British History: Key Policies, Economy, and Social Changes
What did the economy of the 1990s rely on? The economy was substantially deindustrialized. It relied for its wealth on: financial services, information technology, as well as tourism, culture, and leisure.
Blair’s Foreign Policy: A New Era of Interventionism
In terms of foreign policy, how can Blair’s office policy be defined? Blair leaned on his friendship with Bill Clinton (USA). In 1999, when British forces were fighting with America, Blair proclaimed a new generation of liberal humanitarian wars to justify that evil was being done. The old caution of foreign policy was being abandoned.
The interventionism went critical after 9/11, and Britain joined America in an attack on Kabul. Blair signed up to the war of Bush, culminating in a secret agreement to extend the Afghan counterattack into an unprovoked attack on Iraq.
The ‘Nanny State’ and Increased Government Intrusion
What does the author mean by ‘Nanny State’? It is an expression that refers to the fact that the government was more intrusive and more oppressive, like a nanny. The government tried to give too much advice about how people should live. There were events or concerts banned due to ‘health and safety’. Britain was credited with cameras and the highest spending on police and public safety.
Blair vs. Thatcher: A Comparison of Leadership Styles
When compared to Thatcher, what did Blair lack? Tony Blair was a poacher turned gamekeeper, opposing and then adopting the policies of Thatcher. While he mimicked the aggression of Thatcher abroad, he chose his wars unwisely. At home, he lacked her ability to make the government machine jump to prime ministerial command. He was in thrall to the right of voters much as his Labour processors had been in thrall to the trade unions.
The Tory-Dominated Coalition (2010): Main Concerns
Mention some of the main concerns of the new team, that is, the Tory-dominated coalition (2010).
- Establishing a five-year parliament, which was a rewriting of the constitution.
- Rescuing the public finances.
- Resuming the cut programs (1921, 1931, 1980) with 5 years of reductions covering every part of the public sector.
Deja Vu: Echoes of Thatcher’s Recession
‘British public life experienced a severe bout of deja vu’. It refers to the recession of the government of Thatcher. He confronted the recession in a very brutal way. Rather than cut taxes, they raised them and slashed Government spending. In the 1980 Budget, the chancellor also announced that benefits paid to the families of people who went on strike would be cut by £12 a week and made subject to tax. Government professed again a desire to decentralize power from London and reduce the scale and reach of the modern state. This led to a wide range of strikes and protests.
The Impact of World War I on the UK
How did the 1º World War affect the UK? There was disappointment and depression. There was also a serious economic crisis. The cost of the war led to an enormous increase in taxation. The demands of the war had led to a doubling in the size of the civil service and greater control of national life by the government. Just before the war, an outbreak of strikes had taken place and discontent led to a general strike by all workers.
New Liberal Governments and Social Change
How did New Liberal governments change life in Britain?
They provided free school meals to improve the health of the children. They also started an old age pensions scheme, because government should prevent old people from becoming homeless. In addition, Labour Exchanges were opened where those without work could look for jobs. Later, working people had to pay for ‘national insurances’ in order to help those who could not earn money. The new liberals started the Welfare State. By doing so, they made changes to capitalism. According to liberals, the government had the duty to protect the weak against the strong, even within capitalism.
Education Acts of 1870 and 1881
Education Acts In 1870 and 1881, two Education Acts were passed. It meant that all children had to go to school, up to the age of 13. There, they were taught reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Historical Features of 19th Century Ireland
Outline historical features of Ireland 19th c. In Ireland, a large number of Protestants turned to England as a protection against the Catholic inhabitants. However, to the Catholics, England was powerful in Ireland. So, for this reason, the conflict for Irish freedom from England became a conflict between Catholic and Protestant people. The first great victory for Irish freedom was when Catholics were allowed to become Members of Parliament.
Important Politicians of the 19th Century
Name some of the most important politicians in the 19th c.
Lord Canning, the Tory Foreign Secretary.
Lord Palmerston: he was a Tory but he became a liberal. He was Prime Minister twice.
William Gladstone: the liberal leader after the death of Palmerston.
Benjamin Disraeli: the new conservative leader.
Ireland in the 18th Century: A Divided Society
Describe the Situation of Ireland during the 18th c. With the victory of William of Orange in 1690, the Parliament in Dublin passed laws to prevent the Catholics from taking any part in national life. Although there were more Catholics than Protestants, they had become second-class citizens in their own land. By the 1770s, life had become easier and some laws were removed. However, not everybody wanted to give Catholics more freedom. For example, in Ulster (northern part of Ireland) Protestants formed the first ‘Orange Lodges’, societies against any freedom for the Catholics.