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Affluent society 1951-64 - Coggle Diagram
Affluent society 1951-64
Conservative governments
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Domestic policies
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Social reforms
the clean air act (1956) aimed to prevent the smog, housing and factory act aimed to improve living conditions, homicide act which stopped when the death penalty could be imposed
Housing
they promised to build 300,000 houses a year
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Economic developments
Post war boom
the global economy was booming which led to sustained trade overseas. economic growth and low unemployment bought rising wages. due to this there was a massive growth in consumerism. TV and car ownership skyrocketed. people felt more affluent and had a higher disposable income.
Stop-go policies
the growth of wages exceeded the the rate of production leading to inflation. they couldn't lower wages due to trade unions. so the government put controls in to control excessive spending
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Social developments
Rising living standards
Due to the new developments after the war, homeownership increased, food rationing ended in 1954, farmers did very well economically, car ownership increased
The position of women
in the 50s women were mainly seen as housewives. 75% of women were married and only 1 in 5 worked. there was a family allowance which was to ensure women didnt need to work.
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Class
Class loyalties were very strong 65% of the working class voted labour. 80% if the middle class voted Conservative. in the late 50s there were attitude shifts.
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Youth culture
in the 50s teens started a different youth culture they listened to different music and dressed different to there parents. the post war boom had increased the number of teenagers. they made up 10% of the population. they had lots of subcultures. the teddy boys were the most obvious one. they were linked to youth crime and juvenile delinquency.
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Foreign relations
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EEC
when this was first set up Britain didn't join because they didn't want to to ruin the relationship with america. they applied a few times but were rejected in 1961 because the french president Charles De Gaulle wanted Britain to break there relationship with America
Nuclear weapons
There was lots of Opposition towards nuclear weapons. CND wanted unilateral disarmament the group was mainly left wing
The Korean war
1950-53 north Korea invaded south Korea which was ruled by the USA. the United nations Condemned these actions and sent in troops. Britain sent in most troops behind the US. there was heavy fighting ending in a stalemate. it showed how willing Britain was to work with the US
Suez 1956
the Suez canal was used to get lots of imports from around the world. the Egyptian president nationalised the Suez canal as theirs after the decolonisation of Egypt. Eden decided to invade after Isreal attacked with France. they lost but the invasion caused lots of anger. this weakened britain as it made them look weak and that they relied on the US
Winds of change
Macmillan made a speech in cape town where he called for decolonisation and the recognition of independence groups
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