Summary notes of UK: Making of Modern Britain AQA A Level (Reduced spec)
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Course
UK: Making of Modern Britain 1951-2007
Institution
AQA
A large summary document for the UK: Making of Modern Britain AQA A Level sat in 2022, with reduced specification bullet points. Large quantities of key information, date and evidence that can be used across the time periods.
Led to achievement of A grade in the 2022 exam series.
Conservative governments Churchill as PM
and reasons for political ● Had been great wartime hero but less so 51-55, was old and had health issues (had
dominance: Churchill, Eden, suffered a stroke 1953)
Macmillan and Home as ● More internationally focused than domestically; focus on war prevention and international
political leaders; domestic relations
policies; internal Labour ● Tensions in government as advisors got on badly
divisions; reasons for ● Day to day government usually left to Eden, Butler, Macmillan etc
Conservatives' fall from power
Eden as PM
● Initially high hopes due to increase in majority (16 to 70)
● Lacked experiences especially in economics
● Struggled with controlling powerful ministers (Macmillan 1956)
● Issues of Suez and response ruined his reputation, but the reputation of the Conservative
party was not seriously damaged
Macmillan as PM
● Emerged over Butler as a safe choice
● Party unity restored under him and full control of affairs taken
● 1959 election led to 100 seat majority (nicknamed Super Mac)
● Was good with TV and media which made him appealing
Conservative strength further
● Party reorganisation
○ 1947 Industrial Charter - committed the Conservative Party to the Welfare State
and a mixed economy.
○ Led by younger members like Butler and Enoch Powell.
○ Brought new/younger politicians in to key roles within government, and later as
PM (e.g Eden)
○ Some of these reforms were seen to win voters away from Labour and towards
the Conservatives.
● Role of R.A. Butler
○ ‘Best prime minister the Conservatives never had’.
○ Seen as a possible Conservative leader in two General Elections
○ Held the role of Chancellor of the Exchequer 51-55 and helped economic growth.
○ Inherits a £700m Balance of Payments deficit (spending more than they're
getting), within 5 years turns it into a £259m surplus (getting more than they’re
spending).\
● Domestic policy (below)
Domestic policies
● Government had accepted post-war consensus (mixed economy, NHS/welfare support, full
employment and working with unions)
● Housing promises to build 300,000 new homes 1951 manifesto
● Tripartite system of education (grammar, secondary modern and technical), Eden
attempted greater emphasis on technicals
● Social reforms: Clean Air Act 1956, Housing Acts, Homicide Act 1957, Wolfenden
Commission on homosexuality
Internal Labour divisions
● Wartime leaders were ageing and in bad health
● Bevan and Gaitskell split over leadership and prescription charges
● Gaitskell (seen as right wing) defeated Bevan (more left wing)
● Growing opposition from trade unions
● Debate over the nuclear deterrent and over the abolition of Clause IV (committed them to
nationalisation) which was opposed
● Gaitskell put forward the idea of abolishing Clause IV of the party constitution, the clause
that committed the party to nationalisation
● Opposition from left wing Labour and trade unionists was fierce
● Gaitskell backed down so never went to vote
● Bevanites supported further nationalisation
● Bevan initially opposed the development of nuclear weapons but in 1957 he announced
opposition to unilateral nuclear disarmament
, ● They were concerned with the question of a British independent nuclear deterrent
● Position began to improve in 1960s with failures of Conservatives and Wilson’s 1963
election
Age of affluence supporting Conservatives
● Economic growth & full employment
○ Improved the economic conditions of the country
○ The economy grew quick enough for Butler to reduce taxes and increase
spending on welfare at the same time as well as keeping voters happy
○ Full employment continued through this period and this spread the gains of
growth widely throughout society
○ Macmillan was able to fulfil the 300000 houses a year pledge by 1953 (earlier
than promised)
○ Churchill administration was able to end rationing and many of the other controls
that had characterise the war and post-war years
● End of Korean war
○ Sparked an economic crisis from the costs
○ Between North Korea and South Korea
○ When it finishes it reopens world trade and gives Britain a chance to build up and
restore their resources
○ 90000 British troops sent
○ Prices of raw good decrease
● American money
○ Marshall Aid
○ Anglo-American loan agreement
Conservative fall from power
● Failure to join the EEC in 1963
● Night of the Long Knives 1962 attempted to strengthen but instead weakened the
government
● Macmillan appeared old and out of touch
● Series of spy scandals including Blake in 1961 and Vassall 1962
● Profumo affair 1963 affected Conservative party image heavily
● Divisive power struggle ending in the election of Home (moderate)
Foreign relations: EFTA and Suez crisis background
attempts to join the EEC; ● In Feb 1955 Eden stops Britain trading weapons with Nasser
relations with and policies ● British troops continued to leave Egypt during 1955, with Nasser getting his resources
towards USA and USSR; instead from USSR
debates over the nuclear ● Britain/US withdraw support; Egypt appeal to World Bank for $200mil load, but is refused
deterrent; Korean War; Suez; ● July 1956 Nasser nationalised Suez Canal; Egypt take the revenue to fund dam
the ‘Winds of Change' and ● Eden looked towards military action to bring Nassar down
decolonization ● Creation of Israel led to Middle-East conflict
● 1955 Britain signs ‘Baghdad Pact’ to try and keep Middle East secure but Egypt refuses to
sign
● Israel concerned with Egypt buying from USSR so begins deals with France
● Britain, France and Israel devise plan for Israel to attack Egypt providing excuse for France
and Britain to step in and take control back; plan was kept secret from allies, including USA
and Parliament
Suez conflict
● 29 Oct 1956 - Israeli forces start airborne assault to gain some control
● 30 Oct 1956 - Britain/France issue ultimatum to stop fighting and Nasser withdraws
● 5 Nov 1956 - Anglo-French attack begins on Suex
● 6 Nov 1956 - Anglo-French forces won series of victories along the canal and were close
to to securing it when UN called for ceasefire
● Suez canal closed, ships scuttled in water and bridge collapsed
Suez backlash and repercussions
● Labour party opposed the actions, as did the USA
● Britain dependent on US for financial aid and so had to withdraw
● UN peacekeepers were sent to restore order
● Eden was asked if he had had any prior knowledge, which he denied; as evidence came
out he was forced to resign in January 1957
● Anglo-US relations became strained but remained partners in NATO as Cold War allies
against USSR
● Britain's reputation as ‘force for good’ in world in repute
● Shows Britain’s inability to act without USA
● Highlighted Britain’s internal and external problems
, ● Demonstrated UK as no longer a leading world power
Winds of Change speech
● Reveals existential crisis for the British and their sense of place in the world
● South Africa’s policies were subject to international scrutiny in ‘60s
● Sharpeville Massacre; (March 21, 1960); in the Black township of Sharpeville in South
Africa, where police fired on a crowd of Black people, killing/wounding 250; one of the
first/most violent demonstrations against apartheid (a system of legislation that upheld
segregationist policies against non-white citizens) in SA
● Referendum on whether country wanted to become a republic; 52% voted yes
● Then needed to reapply for continued membership of Commonwealth; instead chose to
withdraw from Commonwealth on 31st May 1961
Strengths of imperial policy
● Recognised independence movements and carried out decolonisation 1957-1968 in an
effective way
● Policy carried out with support form world leaders
● UK ensured it lead the process (didn’t allow it to get to the stage which would’ve made
them look weak)
● Completed with much less violence than other nations
● Transition from empire to Commonwealth; was realistic and successful, and showed Britain
was able to adjust
Weaknesses
● Central aim to defeat nationalist revolts and maintain control was not achieved
● Defence spending escalated due to rising nationalist groups
● UK forced into Winds of Change (admission of defeat)
● Pushed into speedy decolonisation when Ghana independence led to rush of others
● 1964 Commonwealth thriving but legacy of imperialism was still present and problems
imminent
Creation of ECSC
● Robert Schuman wants to unite European Coal and Steel Community
● Plans to integrate French and German heavy industry to promote rapid economic
reconstruction post war
● Britain and US supported but Britain reluctant to get involved
● France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg (The Six) agree to 1951 Treaty
of Paris; sets up the ECSC, a supranational institution that organised the six’s coal/steel;
Schuman wanted to eliminate possibility of more war
Messina conference
● European Economic Community taking shape after ECSC success
● Conference held in Messina (Italy) with all six represented; Britain sent a delegate but they
were not involved in talks
● Discussions at Messina go on to form foundation of EEC
● If Britain had been involved earlier they wouldn’t have had to later apply for membership
and ma had more influence in how Europe was run
Treaty of Rome
● Six expanded cooperation to other economic sector, creating the European Economic
Community (EEC) or ‘common market’
● As a result people, good, services and capital today move freely across the union
● EEC was supranational political structure
British changes mind to join
● Main reason changed mind was economic; realised that old patterns of trade were no
longer as strong
● The economic miracle that was happening in West Germany
● 1959/60 EFTA (Britain, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland) set up a
free trade area, but it was not as successful as the EEC
● Foreigh policy reasons as to why asked to join; USA was keen for UK to join as was a link
between US and Europe
● Shift is British prestige was already seen with Suez and decolonisation alongside
establishment of EFTA
● Britain had been unable to modernise infrastructure as effectively as they wanted
● Couldn’t export enough to Commonwealth countries to make up for imports
● Macmillan was anti-European under Eden; when he became PM reversed the decision and
joined Europe
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