Britain Transformed:Politics- The Status Of The 3 Main Parties In 1918 (impact Of WWI) Flashcards
(20 cards)
What was the origin of the Labour Party?
Originated from the Labour Representation Committee, established in 1900 by the Trade Union Congress to represent working-class interests in Parliament.
How was the Labour Party connected to trade unions?
A: It was strongly linked to trade unions, aiming to improve wages and working conditions by supporting union-backed MPs.
How did the Labour Party grow in its early years?
It grew steadily, winning 29 seats in 1906 and 40 seats by the 1910 general election.
What impact did the introduction of MP salaries in 1911 have?
Salaries enabled more working-class individuals to enter politics, breaking previous class barriers.
Why was the Representation of the People Act 1918 a turning point for Labour?
It enfranchised most working-class men, Labour’s key support base.
By 1920, what was Labour’s political status?
Labour had overtaken the divided Liberal Party to become the main opposition to the Conservatives, firmly establishing itself as a rising force in British politics.
By 1920, what was Labour’s political status?
Labour had overtaken the divided Liberal Party to become the main opposition to the Conservatives, firmly establishing itself as a rising force in British politics.
Who led the Conservative Party in 1918?
Bonar Law.
How many seats did the Conservatives win in the 1918 “coupon election”?
They won 335 seats, the largest share in Parliament.
What was the “coupon” in the 1918 election?
A letter of endorsement given to coalition-supporting candidates.
How did the Representation of the People Act 1918 benefit the Conservatives?
They gained support from newly enfranchised middle- and working-class men.
What values did the Conservative Party appeal to in 1918?
Patriotism, order, and self-improvement.
What role did the Conservative Party play in the coalition government post-1918?
It became the main power behind the coalition and set the stage for continued dominance in the 1920s.
What internal division weakened the Liberal Party in 1918?
The split between supporters of Lloyd George (coalition leader) and Asquith (opposed coalition).
How many Liberals received the coalition endorsement in the 1918 election?
127 Lloyd George Liberals received the endorsement.
How many Asquithian Liberals won seats in 1918?
Only 36 seats.
What happened to former Prime Minister H. H. Asquith in the 1918 election?
He lost his seat, symbolizing the party’s collapse.
Why did the Liberals struggle after the Representation of the People Act 1918?
They failed to adapt to the new political landscape that enfranchised millions of working-class voters, many of whom supported Labour.
What was Lloyd George’s position after the 1918 election?
He remained Prime Minister but depended on Conservative support.
What was the long-term impact on the Liberal Party’s political dominance?
The Liberals never again dominated British politics as they had before the war.
