Clement Attlee 1945-51

How did the Conservatives' badly organised campaign contribute to their loss in the 1945 general election?

- Churchill dominated the party campaign over party policies which came second. While many admired him, there was a distinct lack of policies to convince leaders that he'd be an effective leader post-war. - Significant focus was put on showing the Labour Party as socialist and extreme, when many had seen their role in the war effort as very important.

What did the Beveridge report outline as the characteristics that the new, improved system would have?

- Comprehensive (cover all problems relating to poverty, from birth to death) - Universal (available to all) - Contributory (paid into from wages) - Non-means tested (available to all, even if unable to pay) - Compulsory (all workers were to contribute)

What successes did Labour have in regards to imports, trade unions and entertainment?

- Exports went from £266 million in 1944 to £2.2 billion by 1950. - The Trades Union Congress (TUC) agreed to a wage freeze in April 1948. There were fewer strikes: 9 million working days lost compared to 178 million before. - TV licenses increased from 15,000 to 344,000 under Labour. Radio and cinema also became more popular.

What austerity measures were introduced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Richard Cripps from 1948-50?

- Food rationing. - Domestic living standards that limited families to £30 currency. - Petrol rationing and taxation.

How could nationalisation strengthen Britain?

- Gas and electricity were to be modernised to encourage efficiency. - The experience of war had convinced some of the Conservatives that state control could be beneficial to the coordination of a national economy. - It was hoped that nationalising transport would create one coherent system that could be used to support industry and help the economy to grow. - Some left wing people believed nationalisation could improve working conditions and profits could be used to increase wages. - It was believed that nationalisation might make workers more motivated, knowing their work was going towards the common good.

What evidence is there to show that even before the wartime Coalition Government had come to an end, work had started on some of Beveridge's ideas?

- In 1943 a ministry to supervise insurance was set up. - In 1945 family allowances were agreed. - Temporary homes were built (at state expense) for some of Britain's homeless and in 1944 a new Education Act was passed.

How did unhappiness with the Conservative government contribute to their loss in the 1945 general election?

- In the minds of many of the electorate, the Tories were linked to the depression and high unemployment of the 1930s. - Many remembered the ineffective appeasement policies that led to the failure to prevent war in 1939. - In the 1920s, after the First World War, the Conservatives failed to create a nation 'fit for heroes' with mass poverty.

How did Labour's organisation contribute to their victory in the 1945 general election?

- Labour's election campaign focused on the Beveridge report which talked of tackling the five giants which caused poverty in Britain. They promoted this as the reward for the six years of hard work people had done during the war. - They better targeted marginal seats and constituencies that had been neglected by the Tories during the war. - Attlee argued Labour represented the people, whilst the Conservatives represented 'property and privilege'.

In the 1945 general election, what areas did the Conservatives and Labour agree on?

- Maintaining a close relationship with the USA. - Continuing the responsibility of being a world power. - Both wanted welfare reforms (to differing extents).

How could nationalisation weaken Britain?

- Some on the right thought that business would become unprofitable because the owners wouldn't have any incentive to make profit. - The Conservatives were strongly against the nationalisation of iron and steel as these industries were profitable, successfully run and large investments were being made to modernise these areas. - Right wing people saw nationalisation as another way for the government to control and interfere with people's lives.

How did the fact that Labour reflected a new way of thinking contribute to their victory in the 1945 general election?

- They better represented the desire of the people to have stronger state intervention and build the welfare state to provide a nation 'fit for heroes' after the war. - Their emphasis on the nation working together through nationalisation and the welfare state appealed to post-war Britain. - In 1945, Labour were seen as the party of reform and reconstruction with bold ideas about how to encourage economic growth based on the principle of state intervention. - Leading Labour ministers had shown their worth during the Coalition government of the war.

Why did the British Medical Association (BMA) oppose the introduction of the NHS?

- They didn't want to become 'salaried civil servants' of the government. - They feared government interference in doctor-patient relations. - They saw the NHS as the nationalisation of the medical profession that would encourage state control of doctors. - They saw Bevan as left wing and ideologically committed to the NHS without thinking about the practical issues.

What were the five major problems highlighted in the Beveridge report?

- Want (caused by poverty) - Ignorance (caused by a lack of education) - Squalor (caused by poor housing) - Idleness (caused by a lack of jobs, or the ability to gain employment) - Disease (caused by inadequate health care provision)

What achievements (other than the Education Act) did Labour have in education?

An emergency building programme got temporary huts for pupils across the country and 35,000 more teachers were trained from de-mobilised service personnel.

What divisions developed in the Labour Party in 1950?

Bevan and Wilson disagreed over the scale of re-armament needed in Korea and the imposition of prescription charges. The centre-left and left members of the party fought for power.

How did the government approach the problem of idleness?

By 1946, unemployment was reduced to 2.5%, in spite of huge post-war problems such as shortages of raw materials and massive war debts. Nationalisation was the main way in which Labour kept full employment. Following the principles of economist John Maynard Keynes, they took control of the iron and coal industries.

How did World War II change the government's attitude through evacuation in Britain?

Evacuation helped to change attitudes because it meant that working class children mixed with more affluent families. It highlighted the severe poverty that still existed in cities after the reforms of the early 1900s. Upper and lower class citizens were brought closer together.

What was Clement Attlee like as a leader?

He came from an upper class family and was schooled publicly. He was often described as modest, meek and timid; he lacked in charisma and wasn't a talented or confident speaker. However, he was very intelligent and tactical, maintaining control over his committee in spite of the strong characters within. There was some conflict with him within the party when Herbert Morrison attempted to usurp him. He successfully remained in office though.

How did Bevan compromise with the BMA?

He stated in 1948 that he had 'stuffed their mouths with gold'. This referred to him promising them more money and privileges in return for their support - 90% of GPs had agreed to join the scheme by 1948.

What success did Bevan have in housing and how was he criticised?

He was responsible for the construction of 157,000 prefabricated houses. The Town and Country Planning Act of 1947 meant that land could be protected and urban development controlled. He didn't reach the 300,000 homes a year target because his standards were very high.

Why did some of the left wing Labour Party members criticise the NHS?

It supported private doctors by allowing 'pay beds' for private fee paying patients in NHS hospitals; it wasn't completely nationalised.

Who was Herbert Morrison and what was he like?

Leader of the House of Commons 1945-51 A 'born administrator', opinionated, intolerant, forceful and bureaucratic.

Who was Aneurin Bevan and what was he like?

Minister of Health 1945-51 An inspiring speaker, lazy and vain but an able administrator.

Who was Sir Richard Cripps and what was he like?

President of the Board of Trade 1945-51 A devout Christian, left-wing idealist, a pacifist and austere.

How did World War II change the government's attitude through rationing in Britain?

Rationing helped to change attitudes - the fact that everyone was restricted to buying a certain amount of goods created a sense of sharing and cooperation in Britain. It was accepted that the government was more involved in people's health and food intake.

Who was Ernest Bevin and what was he like?

Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs 1945-51 Anti-communist and a bully.

Why was there a housing crisis in 1945?

Slum clearance was stopped and bombers had destroyed homes during the war.

What was the last government before Labour?

The Conservatives won the general election in 1935 but had since lost 27 by-elections.

Which reform of 1944 was introduced to deal with the giant: ignorance?

The Education Act 1944: Made secondary education compulsary until the age of 15 and provided meals, milk and medical services at every school. The tripartite system was introduced, supposedly providing equal opportunities of advancement to either a grammar school, secondary modern or secondary technical school. However, the system was criticised for largely neglecting the technical sector.

Which group emerged in opposition to Labour during this period (1948-50)?

The Housewives League were wholeheartedly against rationing and other controls introduced.

Which additional reform of 1946 was introduced to deal with the giant: want?

The Industrial Injuries Act 1946: Made insurance against industrial injury compulsary for all employees. These benefits had to be paid at a higher rate than for ordinary sickness.

Which reform of 1948 was introduced to deal with the giant: want?

The National Assistance Act 1948: Provided benefits for those not covered by the National Insurance Act. National Assistance Boards were set up to help citizens whose resources were insufficient to meet their needs. They didn't need to pay the 156 weekly contributions anymore, but the benefits were set too low and so many citizens remained below the subsistence level.

Which reform of 1946 was introduced to deal with the giant: disease?

The National Health Service Act 1946: Made every British citizen eligible for free medical, dental and optical services. However, the development of the NHS was hindered by the number of old and out of date hospitals. Government costs were high and by 1950, paid optical and dental services had to be introduced.

Which reform of 1946 was introduced to deal with the giant: want?

The National Insurance Act 1946: Provided sickness and unemployment benefit, retirement pension and widow and maternity benefit for all adults. However, the scheme was criticised for the large number of officials it took to operate it and the fact that the benefit was restricted to those who could pay the 156 weekly contributions.

Which reform of 1946 was introduced to deal with the giant: squalor?

The New Towns Act 1946: Laid the plans for 14 new towns in Britain in order to provide new homes for those who'd been affected by the war. They also aimed to build 200,000 houses a year. The Labour Government's record, however, does not compare favourably with pre-war levels of house building or with the achievements of the Conservatives in the 1950s.

How did World War II change the government's attitude towards poverty in Britain?

The government became much more involved in people's lives during the war; most people welcomed this government intervention and wanted it to go further. The government was seen to be taking an active interest in providing for the welfare of the British people.

What economic problems developed in 1950?

The outbreak of war in Asia pushed up the cost of commodity prices worldwide, causing a balance of payments crisis.

How did World War II change the government's attitude through the bombing in Britain?

The upper, middle and working classes were equally at risk from bombing. Bombing helped to change attitudes because civilians helped each other construct shelters and would check to see if families needed help after a raid. A community spirit and mentality whereby everyone helped each other developed in Britain. This attitude was to continue after the war and resulted in new laws being passed.

What problems faced the British economy from 1945-48?

There were debts of £4198 million from the war; a balance of payments crisis because Britain was importing £750 million more than it was exporting; and exports of manufactured goods had dropped by 60% during the war. Costs of maintaining military commitments had quintupled because of the rising revolutionary activity in Palestine and India; the empire was under threat. Coal production decreased, leading to fuel shortages as well as the expectation of a famine in 1947 on top of the floods and cold winters.

What evidence is there to suggest that Labour's reforms were successful?

When Seebohm Rowntree investigated social conditions in York in 1950, he found that primary poverty had gone down to 2% compared to 36% in 1936.