1923-29

Question 1

reasons for decline of liberals

Answer 1

split between DLG and Asquith, lack of income, electoral system disadvantages, could no longer rely on Irish nationalists, lost of support from workers

Question 2

reason for 1923 election and results

Answer 2

Baldwin required a mandate for tariffs, 258 conservative, 191 labour, 158 liberal

Question 3

strengths of Labour for 1923 election

Answer 3

voters switching from liberal to labour, organised and well funded by trade unions, constitution of 1918- clear aims, gained experience in the war e.g. Arthur Henderson in cabinet

Question 4

changes by labour government

Answer 4

increases to old age pensions and unemployment benefits, increased scholarships to universities, no preferential treatment of strikers, housing act- built 500,000 by 1933

Question 5

international relations under labour

Answer 5

negotiated Dawes plan and repaired relations with russia with a 30m loan

Question 6

reasons for resurgence of conservatives post war

Answer 6

the war split the liberals and conservatives showed strength in coalitions, patriotism and defence aligned with conservatives, representation of the people’s act 1918 increased support, more people and business owners could have two votes if premises outside constituency, females also voted conservatives, good funding and newspapers, Ireland loss of support for IN for liberals.

Question 7

Baldwin’s reforms

Answer 7

widows, orphans and old age contributory pensions act, national insurance act (1925), electricity act (1926), local government act (1929)

Question 8

widows orphans and old age contributory pensions act

Answer 8

Introduced state pensions for workers over 65, widows, and orphans.
Funded by contributions from workers, employers, and the government.
Expanded the welfare state and reduced poverty in old age.

Question 9

electricity act

Answer 9

Created the Central Electricity Board.
Set up a national grid to standardise and expand electricity supply.
Boosted industrial development and household electrification.

Question 10

local government act

Answer 10

Abolished Poor Law Boards of Guardians.
Shifted welfare responsibilities to local councils.
Modernised and centralised welfare delivery at the local level.

Question 11

industry output changes 1913-29

Answer 11

coal, 292-261m tonnes. iron 10-8m tonnes, textiles 6,469-3,443 m metres

Question 12

new industries

Answer 12

central electricity board created, motor car production was 3 times higher in 1925 than 1913, more jobs in service sector, around 500,000 more.

Question 13

economic measures to solve trade

Answer 13

conservatives aimed to implement tariff reform in 1923, labour improved relations with russia, helped construct the dawes plan.

Question 14

economic measures to solve unemployment

Answer 14

labour started public works programme, which aimed to create jobs by spending on roads, houses, however was too small a scale

Question 15

economic measures to solve industry

Answer 15

subsidies for imperial airways aimed to give birth to civil aviation

Question 16

trade measures by Baldwin’s government

Answer 16

came back onto gold standard in 1925, at 4.86 from 3.40, made exports uncompetitive

Question 17

coal mines state

Answer 17

employed more than 1m people, miners federation was well organised, strikes occurred in 1919 and 1920. conditions were poor and wages low, with 3603 dying in the job from 1922-24

Question 18

strike action leading up to general strike

Answer 18

working days lost in 1921 86million, 1926 162.2m. in the first 6 months of 1925 the coal mining industry made a loss of 2.1million. this caused mine owners to call for wage reductions, this was rejected by the workers. the workers called support from other industries rail and dockers. government subsidised wages for 9 months.

Question 19

general strike build up

Answer 19

Samuel commission set up, rejected nationalisation but stated that wage cuts were essential, owners said if workers did not accept cuts by May 1st they would be locked out, the TUC called on other unions, baldwin did little to stop the strike, enacted the 1920 emergency powers act on the 1st may

Question 20

reasons for failure of the general strike

Answer 20

Government set up organisation for maintenance of supplies, 100,000 volunteers. use of the british gazette as propaganda and the lack of organisation of the TUC. ended on the 12th may.

Question 21

results of the general strike for the miners

Answer 21

did not gain wages and hours, many faced discriminations and demotions upon return, or job losses

Question 22

result of the general strike for the trade unions

Answer 22

strike cost the NUR and TGWU 1m each, 1927 trade disputes act prevented sympathy striking, limited picketing. Trade union membership fell below 5m by 1927.