DHIS 27A05 - British Political and Social History: 1945-1980s

The post-war period in British history saw the development of a modern political state which regarded the well-being of its citizens as one of its prime responsibilities. Hence the growth of the welfare state with care of the population "from cradle to grave" as its principal slogan. The introduction of the welfare state came about as a result of the surprising victory of the Labour Party in the 1945 election. And the popularity of the new National Health Service guaranteed a cross-party consensus on this issue for the rest of the century. However, successive governments found it increasingly difficult to fund the welfare state during periods of high unemployment and low economic production rates towards the end of the century. Britain also saw the birth of a teenage culture during the 1950s and '60s inspired first by the rebellious sounds of Bill Haley and Elvis Presley from "across the pond" but quickly followed by indigenous musicians such as Cliff Richard, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. A liberalising of society also occurred with the legalisation of homosexuality, abortion, relaxed divorce laws and the abolition of the death penalty. But internal tensions existed as job opportunities were reduced and traditional working class employment in coalmining, steel and ship building and car manufacturing began to disappear. A disaffected working class could be persuaded by unscrupulous politicians that unemployment was a direct result of immigration and racial conflicts began to mark the political scene during the 1960s and '70s. Our course ends very differently from how it began. Trade union power had very much over-reached itself according to the right wing press and one politician was able to benefit from this: Margaret Thatcher. She was able to take control of the Conservative Party and the country by promising to return power within the unions to the grass roots members, by promising to give back to managers the power to manage and by promising to listen to the women of the country. And she promised to get “our money back” from the Common Market: the scene was being set for the tragi-comedy which would end with Brexit!

Adrian PARK

Séminaire

English

Spring 2024-2025

There will be one research essay to be written at home. This must include a bibliography as well as full footnotes. (45%) There will be a final exam during the last session of two hours. The students will answer two questions on prepared topics. (45%) A further 10% is available for oral contributions in class