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The Making of Modern Britain (1951-2007) > The Impact of Thatcherism 1979-87 > Flashcards

The Impact of Thatcherism 1979-87 Flashcards

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1
Q

What characterised Thatcher as a leader and what was her political ideology from 1979-87?

A
  • She was perceived as a strong and decisive leader, whose approach generated both strong support and opposition.
  • Her ideology was underpinned by a desire to reduce the role of the state and expand the free market, focusing on sound economic principles
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2
Q

What were the three key factors that underpinned the post-war consensus which Thatcher sought to change?

A
  • Full employment
  • A mixed economy
  • Expansion of the welfare state
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3
Q

Who were the key ministers appointed by Margaret Thatcher who were described as ‘dries’?

A
  • Key ‘dries’ appointed by Thatcher included Nigel Lawson and Nicholas Ridley
  • These ministers were supportive of her free-market reforms
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4
Q

What was the primary policy goal of the Thatcher government regarding Northern Ireland in this period?

A

The Thatcher government sought to extend co-operation between the UK and the Irish Republic in the hope of achieving an eventual settlement in Northern Ireland

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5
Q

How did Thatcher’s government approach the issue of terrorism in the early 1980s?

A

The government adopted a firm stance - being unmoved by IRA prisoners hunger strikes and targeting them, e.g. Brighton Grand Hotel bombing

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6
Q

What was the Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985 and its significance?

A

The Anglo-Irish Agreement was a deal signed by the UK and the Republic of Ireland, which recognised that Northern Ireland was part of the UK but also gave the Irish Republic a consultative right regarding Northern Ireland’s future

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7
Q

What were the main results of the 1983 general election in terms of seats?

A
  • The Conservatives won a clear overall majority of 144 seats, with 397 seats
  • Labour won 209
  • The Liberal/SDP Alliance won 23 seats
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8
Q

What problems did the Labour Party face following the 1979 general election?

A
  • A perceived lack of leadership, significant internal divisions
  • The lingering legacy of industrial unrest
  • Their 1983 manifesto was dubbed “the longest suicide note in history”
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9
Q

What was the SDP (Social Democratic Party) and why was it formed?

A

The SDP was a centrist party formed by four senior Labour leaders (the ‘Gang of Four’) due to dissatisfaction with Labour’s leftward shift and internal conflicts

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10
Q

Who were the 4 founding members of the SDP?

A
  • Roy Jenkins
  • Shirley Williams
  • David Owen
  • Bill Rodgers
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11
Q

How did the SDP perform in the 1983 general election?

A

The SDP, in alliance with the Liberals, gained 25 per cent of the vote but won only 22 seats. This was despite a strong showing in popular vote

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12
Q

Who were the leaders of the Labour Party in this period?

A

James Callaghan - 1976-80
Micheal Foot - 1980-83
Neil Kinnock - 1983-92

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13
Q

What was the impact of Neil Kinnock’s leadership on the Labour Party by 1987?

A

Kinnock began the process of modernising Labour, moving it away from its hard-left image, and working to reform its party structure to make it more electable after the 1983 defeat

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14
Q

What was the core principle of Monetarism as implemented by Thatcher’s government?

A

Aimed to control inflation by managing the money supply and reducing public spending.
It prioritised stable prices over full employment

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15
Q

What was the short-term impact of monetarism on the British economy?

A

Monetarism led to a sharp recession - a significant rise in unemployment (reaching over 3 million by 1983), and a decline in industrial output

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16
Q

What were the “U-turns” of the Thatcher government?

A

The “U-turns” refer to instances where the government abandoned strict monetarist policies on specific issues, like public sector pay, to avoid severe industrial disputes

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17
Q

What was deregulation as part of Thatcher’s economic policy?

A

Deregulation involved removing government controls and restrictions from industries like financial services (the ‘Big Bang’ in 1986), transport, and public utilities.
It aimed to promote competition

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18
Q

What was privatisation and how did it affect British industries?

A
  • Privatisation involved selling off state-owned companies, such as British Telecom and British Airways, to private investors.
  • This aimed to improve efficiency and generate revenue
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19
Q

What was the social impact of Thatcher’s policies regarding the divisiveness of policies?

A

Thatcher’s policies were seen to create a more divisive society
with growing disparities:
- Between the prosperous South and the de-industrialised North
- Between those benefiting from the new economy and those left behind

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20
Q

How did the “Right to Buy” policy affect housing and home ownership?

A

The “Right to Buy” policy allowed council house tenants to purchase their homes at discounted prices.
This significantly increased home ownership but reduced the stock of affordable public housing

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21
Q

What was the primary cause of the 1984-85 Miners’ Strike?

A
  • The strike was primarily caused by the National Coal Board’s (NCB) announcement of 20 unprofitable pit closures
  • This threatened thousands of jobs and the future of the coal industry
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22
Q

Who was the leader of the NUM during the Miners’ Strike?

A

Arthur Scargill.
He adopted a hard-line stance against pit closures

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23
Q

What was the outcome of the Miners’ Strike for the NUM and the coal industry?

A

The strike ended in a decisive defeat for the NUM and a victory for the government, leading to further pit closures and a permanent weakening of trade union power

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24
Q

What was the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp and what was its focus?

A

Greenham Common was an anti-nuclear protest camp established by women in 1981, opposing the deployment of US cruise missiles in Britain.
It became a symbol of parliamentary opposition

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25
What was the Poll Tax (Community Charge) and why was it controversial?
The Poll Tax was a flat-rate tax per adult for local services, replacing local property taxes. It was highly controversial because it was regressive, sparking widespread protests and riots
26
How did the Falklands War of 1982 begin?
The Falklands War began when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands on 2 April 1982, claiming sovereignty over the disputed territory
27
Who was the Argentine leader during the Falklands War?
General Leopoldo Galtieri
28
How did the Falklands War impact Margaret Thatcher's political standing?
The victory in the Falklands War significantly boosted Thatcher's approval ratings and contributed to her landslide re-election in 1983
29
What was the outcome of the Falklands War for Britain?
Britain successfully reclaimed the islands, defeating the Argentine forces in a swift military campaign
30
What was Britain's general attitude towards Europe during the Thatcher years
Britain's attitude was generally sceptical but pragmatic, engaging with the EEC while maintaining a cautious stance on deeper political integration. Thatcher famously secured a budget rebate
31
What was the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) and Britain's initial stance on it?
The ERM was a system designed to stabilise exchange rates between European currencies. Britain generally resisted joining it, fearing a loss of economic sovereignty
32
How did Thatcher's government approach the Cold War in relation to the USA and USSR?
Thatcher's government was a staunch ally of the USA under Reagan, maintaining a firm anti-Soviet stance and supporting the deployment of cruise missiles
33
What was the economic climate at the beginning of Thatcher's first term in 1979?
Britain faced significant economic challenges, including high inflation, industrial unrest, and a struggling manufacturing sector
34
What was the overall aim of Thatcher's economic policies (Thatcherism)?
- Tackle inflation - Reduce trade union power - Privatise state industries - Encourage enterprise by reducing the role of the state in the economy
35
What was the policy of "supply-side economics" under Thatcher?
Involved policies like tax cuts, deregulation, and privatisation aimed at stimulating production and investment by improving the efficiency of the economy's supply side
36
What was the impact of Thatcher's policies on unemployment in the early 1980s?
Unemployment rose sharply, reaching over 3 million by 1983, largely due to industrial restructuring and recession triggered by tight monetary policy
37
How did Thatcher's government tackle inflation in the early 1980s?
Inflation was tackled primarily through strict monetarist policies, involving high interest rates and tight control over the money supply, leading to a significant drop in inflation rates
38
What was the significance of the "Iron Lady" nickname for Margaret Thatcher?
The nickname, originally from the Soviet press, highlighted her resolute, uncompromising, and strong-willed character in pursuing her policies
39
How did Thatcher's government view trade unions?
As an obstacle to economic growth and sought to reduce their power through restrictive legislation and confrontational tactics
40
What was the purpose of the Employment Acts of 1980 and 1982?
They aimed to curb trade union power by banning secondary picketing, restricting closed shops, and requiring secret ballots for strikes
41
What was environmentalism's role in extra-parliamentary opposition during this period?
Environmental concerns grew, leading to activist groups like Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace gaining prominence, though they were not yet a mainstream political force
42
What was the impact of television on British society during the Thatcher era?
Television became a dominant cultural force, with programmes like 'Spitting Image' and the rise of new television channels changing entertainment and political commentary
43
How did social divisions evolve during Thatcher's first two terms?
Policies like de-industrialisation and rising unemployment exacerbated existing social and economic divisions, particularly between the prosperous South and the industrial North
44
What was the role of the police during the Miners' Strike?
The police played a central, often controversial, role in confronting miners, leading to clashes and accusations of acting as a political tool for the government
45
What was the key feature of the British economy after the implementation of monetarist policies?
The economy shifted from a manufacturing base towards service industries, with declining inflation but persistent unemployment in traditional industrial areas
46
How did the Thatcher government handle public expenditure?
The government aimed to reduce public expenditure as a proportion of GDP, believing it stifled economic growth and fuelled inflation
47
What was the Privatisation of British Gas?
British Gas was privatised in 1986, becoming one of the largest share offerings in British history and encouraging wider share ownership
48
How did the government encourage private sector involvement in the economy?
Through privatisation, deregulation, and tax incentives, the government aimed to shift economic activity from the public to the private sector, promoting free-market principles
49
What was the impact of new technologies on British society during this period?
New technologies like personal computers and satellite television began to emerge, hinting at future societal changes towards boosted consumerism
50
What was the significance of the Brighton Hotel bombing in 1984?
The bombing was an IRA assassination attempt on Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet during the Conservative Party conference, highlighting the continued threat of terrorism
51
What key Conservatives were killed in the Brighton bombing?
- Sir Anthony Berry - only sitting Conservative MP killed -
52
What was the overall approach to Northern Ireland during the Thatcher years?
The approach combined a firm stance against terrorism with political initiatives like the Anglo-Irish Agreement to seek a political solution and improve relations with the Republic
53
How did the Conservative Party maintain public support during the early 1980s despite economic challenges?
- Falklands War victory - Perceived weakness and divisions of the Labour party - Thatcher's strong leadership
54
What was the role of the Cabinet under Margaret Thatcher?
Thatcher's strong leadership style often led to her dominating Cabinet discussions, sometimes alienating ministers who disagreed with her policies
55
What were the key arguments for privatisation put forth by the Thatcher government?
- Increasing efficiency - Introducing competition - Improving consumer choice - Generating revenue for the Treasury
56
How did the Labour Party respond to Thatcher's economic policies in the early 1980s?
Labour largely opposed Thatcher's free-market policies, advocating for a return to state intervention and a stronger welfare state, though their opposition was weakened by internal divisions
57
What was the political landscape like for the Labour Party after the 1983 election?
The 1983 election was a catastrophic defeat for Labour, prompting a period of deep introspection and significant reform efforts under Neil Kinnock
58
How did Thatcher's economic policies impact regional disparities in Britain?
They often exacerbated regional disparities, leading to economic decline and higher unemployment in traditional industrial areas (like the North) while the South generally prospered
59
What was the impact of deregulation on the City of London?
The 'Big Bang' of 1986, a key deregulation event, transformed the City of London, leading to increased competition and its strengthening as a global financial centre
60
What was the relationship between the government and the police during the Miners' Strike?
The government provided extensive support and resources to the police, which allowed them to manage and often suppress picketing, leading to accusations of politicisation
61
What were the key industries affected by privatisation during this period?
Key industries included telecommunications (British Telecom), airlines (British Airways), and utilities (British Gas), among others
62
How did public attitudes towards trade unions change during the Thatcher years?
Due to repeated strikes and government policies, public attitudes towards trade unions generally became less sympathetic and more critical, viewing them as disruptive
63
What was the Conservative Party's position on Europe by the end of this period (1987)?
While remaining within the EEC, a growing Euroscepticism began to emerge within the Conservative Party, particularly regarding further integration beyond the common market
64
How did the Falklands War influence Britain's foreign policy more broadly?
The war reaffirmed Britain's capacity for military projection and its resolve to defend its interests, reinforcing its international standing
65
What was the role of Lord Carrington in Thatcher's early government?
Lord Carrington served as Foreign Secretary but resigned in 1982 over the Argentine invasion of the Falklands, taking responsibility for the perceived diplomatic failure
66
What was the government's approach to local authorities during the Thatcher era?
The government sought to reduce the power and financial autonomy of local authorities, often centralising control and leading to clashes, notably over the Poll Tax
67
What was the economic philosophy behind the sale of council homes?
The policy was driven by a belief in expanding individual home ownership and promoting private property, aligning with free-market ideals and reducing state provision of housing
68
What was the impact of Thatcher's policies on social welfare?
While not dismantling the welfare state, policies aimed at containing its costs and encouraging private provision for services like healthcare and education, leading to increased debates about their future
69
How did Thatcher's government interact with the United States during the Cold War?
The relationship was exceptionally close with President Reagan, characterised by strong military and diplomatic cooperation and shared anti-Soviet stance
70
What was the political significance of the SDP's formation for the two major parties?
The SDP's emergence split the anti-Conservative vote, arguably benefiting the Conservatives in the 1983 general election by further fragmenting Labour's traditional support
71
How did the government address public sector strikes during this period?
The government adopted a firm, often confrontational, stance against public sector strikes, determined to limit wage increases and reduce union power
72
What were the key features of the 1983 general election campaign?
The campaign was heavily influenced by the Falklands victory, the perceived weakness and division of the Labour Party, and the challenge posed by the SDP-Liberal Alliance
73
What was the long-term legacy of the Miners' Strike for industrial relations in Britain?
The defeat of the NUM effectively broke the power of large industrial trade unions, leading to a significant reduction in industrial unrest and a reshaping of employer-employee relations in Britain

The Making of Modern Britain (1951-2007) (6 decks)

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