What impact did Thatcher's governments (1979-90) have on Britain 1979-97

Question 1

What nickname was given to Margret Thatcher by the Russians?

Answer 1

The ‘Iron Lady’

Question 2

Which war was Margret Thatcher involved in during her leadership?

Answer 2

The Falklands war

Question 3

What significant action did Thatcher take regarding council houses?

Answer 3

Allowed people the ‘right to buy’ their own council houses

Question 4

What economic ideology did Margret Thatcher follow?

Answer 4

Neo-Liberalism

Question 5

What industries did Thatcher begin to privatise?

Answer 5

Industries including parts of the NHS

Question 6

What was the impact of Thatcher’s policies on education funding?

Answer 6

She cut educational funding and removed free milk from schools

Question 7

How is Margret Thatcher characterized in terms of her divisiveness?

Answer 7

Deemed the most divisive Prime Minister of the 20th century

Question 8

What was Thatcher’s stance on the Post War Consensus?

Answer 8

Ends the Post War Consensus

Question 9

What is a compulsory question type focused on in Thatcher exam questions?

Answer 9

Historical interpretations

Question 10

What was Thatcher’s first economic system from 1979 to 1983?

Answer 10

Monetarism

Question 11

What economic theory did Thatcher adopt from 1983 to 1990?

Answer 11

Supply-side economics

Question 12

By what percentage did manufacturing production fall by 1981?

Answer 12

14%

Question 13

What was the unemployment rate over 3 million by?

Answer 13

1981

Question 14

What was the inflation rate drop below in 1982?

Answer 14

10%

Question 15

What is the definition of privatization?

Answer 15

The selling of nationalised industries to private companies and shareholders

Question 16

List one reason Thatcher introduced privatization.

Answer 16

• To cut government expenditure on loss-making industries
• To reinvigorate the British economy with competition
• To reduce taxes through revenue from sales
• To allow ordinary people to own shares
• To promote ‘Popular Capitalism’

Question 17

What was the most successful part of ‘Popular Capitalism’ under Thatcher?

Answer 17

The sale of over a million council houses to owners between 1979 and 1988

Question 18

What is a yuppie?

Answer 18

A young urban professional

Question 19

What was the impact of the Big Bang under Thatcher?

Answer 19

Led to a huge growth in the financial services sector

Question 20

What was the effect of the miners’ strike on trade union membership?

Answer 20

Membership fell from 13.5 million in 1979 to 6.7 million in 1997

Question 21

What was the employment rate of manual labor in 1991 compared to 1974?

Answer 21

36% in 1991 compared to 47% in 1974

Question 22

What was the yearly inflation rate in the UK in 1979?

Answer 22

13.4%

Question 23

What was the UK’s GDP ranking in 1997?

Answer 23

14

Question 24

What was the average unemployment percentage from 1980-90?

Answer 24

9.1%

Question 25

What was the public expenditure as a percentage of GDP in 1997?

Answer 25

44%

Question 26

What was Thatcher's belief about the welfare state?

Answer 26

She believed it created a 'nanny state' and lazy dependents

Question 27

What book influenced Margret Thatcher's beliefs?

Answer 27

The Road to Serfdom by Friedrich von Hayek

Question 28

What was the MINIS programme?

Answer 28

Management Information System for Ministers to monitor costs and responsibilities

Question 29

What was the outcome of the Financial Management Initiative?

Answer 29

Resulted in 22.5% of civil servants being sacked and a saving of £1 billion

Question 30

What did the abolition of the Civil Service Department in 1981 signify?

Answer 30

It was believed to be a trade union in all but name. ## Footnote This action was taken by Thatcher to change the operations of the Civil Service.

Question 31

What did the 1988 'Next Steps' Report promote?

Answer 31

More flexible agencies that would work with the private sector. ## Footnote This led to the establishment of numerous agencies by 1991.

Question 32

By 1997, what percentage of civil servants worked in agencies and departments?

Answer 32

76% ## Footnote This was a result of the decentralization of the Civil Service.

Question 33

What was a significant effect of the introduction of private agencies?

Answer 33

Increased number of departments, such as the Benefits Agency and the Prison Service. ## Footnote This also led to concerns about the effectiveness of privatized services.

Question 34

What was the impact of the Local Government Act (1985)?

Answer 34

It abolished six county councils and cut government payments significantly. ## Footnote This act established governance by elected councillors.

Question 35

What did the Rates Act (1984) enable the Secretary of State to do?

Answer 35

Limit the rates made and precepts issued by local authorities. ## Footnote Authorities could be prosecuted for acting beyond the powers set out in the Act.

Question 36

What was the Community Charge (Poll Tax) introduced in 1990?

Answer 36

A system of local taxation where each taxpayer was taxed the same fixed sum. ## Footnote This led to significant political backlash and contributed to Thatcher's resignation.

Question 37

What was the Housing Act (1980) known for?

Answer 37

It granted the right to buy their own council house after 4 years. ## Footnote This policy led to 204,000 purchases in 1982-83.

Question 38

What was Thatcher's governing approach to the Conservative Party?

Answer 38

She had strong beliefs in free-market liberalism and patriotism. ## Footnote This is reflected in her quote about having faith rather than seeking consensus.

Question 39

Who were the 'Wets' in the Conservative Party?

Answer 39

Centrist Conservatives who supported Ted Heath and were often sidelined in Thatcher's Cabinet. ## Footnote Examples include Ian Gilmour and Willie Whitelaw.

Question 40

Who were the 'Dries' in the Conservative Party?

Answer 40

Supporters of Thatcher's free-market liberalism and patriotism. ## Footnote Prominent figures included Nigel Lawson and Norman Tebbit.

Question 41

What does the term 'handbag' refer to in the context of Thatcher's politics?

Answer 41

To crush a person or their ideas with a forceful verbal attack. ## Footnote This reflects her confrontational style.

Question 42

What is a 'Big Beast' in the context of the Conservative Party?

Answer 42

An MP who is so senior and influential it is difficult to keep him out of the cabinet. ## Footnote This term illustrates the dynamics within the party during Thatcher's tenure.

Question 43

How did Thatcher maintain control of the Conservative Party?

Answer 43

By gaining support from back-benchers and leaking information to the press. ## Footnote Her conviction often alienated powerful Cabinet ministers.

Question 44

What technological advance did the Conservative Party adopt during Thatcher's time?

Answer 44

Use of computers to target voters in marginal constituencies. ## Footnote This included a direct mail campaign before the 1983 election.

Question 45

What was a notable downside of Thatcher's political approach?

Answer 45

Resistance to change led to alienation of powerful ministers. ## Footnote For example, Lawson and Howe resigned over differing views.

Question 46

What policies continued Thatcherism under John Major?

Answer 46

* Privatisation of British Rail * Trade Union and Labour Relations Act (1992) ## Footnote Major also increased VAT, reflecting some continuity in economic policy.

Question 47

What was a significant outcome of the 1997 general election?

Answer 47

New Labour won 419 seats while Conservatives won 165 seats. ## Footnote This indicated a significant shift in the political landscape.

Question 48

What challenges did Labour face in the 1980s?

Answer 48

* Declining support from Northern working-class * Disillusionment with 1970s leadership * Image of the 'loony left' ## Footnote These factors prompted Labour to change its policies.

Question 49

What did Neil Kinnock and Tony Blair represent in the Labour Party?

Answer 49

* Kinnock led from 1983 to 1992 * Blair took over in 1994 and became Prime Minister in 1997 ## Footnote Both leaders aimed to modernize Labour's image and policies.

Question 50

What was the impact of 'The Wonderful Discovery of Witches'?

Answer 50

It provided a justified account of the trials that protected the reputations of the judges involved. ## Footnote The work was published in 1613, three months after the trials.

Question 51

How reliable is 'The Wonderful Discovery of Witches' as a historical account?

Answer 51

Potts is selective in details and edits speeches for improvement. ## Footnote It presents an overview rather than a verbatim transcript.