Cheatography
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To what extent did the politcal landscape change between 1918 and 1979? In what ways and with what success did governments deal with economic change 1918-79? How effectively did governments respond to changes in the workplace between 1918-1979?
This is a draft cheat sheet. It is a work in progress and is not finished yet.
Background
Labour becomes the main opposition party.
Liberals are kicked to third place.
Conservatives are relatively the same. |
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Decline of the Liberals
Pre-WWI was one of two major parties, main rival the Conservatives.
Key figures: Asquith and Lloyd George. |
Causes:
Dangerfield said: failure to cope with threat of TU strikes, NI and suffragette militancy.
Bernstein said: failure to adopt to class -based voting habits.
Most historians reject these views: would have been able to survive if not for events after 1914.
Wilson said: "rampant omnibus"; split of party.
Coupon Election: cemented the split, alliance of LG with Tories.
ROTP Act 1918: allowed Labour to rise, but Liberals failed to adapt.
LG's Cash for Honours scheme.
FPTP system: favoured bi-party system. |
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Rise of Labour
A minor party, until 1923 when it got more votes than Liberals and Ramsay MacDonald became the first Labour PM.
Labour party biggest in 1929, MacDonald PM again.
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Causes:
Unified post-WWI
Huge growth in TU membership
Ran local politics well: e.g. didn't discriminate candidates by class
Growing working-class identity
Liberal split- Asquith backed Labour government but gambled and lost, MacDonald's economic policies good, would be remembered in 1929 |
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Consistent Conservatives
Conservative staying the same
Stays consistent throughout, always one of top two biggest parties. Stability, family values.
Key figures: Stanley Baldwin. |
Causes:
Rebranding began in 1872 under Benjamin Disraeli. One-nation party idea. Built on by Baldwin.
Targeted the Liberals to win. Better alternative to combat Labour.
Benefitted from ROTP Act (plural voting for Oxbridge students/staff, wealthier, Tory voters), Irish independence, FPTP system. |
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