London picadilly1955

British Politics 1955-1972

By 10hwhitaker

  • Winston Churchill

    Churchill tried - and failed - to recreate the dynamism of his wartime administration, and he struggled to adjust to the political realities of the Cold War, preferring direct action and personal diplomacy to proxy wars and cabinet consensus. His refusal to retire, despite suffering a stroke, caused mounting frustrations among his colleagues. At the age of 80, he finally conceded to his failing health and stepped down, although he continued to serve as an MP

  • •Great Britain declares State of Emergency due to National Rail Strike

  • •Clement Attlee who oversaw the creation of the British Welfare System resigns as leader of the Labour Party

  • •Princess Margaret announces she will not marry divorced Group Captain Peter Townsend

  • Ruth Ellis the last woman in England to be executed is hung at Holloway Prison

  • Period: to

    British Politics

  • Sir Anthony Eden

    When Sir Winston Churchill retired due to ill health, Eden took over as prime minister. Many years before, Churchill had anointed Eden as his successor, but later acknowledged he had made 'a great mistake'. His opinion was born out as the new PM blundered into the Suez Crisis. Following Egypt's decision to nationalise the Suez canal, Britain (the principal shareholder), France and Israel invaded in October 1956 to near-universal condemnation and the threat of nuclear strikes by the Soviet Union.

  • Harold Macmillen

    Conservative

  • Suez Crisis

  • Sir Alec Douglas-Home

    Conservative

  • Harold Wilson

    Labour

  • Abortion is legalised and homosexuality is discrimilized

  • The Voting Age is lowered to 18

  • Harold Wilson

    Labour

  • Britain becomes a member of the European Economic Community