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Summary Modern Britain: The Affluent Society Part One
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Class and the Establishment Impact of Affluence and consumerism The Position of Women Teddy Boys, Mods and RockersClass Loyalty: The ‘Establishment’: deferential and conformist Consumer Goods: Surge in ownership from Hire Purchase, mostly Position of women in 1950: Housewives (crucial to
society in Britain. Shift in attitudes by end of 50s, Suez exposed lying due to advertising industry maintain nuclear family), not expected to work, 75% Teddy Boys
and manipulation by govt. CND + in popularity from 58 encouraged (ITV starting in 1955 + this) married, average age of marriage was 21.
challenging of authority, becoming more individualist and less Leisure: Num households owning TV rose by 32% from 1957 to 1959. Women working: Encouraged by govt to work for NHS
Emerged in 50s, one of first subcultures for
conformist society. 10M TVs used by 1960, ~50% pop watched and help rebuild country, but discriminated + poorly
youths. Closely associated with rock and roll era.
Loss of deference: Press coverage of Profumo affair highlighted TV in evening. People had more time + disposable income to develop paid. Only 1 in 5 women working in 1951, paid less than
Viewed with suspicion and associated with
this. Non-serious security aspects became excuse for popular press hobbies (DIY + gardening (popular in 50s) TV programmes started to men (still accepted, for example, E.g. Men in 1950
rebellion. Break of original values from post-war
to investigate sexual activity of those involved + other famous reflect their interests). received £7 per week, women got £5. In 1959 increased
era. Clothing influenced by dandies in Edwardian
figures. Previous tactics by govt to stop this failed. Definition: Car ownership: + 25% from 57-59. Led to construction of motorway to £13 per week for men but only £7 for women. Trade
Era.
Ruling social + political elites that often use nepotism to maintain system (Preston bypass) in 58 and M1 afterwards. 1957-63 1,200 unions didn't support it as feared would mean wage
the status quo. Also called ‘old boys network’ miles of new/upgraded main roads done. Holidays: Holidays camps decrease. Uncommon for married women to work.
Mods
‘Satre Boom’: Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Jonathan Miller and Alan peak of popularity in 50s, 60k/week with Butlins, foreign holidays still "Marriage Bar" still used by some companies which
Emerged in late 50s early 60s, loved modern jazz,
Bennet satirical stage show called Beyond the fringe. 1961: Private luxury with only 2% pop able to do it. restricted married women from certain occupations (e.g.
Factors which led to the emergence of ‘youth culture’: R & B and soul. Use of amphetamines (drug)
Eye raised in popularity over disrespect for rich/famous. 1962: TV Teaching)
show That was the week it was on BBC TV + raising in popularity free time - "Teenagers" had far more free time than previous explained all night club dancing popular with
Women at home: Paid Family Allowance, supposed to
group. In 60s peaked and split, some becoming
Criticisms of ruling elite: Critics believed Britain held back by ruling generations due to new labour-saving devices for women and men no make sure didn't have to work but made them less
hippie-like while others to skinhead movement.
elite. Elite emphasised arts education in contrast to science, blocked longer having to take part in the National Service after 1960. independent and more reliant on their husband. Mass
talent outside elite and tried to hide own mistakes. Leaders of Influenced by Italian scooters and suits.
Observation Survey of 1951 showed typical woman's day
conservative party only got there through being part of the Baby Boom - Number of teenagers 5 million in 1959 - 10% of pop. (based on 700 working-class housewives) - all domestic.
establishment, need leaders who got there by their own merit + Caused by baby boom after WW2 Though, lives improved by invention of new domestic Rockers
understood modern age devices such as washing machines (number of households
‘Angry young men’ and rebel literary figures: Group of writers, Economic independence - large amount of teenagers made them having one between 57 and 59 rose by 54% and 58% for Emerged in 60s. Heavily influenced by Rock and
rebelled against traditional theatre + literature, producing plays and more economically important and so meant had money to buy records fridges) Roll culture. Rugged appearance and 50s hairstyle.
books that (they viewed) reflected contemporary society. Sarcastic, and fashion items (helping create own culture). Often at odds with Mods leading to clashes.
bleak and usually bitter. E.g. Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party
New technology - Transistor radio helped spread this new culture.
Developing living standards statistics 1964 Clashes Attitudes to Immigration and racial violence
- Average wages rose 20% over 50s, unemployment very low, high Key Post-war developments: Britain destroyed post-WW2, 1948 ship from Jamaica carrying 492 migrant workers,
wages, TVs in council houses, hire purchase rate highest ever in 50s, start of new trend of Afro-Caribbean immigration (Empire Windrush)
1 in 3 households buying good(s) with hire purchase, 50% furniture New Commonwealth – Refers to parts of empire that recently gained independence – e.g. India, becomes indirect
sold with hire purchase, of every 2 TV sets 1 bought with hire term for non-white. Immigration statistics in 50s – 1948: 250,000. 1958: 210,000 Commonwealth citizens settled in
purchase, for every 3 radio sets, one sold by hire purchase, 20% GB. 75% male + supporting families back home. Most initially from West Indies, nut growing number form
bought on hire purchase, 3M houses built, 1k/day houses built by India/Pakistan. Outwards migration statistics in 50s – 1950s: 676,000 immigrants, outward = 1.32 million. 1960s:
end of decade 1.25 mill immigrants, outward = 1.92 million. Public attitudes to immigration: Housing – some welcoming, but overt
Positives Negatives racism still exists e.g. ‘no Irish no blacks no dogs’ – Birmingham guest house 1955. Notting Hill Riots 1958 – growing
racial tension Notting Hill riots - Growing racial tension –Notting Hill riots 1958, altercation between a white woman
and her Jamaican husband, which drew a crowd of white youths (Teddy boys). 20 th august 1958 - This quickly
escalated into violent attacks on the homes of West Indian residents. – 30th august 1958 1 weeks riots. Oswald
Mosley (former British Union of Fascists) – runs for MP for ‘Union Movement’ in 1959 on platform of repatriation
(failed 8.1%) Bristol bus boycott - Tgwu (trade union) 1955: Coloured workers not employed. Bristol bus company
agrees. April 1963: Paul Stevenson sets up interview for guy Reid-Bailey applies for job. Discriminated. Boycott
called. August 28th 1963: MLK speech = Bristol bus company allows for job. Reid-Bailey reapplies for job and gets it
Attitudes of the authorities to immigration: immigrants generally desirable as they fill important low-wage jobs.
Growing concern after Notting Hill riots leads to:
Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962. sets up quotas for 3 categories of immigrant: Those with job offers. Those with
skills & qualifications. Those without either of the above. (This is opposed by Labour but they don’t repeal it in 1964).
Govt & local communities ‘muddle along towards multiculturalism’
s
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