Britain 12

Question 1

: What was the impact of the flapper vote (equal franchise)?

Answer 1

More women voted Conservative than Labour, Despite Conservative opposition, fear of women voters was low.

Question 2

How did the Conservatives respond to the flapper vote’s impact?

Answer 2

In 1927, they debated equal voting rights; Baldwin pushed through the Equal Franchise Act despite internal resistance

Question 3

What was the impact of the Equal Franchise Act (1928)?

Answer 3

Gave the vote to all women over 21; Conservative electorate grew by 2.2 million. Some newspapers opposed the bill.

Question 4

What were the main party messages in the 1929 general election?

Answer 4

Conservative: “Safety First” — Baldwin emphasized trust and stability.

Labour: “Socialist Commonwealth” — MacDonald promoted moderate reform and independence from unions.

Liberal: “We can conquer unemployment” — Radical economic plan without socialism.

Question 5

: What were the 1929 general election results?

Answer 5

Labour: 288 seats

Conservatives: 260 seats

Liberals: 59 seats
Labour won most MPs for the first time ever.

Question 6

Why did Labour win the 1929 election?

Answer 6

MacDonald’s moderate image reassured voters.

Baldwin’s “Safety First” was uninspiring.

Unemployment was rising and voters wanted change.

Liberals split the anti-Labour vote.

Question 7

What were Labour’s aims after forming government in 1929?

Answer 7

Build council houses

Raise school leaving age to 15

Tackle unemployment

Support League of Nations and disarmament (Arthur Henderson)

Question 8

: What was Britain’s situation in 1929 (economic, social, international)?

Answer 8

Economy: New industries rising, staples declining, unemployment over 1 million, gold standard worsened exports.

Society: Changing roles for women; new fashion and entertainment.

International: USA rising power; Soviet fears boosted anti-Labour views; optimism about Germany; India pushing for independence.