Questions on British history

Basicaly my younger sibling is doing A-Level questions on British history and came to me being the history buff.

However I'm earth shateringly tierd and so thought I'd make great use of this site. I have allready answered the questions but thought I'd put them up here so she can impress her teacher with deep insight; they are as follows:

1) Why did Labour win the election of 1964?
2) What underlying problems faced Wilson government despite electoral victory?
3) Why did Britain make another application to join the EEC in 1967?
4) Why did Wilson's government prove a disappointment to many of its supporters
5) How progressive were Labours social policies in this period?
6) What have been the major criticisms of Wilsons first government?
 
Do you know, this is a period that I know bugger all about, and I expect I am not alone there...

Best Regards
Grey Wolf
 
Basicaly my younger sibling is doing A-Level questions on British history and came to me being the history buff.

However I'm earth shateringly tierd and so thought I'd make great use of this site. I have already answered the questions but thought I'd put them up here so she can impress her teacher with deep insight; they are as follows:

1) Why did Labour win the election of 1964?

The Tories had been in power for 13 years, and people wanted a change. The Conservatives were led by an aristocrat who "emerged" as leader rather than being elected; this helped form the perception that they were old-fashioned, tired and irrelevant to the needs of modern Britain.


2) What underlying problems faced Wilson government despite electoral victory?

Britain's comparatively poor economic performance; the fact that Britain had "Lost an empire but not found a role".


3) Why did Britain make another application to join the EEC in 1967?

The EEC was seen then as an economic powerhouse. The (then) six members had all seen remarkable growth in their GDP in the 10 years since the EEC was founded.


4) Why did Wilson's government prove a disappointment to many of its supporters?

Not being a Labour supporter I couldn't say. Some were disappointed at the lack of socialism; others saw the govt. as being too radical; others hated the "permissive society" and held the government to blame for it.

5) How progressive were Labours social policies in this period?


6) What have been the major criticisms of Wilson's first government?

I'll come back to you on the last 2.
 
On 6 the first thing that comes to mind is cancelling several military programmes (e.g. TSR.2 and P.1154) after spending lots of money on them. Then buying American, but rather than an 'off the shelf' purchase add lots of British content making the aircraft more expensive and unique.
 
Labour won in 1964 in large part because of exhuastion of the 13 year tory regime, plus scandals, especially Profumo. Note though that the election was narrrow and Home, the tory Prime Minister, was deeply uninspiring. I believe that Wilson looked modern in 1964.



During the 64-70 Labour government many social reforms were passed. In most cases they were Private Members bills but with government time and encouragement.

Specifically Capital punishment was abolished, divorce made easier, theatre censorship was abolished. In addition abortion was made legal in most circumstances, which may be seen as a progressive policy though others woud disagree.


A law requiring Equal Pay for women was past as government legislaton, to come inte effect in 1975. Laws were passed making Racial discrimination illegal.



On the other hand the government essentially broke promises to East African Asian UK Citizens who faced discrimination under the governments in that part of the World
 
Here are my thoughts.
1) Wilson won in 1964 partly because the Tories had been in power since 1951. Also Hume was not seen as Prime-Minister ready to lead Britian into the late 60's, where as Wilson was regarded as Modern. Also don't forget despite this the election result was very close, Wilson only got in with a slender majority of 4 seats.
2)The small majority between 64-66 made it hard to govern, also econmoic performance was down. Also the devaultion of the pound in July 1966 after the 1966 General election was also a factor.
3)I agree with the others on this.
Let me think about the others.
 
Basicaly my younger sibling is doing A-Level questions on British history and came to me being the history buff.

However I'm earth shateringly tierd and so thought I'd make great use of this site. I have allready answered the questions but thought I'd put them up here so she can impress her teacher with deep insight; they are as follows:

1) Why did Labour win the election of 1964?
2) What underlying problems faced Wilson government despite electoral victory?
3) Why did Britain make another application to join the EEC in 1967?
4) Why did Wilson's government prove a disappointment to many of its supporters
5) How progressive were Labours social policies in this period?
6) What have been the major criticisms of Wilsons first government?


1. Relatively uncontroversial, feeling of exhaustion in the previous government. Also a feeling that the Tories had dated - the Old Etonian feel that worked in the 50s felt suddenly very old-fashioned in the 60s. Wilson was also an effective media performer.

2. Relative economic decline beginning to be felt, "stop-go" economics dominating the economt

3.The reality of dimished internaitonal standing was beginning to come home

4. Big question. Firstly on economics a feeling that an agenda based around making capitalism work better was a betrayal of socialism; also foreign policy: Rhodesia, arms to S Africa, Vietnam, Diego Garcia all annoyed a new generation of left-wing activists

5. Strongly. Although of course opinions in the party were mixed and complex.

6. From the left: that it betrayed the socialist ideal.
From the right: that the technocratic agenda (IRC, DEA, Mintech) failed to improve the economy
 
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