1951 - 1964 Flashcards
(25 cards)
Who were the four Conservative Prime Ministers from 1951 to 1964?
- Winston Churchill (1951–55)
- Anthony Eden (1955–57)
- Harold Macmillan (1957–63)
- Alec Douglas-Home (1963–64)
Why was Churchill considered a figurehead during his 1951–55 premiership?
- Churchill was over 70 and in poor health.
- Suffered a serious stroke in 1953, which was kept secret.
- Often absent or disengaged from day-to-day governance.
- Preferred to focus on foreign affairs and legacy.
What was R.A. Butler’s role during Churchill’s second term?
- As Chancellor of the Exchequer, Butler drove domestic policy.
- Instrumental in modernising the party and maintaining economic stability.
- Implemented Keynesian economic policies to maintain full employment.
How did Churchill’s leadership reflect post-war consensus politics?
- Maintained Labour’s welfare state and NHS.
- Continued support for a mixed economy and nationalised industries.
- Represented continuity rather than change, appealing to centrist voters.
Why was Eden initially a popular choice for Prime Minister in 1955?
- Seen as Churchill’s natural successor.
- Had strong foreign policy experience as Foreign Secretary.
- Won a general election in 1955 with a 60-seat majority.
- Strong public image: viewed as charming, respectable, and moderate
What led to the Suez Crisis and when was it?
- Egyptian President Nasser nationalised the Suez Canal in 1956
- Britain, France, and Israel launched a coordinated military response.
- The canal was vital for British trade and 40% of shares held by the UK.
- Eden viewed this as a threat to Britain’s global influence.
Why did the Suez Crisis damage Eden’s reputation?
- Eden was seen as dishonest and reckless for misleading Parliament and the public.
- The military intervention failed
- international pressure, especially from the US, forced a humiliating withdrawal.
- This undermined Britain’s global standing and exposed its decline as a world power
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Why did Eden resign and when?
- 1957
- reputation damaged by the Suez Crisis
- Poor health
- public trust and political support collapsed
Why was Harold Macmillan nicknamed ‘Supermac’?
- nicknamed ‘Supermac’ as a joke by a cartoonist
- stuck because he seemed calm, confident, and successful, especially during the late 1950s economic boom.
- He reassured the public with phrases like “you’ve never had it so good,”
What were the factors that helped Macmillan win the 1959 general election?
- economic prosperity
- Macmillan’s popularity
- Labour divisions
- effective use of media
How did the economy help Macmillan win the 1959 election?
- wages rose by 25% between 1955 - 1959, while prices rose by 12%
- unemployment remained low near 2%
- Voters credited the Conservatives for this prosperity
How did Macmillan’s image help him win the 1959 election?
- seen as a calm, experienced, and reassuring leader
- appealed to both to both working and middle-class voters.
Why did Labour struggle in the 1959 election?
- internal divisions
- The party was split over Clause IV (the commitment to nationalisation)
- phrase ‘‘Labour had run out of steam’’ due to old ministers
- liberal decline led to more Tory votes
How did the Conservatives use the media to win the 1959 election?
- first UK election heavily influenced by television
- The Tories’ messaging focused on continued economic success
- simple phrases: “Life’s better with the Conservatives - Don’t let Labour ruin it”
How did economic prosperity in the 1950s support Conservative dominance?
- Weekly wages increased from £8.30 (1951) to £18.35 (1964).
- 500% increase in car ownership
- Home ownership rose from 29% (1951) to 44% (1964).
- Tax cuts in 1955 and 1959 created a ‘feel-good’ factor.
What were the Conservative housing achievements from 1951–64?
- 2.8 million new homes built during this period.
- Met 1951 pledge of 300,000 homes/year.
- Home ownership rose to 44% by 1964.
How did Macmillan support post-war consensus politics?
- Maintained Labour’s welfare state and NHS.
- Continued state investment in nationalised industries.
- Supported Keynesian economic principles like full employment.
- Helped stabilise the party’s broad appeal across classes.
What were the key events that damaged Macmillan’s reputation after 1960?
- Unemployment rose to 800,000 by 1963.
- His 1961 EEC application was rejected, damaging economic credability
- Night of the Long Knives (1962) seen as panic
- Profumo Affair (1963)
What happened during the 1962 ‘Night of the Long Knives’?
- Macmillan sacked 7 Cabinet ministers in a sudden reshuffle.
- 1/3 of the Cabinet replaced overnight in July 1962
- Intended to revitalise the government’s image.
- Backfired, seen as panicked and authoritarian.
How did the Profumo Affair impact the Conservative government?
- 1963
- Defence Minister John Profumo lied to Parliament about affair with Christine Keeler.
- Affair raised fears of national security breaches (Keeler linked to Soviet attaché).
- Damaged trust in government integrity and Macmillan’s judgment.
- Symbolised elite sleaze and hypocrisy.
Why did Macmillan resign in 1963?
- Cited ill health (prostate problems).
- Under immense pressure after scandals and declining authority.
- Feared further damage in a coming election.
Why was Alec Douglas-Home’s appointment as PM controversial?
- Not elected by party vote, chosen by Macmillan and party elite.
- Seen as undemocratic and outdated selection method.
- Lacked a strong mandate or charisma.
What made Douglas-Home appear out of touch with modern voters?
- Eton-educated aristocrat with traditional values.
- Lacked economic expertise compared to Labour’s Wilson.
- Struggled with TV and media presence.
Why did the Conservatives lose the 1964 general election?
- Rising unemployment and a balance of payments deficit.
- Party tainted by scandals and seen as out of touch.
- Labour under Harold Wilson seemed youthful, modern, and united.
- Lost by just four seats, but it ended 13 years of Tory rule.
