Class and Liberal Society (1918-1979)

Question 1

Define the working class.

Answer 1

Manual labourers in factories, mines, docks, railways – lived in tight-knit communities.

Question 2

Define the lower middle class.

Answer 2

Semi-skilled clerical workers, small business owners. Owned their houses.

Question 3

Define the middle class.

Answer 3

Professionals such as doctors, lawyers, bankers, civil servants.

Question 4

Define the upper class.

Answer 4

People who had inherited wealth, land and titles. It’s represented in the House of Lords and supported by the Conservative Party.

Question 5

Name an another way class could be determined.

Answer 5

By socio-cultural aspirations ie. Dress, leisure pursuits, choice of newspaper.

Question 6

There were a few challenges to the ______ ___ before WWI, but this changed dramatically after the two World Wars.

Answer 6

status quo

Question 7

How were those in the upper classes, who held the positions of power, were treated with deference by those in the lower classes?

Answer 7

Those in power were trusted to lead the country’s institutions.

Question 8

1. What impact did the First World War have on the decline of the upper-class?

Answer 8

Most upper-class men in the war were given high positions like serving as an officer and were expected to lead. This took a toll on their lives, increasing the mortality rate seeing as 12.9% of men died in the war. Many aristocrats were forced to sell of their mansions after WW1, which meant it was easy for upper middle-class members to effect upper class identity. Increase income tax and death duties (often paid twice).

Question 9

2. How much land did the gentry sell off between 1918 and 1920?

Answer 9

Almost 1/4

Question 10

What percentage of the gentry were “landless” by 1951?

Answer 10

1/3 of the 4,000-gentry listed in Burkes Landed were landless which increased to half in 1951.

Question 11

What was the “new upper-class” based on and why?

Question 12

How did the political power of the upper-class change?

Answer 12

They lost their exclusive grip on political power so there was a decline of landed-elite power in the House of Commons because of the middle/ working class nature of MP’s and the rise of the Liberal party. Previously in 1910, wealthy landowner made up 40 % of the Mp’s but this fell to around 5 % by 1945.

Question 13

What decreased the level of deference from the lower-classes to the upper-class?

Answer 13

Houses that couldn’t be afforded by the upper class were bought of donated by the National Trust. The 1937 Country house scheme allowed families to live safely in their home for up to two generations if they transferred ownership to the National trust and opened the house up to the public for at least 60 days a year. It allowed owners to avoid paying hefty death duties when passing on a property within a family. Increasing popularity in the interest of country homes lead to many people paying entry fees and helped preserve the landed elite.

Question 14

What is the National Trust and how did it affect the upper-class?

Answer 14

It was an organisation established in 1895 to preserve and protect historic houses and landscapes for the benefit of the nation. The upper-class were effect in the sense that they had less access to land.

Question 15

What fear did the lower middle-class have following the First World War?

Answer 15

The erosion of the material privileges that distinguished them from the working class.

Question 16

Why were the “strike-breakers” during the 1926 General Strike enthusiastic about their work?

Answer 16

They blamed the increased strength of trade unions for increasing wages and prices even though inflation was the reason for strains on wartime economy.

Question 17

In what areas did the middle-class grow between 1918 and 1951?

Answer 17

An increase in home ownership.

Question 18

What became a defining characteristic of the middle-class during this period?

Answer 18

They were neither the ‘ruling’ class or manual workers, as well as home ownership and Rotary or golf clubs.

Question 19

What two debates are there over the impact of the Second World War on the working-class?

Answer 19

Arthur Marwick said there was profound and lasting change, especially psychologically, but Paul Addison argues there was only modest change.

Question 20

What three sections was the working-class divided into?

Answer 20

Labour aristocracy (skilled workers), unskilled labourers, the destitute and the criminal undercuts.

Question 21

Why was there a lack of working-class protest in the 1920’s?

Answer 21

The trade unions provided support through the war effort.

Question 22

Why did working-class men come off relatively lightly during the First World War?

Answer 22

The trade unions provided support through the war effort.

Question 23

Why did working-class men come off relatively lightly during the First World War?

Answer 23

Most working-class men were not deemed fit enough to go to war, they were typically malnourished and sickly.

Question 24

How did WW1 impact the working class?

Answer 24

Some welfare introduced. There was a rise in trade unions.

Question 25

How did WW2 impact the working class?

Answer 25

It was thought WW2 brought greater change for the working class than in WW1. Through evacuation and press attention, there was increased sympathy for the working class. Welfare state through the Beveridge report. There was full employment. Rationing meant better help.

Question 26

How did WW1 impact the middle class?

Answer 26

After WW1 a £250 annual salary was considered perquisite of middle-class status which meant the false perception of a rise in working class salary was worrying. The fear of not being distinguished from the working class was also due to fearing the erosion of material privileges. The wartime inflation had an impact on middle-class savings and incomes- the cost went from £100 in 1914 to £276 in 1920.

Question 27

How did WW2 impact the middle class?

Answer 27

By 1939, 60% of the middle class were homeowners compared to 20% of the working class. The difference of lifestyle between suburban and urban life, as well as the geographical separation of men from their place of work differentiated the middle and working class. Domestication of leisure time.

Question 28

How did WW1 impact the upper class?

Answer 28

Most upper-class men in the war were given high positions like serving as an officer and were expected to lead. This took a toll on their lives, increasing the mortality rate seeing as 12.9% of men died in the war. Moreover, 19% of all peers and their sons dies, and 20.7% Old Etonians died. Therefore, there were higher/ more frequent death duties. There were also higher taxes. Many aristocrats were forced to sell of their mansions after WW1, which meant it was easy for upper middle-class members to effect upper class identity. They then had to host their balls in punitive values ¼ of land was sold meaning less deference. There was a loss of political power.

Question 29

How did WW2 impact the upper class?

Answer 29

Previously in 1910, wealthy landowner made up 40 % of the MP’s but this fell to around 5 % by 1945. The rise of satire I.e. Monty Python (Satirical TV Show writers).

Question 30

What did Marie Stope’s Married Love argue when published in 1918? (Is it evidence for or against the sexual revolution?)

Answer 30

This argued that both men and women should enjoy sex within marriage. This is evidence against the sexual revolution.

Question 31

In 1947 what effects did WW2 have on traditional values and divorce? (Is it evidence for or against the sexual revolution?)

Answer 31

WW2 briefly undermined traditional values by separating husband and wives. Divorces were high in this year, but reports suggest women were happy to return to marriage after the war. This is evidence against the sexual revolution.

Question 32

(Is it evidence for or against the sexual revolution?)

Answer 32

This is evidence against the sexual revolution.

Question 33

(Is it evidence for or against the sexual revolution?)

Answer 33

This is evidence for the sexual revolution.

Question 34

(Is it evidence for or against the sexual revolution?)

Answer 34

This is evidence for the sexual revolution.

Question 35

(Is it evidence for or against the sexual revolution?)

Answer 35

This is evidence against the sexual revolution.

Question 36

(Is it evidence for or against the sexual revolution?)

Answer 36

This is evidence for the sexual revolution.

Question 37

(Is it evidence for or against the sexual revolution?)

Answer 37

This is evidence against the sexual revolution.

Question 38

(Is it evidence for or against the sexual revolution?)