Economy under the Conservatives

Question 1

Increase in real wages?

Answer 1

25%

Question 2

Opinion of political commentator Andrew Gamble?

Answer 2

The 1950s were the golden years of the conservatives.

Question 3

How were the years under labour previously described?

Answer 3

‘austerity’

Question 4

How were the years under conservatives generally described?

Answer 4

‘affluence’

Question 5

How did Harold Wilson describe the years under conservatives?

Answer 5

‘thirteen years wasted’

Question 6

What was the conservative slogans in 1959 election?

Answer 6

‘never had it so good’

‘Life is better under the conservatives’

Question 7

World trade decrease in Britain?

Answer 7

25% - 15%

Question 8

Defence expenditure of Britain (percentage of GDP)

Answer 8

10%

Question 9

Why was money spent on military?

Answer 9

Independent nuclear arms programme
Maintaining military bases

Question 10

What percentage of British research funds went towards defence and not industrial growth?

Answer 10

34.5%

Question 11

World trade increase in Germany?

Answer 11

7% to 20% (1951-64)

Question 12

What was prioritised overseas?

Answer 12

Maintaining strong sterling area

Question 13

Proof that increase in wages was not due to inflation?

Answer 13

Wages rose faster than products

Question 14

Wages increase?

Answer 14

Weekly average wage of an adult:
1951 - £8.30
1964 - £18.35

Question 15

Inflation via postage rates?

Answer 15

1955 - 2.50p
1959 - 3.75p

Question 16

Percentage rise in car ownership?

Answer 16

500%

Question 17

Percentage rise in TV ownership?

Answer 17

4% to 91%

Question 18

What could borrowers now do under conservative government?

Answer 18

Borrow money and repay in monthly instalments over a number of years

Question 19

How many houses did conservative government promise to build each year in 1951 election?

Answer 19

300,000

Question 20

How many houses built?

Answer 20

1954 - 354,000
1.7 million while conservatives were in office

Question 21

1957 Rent Act meaning

Answer 21

Abolished rent controls and resulted in more houses available to rent

Question 22

No. people who owned property increase?

Answer 22

25% before WW2
44% by 1964

Question 23

Macmillan’s speech in 1957 (Bedford)

Answer 23

‘most of our people have never had it so good’ due to ‘industrial towns’

Question 24

Chancellor from 1951-5?

Answer 24

R. A. Butler

Question 25

What did Butler focus on?

Answer 25

Increased government expenditure in: - health - education - housing

Question 26

Increase in GDP during conservative government?

Answer 26

1951 - 16.1% 1964 - 19.3%

Question 27

Who were Butler's policies similar to?

Answer 27

Right Labour Chancellor Hugh Gaitskell Butler was Left Conservative Chancellor. Ideology called 'Butskellism'

Question 28

What import controls were in place?

Answer 28

Prevented purchases from abroad.

Question 29

Evidence of stop-go policy?

Answer 29

- When demand for goods fell, taxes and interest lowered and import controls relaxed. - Taxes decreased around elections - Unemployment rate unstable (Between 1957 and 1958 the unemployment rate increased from 383,000 to 536,000)

Question 30

Stagflation:

Answer 30

- Industrial output declines and inflation remained. - Payment deficit slowed recovery and growth. Cutting taxes increased spending and inflation. - Textiles and shipbuilding companies declined.

Question 31

Unemployment figures?

Answer 31

1951 - 367,000 1964 - 501,000

Question 32

Butler's response to the growing affluence of the welfare state?

Answer 32

'the Conservative must be seen to have accommodates themselves to a social revolution.'

Question 33

Three-tier secondary education system?

Answer 33

- Grammar - Technical - Secondary modern Reinforced class divisions. Conservatives at local level disliked, but party accepted it.

Question 34

Who pushed for the abolition of the 11+?

Answer 34

Edward Boyle (Minister of Education)

Question 35

Who built the first purpose-built comprehensive schools?

Answer 35

Conservatives and not Labour

Question 36

Robins Report date?

Answer 36

1963

Question 37

Robins Report overview?

Answer 37

Comprehensive principles into higher education by expanding universities and providing larger grants.

Question 38

How many new schools and universities built?

Answer 38

6000 new schools 11 new universities built

Question 39

Homicide Act date?

Answer 39

1957

Question 40

What was the Homicide Act 1957?

Answer 40

Accelerated the process which ended the death penalty. - Liberal reform carried out by Butler as Home Secretary.

Question 41

France TVs popularity?

Answer 41

1960 --> 17%