Conservative Goverments, 1951-1964

Question 1

When was Winston Churchill Prime Minister of the UK?

Answer 1

1951-1955.

Question 2

What was Winston Churchill’s reputation based on?

Answer 2

His leadership during wartime.

Question 3

What role did Winston Churchill play on the international stage?

Answer 3

He was an international statesman.

Question 4

Who were some of the able ministers that worked under Churchill?

Answer 4

Eden, Butler and Macmillan.

Question 5

What aspect of governance was Winston Churchill less interested in?

Answer 5

Domestic Affairs.

Question 6

What factors affected Winston Churchill’s performance as Prime Minister?

Answer 6

Age and infirmity.

Question 7

When was Anthony Eden Prime Minister of the UK?

Answer 7

1955-1957.

Question 8

What was Anthony Eden known for being an expert in?

Answer 8

Foreign policy.

Question 9

What experience did Eden have before becoming Prime Minister?

Answer 9

He served as Churchill’s deputy.

Question 10

What were some of Anthony Eden’s personal qualities?

Answer 10

He was charming and popular.

Question 11

In what areas was Anthony Eden unexperienced?

Answer 11

Domestic affairs.

Question 12

What were some criticisms of Anthony Eden as a leader?

Answer 12

He was considered a weak leader and sometimes indecisive.

Question 13

When was Harold Macmillan Prime Minister of the UK?

Answer 13

1957-1963.

Question 14

What was Harold Macmillan’s reputation based on before becoming Prime Minister?

Answer 14

His success as housing minister under Churchill.

Question 15

What personal qualities was Harold Macmillan known for?

Answer 15

He had a calm, reassuring presence.

Question 16

How was Harold Macmillan viewed on TV?

Answer 16

He was good on TV.

Question 17

What political stance did Harold Macmillan support?

Answer 17

He was a one-nation Conversative and supported the post-war consensus.

Question 18

How was Harold Macmillan viewed later in his political career?

Answer 18

He became seen as old-fashioned.

Question 19

What health issue did Harold Macmillan face later in his time as Prime Minister?

Answer 19

He suffered from ill-health.

Question 20

What political stance did R.A.B Butler support?

Answer 20

He was a one-nation Conservative and supported the post-war consensus.

Question 21

What was R.A.B Butler known for in terms of experience?

Answer 21

He was experienced, holding a series of high-ranking ministries.

Question 22

What influential policies was R.A.B Butler responsible for?

Answer 22

The tripartite education system and the review of capital punishment.

Question 23

How was R.A.B Butler viewed by some of his colleagues?

Answer 23

He was divisive and unpopular with some colleagues.

Question 24

When was Alec Douglas-Home Prime Minister of the UK?

Answer 24

1963-1965.

Question 25

How was Alec Douglas-Home become Prime Minister?

Answer 25

He was not elected as leader of the party; instead, he was appointed.

Question 26

What was a criticism of Alec Douglas-Home due to his background?

Answer 26

He was a member of the aristocracy, which lead some to see him as out of touch.

Question 27

What happened to the Conservative majority in 1953?

Answer 27

The Conservative majority increased from 17-60.

Question 28

How did the Conservative majority change in 1959?

Answer 28

The Conservative majority increased again, this time to 100.

Question 29

What is the post-war consensus?

Answer 29

Policy agreement between the Conservative and Labour party.

Question 30

What is the alternative name for the post-war consensus?

Answer 30

Butskellism, named after Butler (Conservative) and Gaitskell (Labour leader).

Question 31

What was a key characteristic of the Conservative Governments between 1951-1964 regarding Labour reforms?

Answer 31

The Conservative government largely maintained and did not undo many reforms introduced by the Labour Government.

Question 32

What is meant by a mixed economy in the context of the post-war consensus?

Answer 32

It means that both government and private business play important roles in the economy.

Question 33

What system did the post-war consensus strongly support?

Answer 33

The NHS (National Health Service) and the welfare system.

Question 34

What was a key aim of the post-war consensus regarding employment?

Answer 34

Achieving full employment.

Question 35

What approach did the post-war consensus take toward trade unions and employers?

Answer 35

It emphasized working in partnership with trade unions and employers.

Question 36

What was the housing pledge made by the Conservative Party?

Answer 36

To build 300,000 houses a year.

Question 37

Who was the housing minister responsible for fulfilling the Conservative

Answer 37

Harold Macmillan.

Question 38

By what year did Harold Macmillan fulfil the Conservative Party's pledge to build 300,000 houses a year?

Answer 38

By 1953.

Question 39

What was the education system was continued during this period?

Answer 39

The tripartite system.

Question 40

What are the three types of school

Answer 40

Grammar schools, technical high schools and secondary schools.

Question 41

What act introduced the tripartite system?

Answer 41

The Butler Act, 1944.

Question 42

What was the main goal of each school in the tripartite system?

Answer 42

Grammar schools for academically inclined students. Technical schools for those with practical skills. Secondary schools for general education.

Question 43

Which social service was continued to be funded after WWII?

Answer 43

NHS (National Health Service).

Question 44

Which act, passed in 1956, aimed to address air pollution?

Answer 44

The Clean Air Act, 1956.

Question 45

What did the Factory Act of 1959 regulate?

Answer 45

It set regulations to improve working conditions in factories.

Question 46

Which act of 1957 reformed laws surrounding murder?

Answer 46

The Homicide Act 1957.

Question 47

What was the purpose of the Wolfenden Report of 1957?

Answer 47

The report recommended the decriminalization of homosexuality and prostitution.

Question 48

Which key industries remained nationalised after WWII?

Answer 48

Iron and Steel.

Question 49

When was iron and steel denationalised?

Answer 49

1953.

Question 50

What was the governments attitude toward trade unions in the post-WWII period?

Answer 50

The government adopted a conciliatory attitude towards trade unions.

Question 51

What was the stance of the left of Labour on prescription charges in post-WWII period?

Answer 51

NHS should remain free at the point of delivery, with no prescription charges.

Question 52

What was the right of Labour's argument for introducing prescription charges?

Answer 52

Prescription charges were necessary to address financial pressures on the NHS.

Question 53

What was the outcome of the prescription charges debate towards the end of Labour's administration? (1945-1951).

Answer 53

A division broke out.

Question 54

Which two figures became rivals due to the prescription charge issue?

Answer 54

Bevan (Left) and Gaitskell (Right).

Question 55

What did Clause IV of the Labour Party's constitution commit the party to?

Answer 55

Committed the Labour Party to the public ownership of major industries.

Question 56

What was the Left's stance on Clause IV?

Answer 56

The Left was wholly supportive of the nationalisation as outlined in Clause IV.

Question 57

How did the Right view nationalisation in regard to Clause IV?

Answer 57

They increasingly saw this as only one possible policy to be used where appropriate.

Question 58

Why were trade unions concerned about Clause IV?

Answer 58

Labour party may abandon Clause IV and its commitment to public ownership.

Question 59

What happened at the 1959 Labour Party conference regarding Clause IV?

Answer 59

Gaitskell tried to amend Clause IV but backed down due to opposition from the Left.

Question 60

What was the Left's stance on nuclear weapons at this time?

Answer 60

Left supported unilateral disarmament and supported the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

Question 61

What was the Right's stance on nuclear weapons?

Answer 61

The Right was against unilateral disarmament.

Question 62

What stance did trade unionist take on nuclear disarmament?

Answer 62

Trade unionists favoured disarmament.

Question 63

What happened at the 1960 Labour Party conference regarding nuclear disarmament?

Answer 63

A motion was passed to support unilateral disarmament at the 1960 Labour Party conference.

Question 64

What did Gaitskell do at the 1961 Labour Party conference regarding nuclear disarmament?

Answer 64

Gaitskell managed to have the motion supporting unilateral disarmament reversed at the 1961 conference.

Question 65

How were the Conservatives perceived during the 1964 election?

Answer 65

They were seen as out of touch with modern society.

Question 66

What types of media targeted the Conservative government in the early 1960s?

Answer 66

Satirical media such as 'The Week That Was' and 'Private Eye'.

Question 67

Why did Labour unity contribute to the Conservatives losing the 1964 election?

Answer 67

Labour had achieved greater unity under the leadership if Harold Wilson, which helped them present a cohesive, strong opposition to the Conservative government.

Question 68

How did the deaths of Bevan and Gaitskell impact the Labour Party's fortunes in 1964?

Answer 68

Removed key figures who had been sources of internal division, allowing Labour to focus more on unity.

Question 69

How did scandal impact the Conservative Party in the 1964 election?

Answer 69

Scandals such as the Profumo affair and spy scandals damaged the Conservative's image, eroding public trust.

Question 70

What was the Profumo Affair?

Answer 70

The Profumo affair involved a sexual scandal with War Minister, John Profumo and Christine Keeler. She was also involved with a Soviet diplomat. Profumo lied about it in Parliament.

Question 71

How did the spy scandals involving Blake and Vassel influence the 1964 election?

Answer 71

The exposure of spies such as George Blake and John Vassel, who were linked to the Soviet Union, tarnished the Conservatives' image.

Question 72

How did growing economic concerns contribute to the Conservative loss in the 1964 election?

Answer 72

Stop-go economics, inflation, and a poor balance of payments.

Question 72

What was the impact of the rejection of the EEC membership application of the 1964 election?

Answer 72

Failure to join the European Economic Community (EEC) damaged the Conservative Party's image.

Question 73

How did Macmillan's leadership affect the Conservative Party's loss in 1964?

Answer 73

Macmillan's leadership was weakened by his ill-health and the controversial 'Night of the Long Knives' in 1962 where he reshuffled his cabinet, leading to internal divisions and a loss of confidence in his ability to lead.