watching TV. -
Clean Air Act (Also in 1968)
Trying to created a cleaner environment, as pollution worsens.
The severe London smog of 1952 killed more than 4,000 people. -
First Nuclear Power Station
Britain's first nuclear power station, and the first in the world to supply substantial amounts of electricity. -
The Suez Crisis
Britain and France (allied with Israel) invaded Egypt, as they wanted control of the Suez Canal.
American and the Soviet Union opposed their actions, and forced the invaders to withdraw.
This humiliated Britain, and significantly contributes to Britain's decline as a world power. -
Period: to
Conservative - Harold Macmillan
Notting Hill race riots & New Commonwealth immigration.
Opening of BBC Television Centre.
Cuban Missile crisis.
Ending of National Service Act (healthy males aged 17-21 were expected to serve in the armed forces for 18 months, remain on reserves for 4 years) -
Britain's first Nuclear bomb
Britain becomes a nuclear power, with its Hydrogen bomb.
Lead to the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, 1958. -
Race riots in Notting Hill and Nottingham
Huge mobs of white people, mostly Teddy Boys, terrorised immigrants.
Caused tension between immigrants and the British police, as they believed that the police didn't take racial assaults seriously. -
Contraceptive pill available
The pill was "available to all" on the NHS, but only for married women. -
Commonwealth immigrants Act
Only those immigrants with a voucher from the government could settle in Britain.
Aimed to reduce immigration. -
France vetoes Britain's entry to the European Market
Britain wasn't allowed to join the European Common Market (which later formed the EU) because the president of France said that the British Government lacked commitment. -
Profumo scandal
British Secretary of State for War was accused of having an affair with a 19 year old.
Profumo lied about the affair to Parliament.
He resigned, admitting that he deceived the House of Commons.
This led to the downfall of the conservatives and a Labour goernment, less than a year later. -
Period: to
Conservative - Sir Alec Douglas-Home
Allowed the independance of colonies Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
Abolished the resale price maintenance (distributors have to charge the price manufacturers say) -
New universities
State-funded growth of universities.
Some students were given maintanence grants; this was to increase the number of working class students. -
Period: to
Labour - Harold Wilson
Social reforms:
- Legalisation of abortion
- Abolishment of capital punishment
- Decriminalisation of homosexuality
- Foundation of the open university
Disputes with trade unions -
Comprehensive schools
Introduced by the Labour government to try and abolish the 'class divide.' -
Death penalty abolished
Major symbolic act in the reduction of the power of the state. -
Race Relations Act
Outlawed discrimination in public areas.
Made it a civil offence, not a criminal offense.
Lead to the creation of CARD in 1966. -
England wins world cup
-
Devaluation of the pound
Was by choice of Harold Wilson, the Prime Minister.
He said that it will tackle the 'root cause' of Britain's economic problems. -
Polytechnics
Gave people the opportunity to gain degrees in subjects, other than academics (e.g. vocational subjects) -
Abortion and Homosexuality legalised
Signifies the change in society's views.
Legalised homosexuality for men over 21.
Abortion Act legalised abortion under certain conditions. -
Commonwealth Immigrants Act
Immigrants had to have at least one parent or grandparent born in the UK.
Tried to reduce immigration after the Kenyan-Asian influx. -
Barbara Castle: First female Secretary of State
-
Enoch Powell's Rivers of Blood speech
Far right-winged MP made a speech, critising the government's immigration policy.
He forbode the future, estimating that 1 in 10 people would be of immigrant decent and that there would be much racial tension and violence.
His speech led him to being sacked, but influenced many white workers to go on strikes and marches. -
Strike in Dagenham
Women sewers at the Ford factory walked out when they found out that their jobs would be classified as a "low skilled job" thus recieving 15% less pay than men.
Barbara Castle intervened and helped resolve the issue. - Women were then paid 8% less than men, and in the following year, the same as men. -
Race Relations Act
Made it illegal to refuse housing, emplyment or public services to someone on a racist origin. -
Voting age was lowered to 18
-
Equal Pay Act
Came into effect on 29th December 1975.
Women now have to be paid the same as men, by law. -
Period: to
Conservative - Edward Heath
Negotiated Britain's entry to the European Community (trade)
Three-Day week (inflation was a big problem, so commercial users of electricity were limited to 3 days of electricity each week)
Misuse of Drugs act 1971
Introduction of VAT -
Decimal currency introduced
Britain no longers used the old denominations, such as shillings.
This decimalisation came to be blamed for the increase in inflation. -
Women's liberation march
Women still faced discrimination, despite the laws.
They wanted:
Equal Pay
Eual job and education opportunities
Free contraception, and abortion on demand
Free 24hr nurseries -
Industrial Relations Act
The goal was to stabilise industrial relations. -
Top rate Income tax cut to 75%
1974: rose to 83% (top rate)
Margaret Thatcher:
1979: 60% (top rate); 30%(basic rate)
1988: 40% (top rate; 25% (basic rate) -
Miner's strike
Striking for a wage increase. -
Idi Amin expels Ugandan-Asians
Gave his population 90 days to leave.
Over 55,000 settled in Britain. -
School leaving age increased to 16
-
Pay Freeze
Wages and prices started to spiral out of control.
The freeze applied to prices charged for goods and services.
Led to many strikes and the Conservatives being voted out in 1974. -
Britain joins the EEC
Britain joins the European Economic Community (Later known as the EU). -
Matrimonal Causes act
Determined how finance and assets should be sorted after a divorce. -
Strike and 3 day week
The economy was facing inflation, so the government capped public workers' wages. However, prices were increasing...
1973 OIL CRISIS drove up the price of coal.
To reduce electricity consumption (and reserve coal) there was a "3 Day Week".
Miners went on strike, in December, as they were denied a pay increase.
In 1974, with the new Labour Government, their wages were increased by 35%, then another 35% the following year. -
Period: to
Labour - Harold WIlson
Hung parliament until October, then Labour had a small majority.
Ended disputes with miners
Health and Safety at work act
Renegotiated terms for EC membership. -
Period: to
Labour- James Callaghan
International Monetary Fund loan to support the pound
Race Relations Act 1976
Lib-Lab Pact -
Notting hill race riots
Police tried to arrest a pick-pocketer, but several black youths interfered.
The police were attacked with stones, so they charged the rioters.
The violence escalated to smashed windows and fires. -
IMF Loan
Britain is forced to borrow money from the International Monetary Fund - the first Western country to do this humiliating action.
The IMF demanded cuts in government spending. -
Race Relations Act
Made it illegal to discriminate in education, public functions and in the provision of goods and services.
Established the Commission for Racial Equality and tribunals for employees who felt as though they were being discriminated. -
Lib-Lab Pact
There was a Hung Government, so PM Callaghan approached the Liberal party for help.
Britain were currently faced with an economic crisis.
The Liberal party agreed to vote with the government for anything, as long as they got some of their ideas put forward.
They reduced inflation, despite many people saying that the government was a failure.
It ended in 1978. -
Winter of Discontent
Lorry Drivers went on strike; this put essential supplies in danger, as 80% of supplies were transported across the country this way.
More workers from the public sector, such as railway drivers, waste collectors and ambulance drivers, also went on strike.
Workers' conditions were appauling, as the winter showed blizzards and deep snow.
These strikes contributed to Margaret Thatcher's election win. -
Period: to
Conservative - Margaret Thatcher
First Female Prime Minister of the UK
Falklands War
Sold Council housing to tenants (right to buy)
Miners' strike1984-85
Privatisation of many perviously Government owned industries.
Decreased the power of trade unions (groups who protected workers' rights and interests)
Brighton hotel bombing
Eng of the Cold war
Beginning of Gulf war (response to Iraq invading Kuwait) -
"Right to Buy" scheme
It allowed tenants who had lived in their homes for at least three years to buy at a 33% dicount; after 20 years, they got a 50% discount.
However, a lot of these homes were of poor quality and as a result, rent prices increased. -
Labour splits
The Labour party splits into: Labour and the Social Democratic Party.
They believed in centrist ideology.
A notable founder: Roy Jenkins. -
Racial riots
Serious rioting in Brixton following the arrest of a local black man.
In London, Liverpool and Manchester also faced rioting, looting and fights between residents and the police.
The relationship between black communities and the police were very poor. -
Privatisation of Cable and Wireless (communications)
-
Economic recession and high unemployment
Manufacturing was hit hard by the recession.
Unemployment was just over 3 million. -
Falkland's war
Argentina invades the Falkland Islands (British territory)
Thatcher sent a val task force to free the Islands.
Conflict ended on 14 June when the Argentinian commander surrendered.
Nearly 1000 people were killed. -
12 month Miners' strike
It began when a pit in Yorkshire was threatened to be closed down.
Soon after, the National Coal Board announced that they intended to close 20 coal mines, thus resulting in the loss of 20,000 jobs.
Became the biggest strike since the 1926 general strike.
Rioting intesified when Arthur Scargill announced that the government planned to close over 70 factories. The government denied this, yet the papers, which were revealed in 2014, showed that he was telling the truth. -
IRA bombs Conservative conference
The Irish Republican Army terrorists bomb the Grand Hotel, where many conservatives were having a conference.
5 were killed, and more than 30 were injured. Margaret Thatcher narrowly escaped. -
'Big Bang'/deregulation of the stock exchange
Led to significant changes to the structure of financial markets in London.
Many old firms were taken over by large banks, both domestic and foreign.
London's place as a financial capital was strengthened. -
Major privatisation
These sales cut the government expenditure, and reduced the need for state subsidies:
- British Airways
- Rolls Royce
- British steel
- British Telecom
- Water companies -
Stock market crash
The stock market fell by 22% over two days all around the world...one of the biggest one day decreases in history.
It began in Hong Kong, but soon spread to Europe and then the USA. -
Education Reform Act
Parents could specify which school was their preferred choice.
Financial control could be taken from local authorities, and given to the head teacher and governors of a school.
'Key Stages' were introduced. At the end of each stage, educational objects were to be achieved.
The National Curriculum was introduced. -
Childrens Act 1989
A law to ensure that children are safeguarded and their welfare is promoted.
In court cases, the court should pay attention to the child's wishes and needs.
Parental responsibility was introduced; if the parents are married, both have this responsibility. If a child does not have anyone, a guardian will be appointed.
Children in need should be supplied with what they need, e.g. if they have a disability. -
'Poll tax' riots in London
The Conservatives plan for poll taxes in England and Wales (a tax for voting).
Provoked many 'anti-poll tax' rallies.
A peaceful march of 70,000 people in London deteriorated into serious rioting.
The unpopularity of this tax contributed to the downfall of Thatcher. -
Period: to
Conservative - John Major
Early 1990s recession
Forced to exit the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (established the Euro)
Privatisation of the British rail
The dangerous Dogs act
Downing Street Delaration (gave Ireland the right to self-determination) -
Channel Tunnel opens
The Channel tunnel established a rail link between London and Paris. -
'Black Wednesday' removes the sterling from the ERM
The Sterling was under strong financial pressure, so was forced to pull out of the European Union's Exchange Rate Mechanism.
This was a major blow to the Conservative's reputation with money, but it relieved pressure on Britain's economy. -
Council tax replaced community charge
Community charge was like poll tax, which was introduced in Thatcher's era. However, this meant that every individual adult had to pay the same towards the local authority.
Council tax was introduced; its a tax on households, based on the value of the property and the number of people living in it.
These taxes are used to part fund the local services. -
John Major's 'Back to Basics'
Major promised to lead Britain back to a Traditional Conservative morality.
He claimed that many old people were bewildered by sudden changes, as the traditional values were crumbling away.
He believed that people should have more respect for the law and their family. -
First women priests
The first time women were ordained in The Church of England.
It was accepted by most, but some traditionalists converted to the Roman Catholic religion in disagreement. -
'New Labour' government launched
It presented Labour as reformed so that it could gain the trust of voters back; they were critised for breaking election promises, previously.
They emphasised the need for social justice and euality of opportunity.
They also believed in free markets, which would detach them from capitalism to achieve the aims of socialism, while maintaining the efficiency of capitalism. -
Labour wins general election - Tony Blair
Labour won by a landslide victory, as voters responded to the 'New Labour' positively.
The Bank of England was given control of interest rates. -
Princess Diana dies in car crash
A controversial figure, Diana's death provoked widespread public mourning.
On the 6th October, one million people lined the streets of London for her funeral.