Mike Wells
OCR
A LEVEL
BRITAIN
1846–1951
Liberals, Conservatives and
the Rise of Labour 1846–1900
England and a New Century 1900–1918
Britain c1918–51
This is an OCR endorsed resource
1846–1918 Contents
Introduction
British Period Study: Liberals, Conservatives and the Rise of Labour 1846–
1902
Gateway: Britain in 1846
Chapter 1: Whigs to Liberals
What impact did the Repeal of the Corn Laws have on party politics?
How important were the Radicals and Palmerston and Gladstone in the emergence of the
Liberal Party?
To what extent was the development of the Liberal Party the product of changing economic
and social conditions in Britain in the mid-19th century?
How important were the 1848 Revolutions and the Don Pacifico affair in British political life?
How significant was the impact of the Crimean War and Italian Unification on Britain and the
development of Liberalism?
Historical debate:
Study skills: Understanding the wording of the question and planning an answer
Chapter 2: Gladstonian Liberalism
What was distinctive about the ideas of Gladstonian Liberalism?
How had Gladstone’s policies in office before 1868 reflected his ideas on free trade, laissez
faire and administrative competence?
What explains Gladstone’s attitude to foreign policy and how important was it 1859-1874?
Why did Gladstone come to believe that his ‘mission was to pacify Ireland’ by 1868 and how
successful were his Irish policies in government 1868-1874?
Why did Gladstone’s ministry of 1968-74 pursue such an extended programme of domestic
reforms and how successful were they in achieving their aims?
What was the appeal of the ideas and policies of Gladstonian Liberalism to different social
groups?
How far did Gladstone deserve the nickname ‘The People’s William’?
How far did the achievements of Gladstonian Liberalism depend on Gladstone’s colleagues?
Why was Gladstone defeated in the election of 1874?
Historical debate: Gladstone as visionary or Gladstone as politician?
Study skills: Writing an introduction and avoiding irrelevance
Chapter 3: Disraelian Conservatism
What was distinctive about the political qualities of Disraeli and why was he often
mistrusted?
How serious was the impact of the defeat of Peel on Disraeli and the Conservative Party?
How effective was the leadership of Derby?
What explains Disraeli’s views on Constitutional reform?
What were the aims of the 1867 Reform Act and what was its political significance?
Why did Disraeli lose the 1868 Election?
What characterized Disraelian Conservatism by 1874?
How effective and coherent were the domestic reforms of Disraeli’s government 18741880?
What did the foreign and imperial policies of Disraeli’s government of 1874-1880 achieve?
What did the policies of Disraeli’s government 1874-1880 owe to his colleagues?
Why did Disraeli lose the election of 1880?
Historical debate:
Study skills: Avoiding descriptive answers, writing analytically, the crucial opening sentence
of each paragraph
Chapter 4: Late Victorian politics: Gladstone and Salisbury until 1902
How substantial were the achievements of Gladstone’s later ministries?
Ireland?
What was Gladstone’s impact on Victorian politics?
How substantial were the achievements of Salisbury’s ministries?
Liberal unionism
What were the causes of the Boer War?
What was the significance of the Boer War?
Historical debate:
Study skills: Writing a conclusion and overall essay writing
Enquiry Topic: England and a New Century c.1900–1918
Gateway: What were the significant characteristics of England in 1900?
Chapter 5: Political issues c.1900–1914
What were the characteristics of England in 1900?
How successfully did the Conservative government deal with the problems that it faced at
home and abroad from 1902 to 1905?
Why did the Liberals win the 1906 election with such a large majority?
What were the origins of the Labour Party and why did it grow from 1893 to 1914?
How did Trade Unions deal with the challenges faced from 1893 to 1914 and what were the
features of industrial unrest during this period?
What were the causes and significance of the Constitutional Crisis of 1909-11 and what were
its results?
Why did the issue of Women’s Suffrage become so prominent from 1906-1914 and how
serious a threat to stability was it?
Why did Ireland become such a problem for the British government from 1910-1914 and
how well did it deal with Irish issues?
Study Skills: Understanding sources and how they relate to an issue
Chapter 6: Social Issues 1900–1918
Why there were debates about poverty and concerns for national efficiency and what was
their significance in bringing about changes in social policy 1900-1914?
Were the ideas of new liberalism important in affecting the Liberal Government’s treatment
of social issues 1905-14?
How far did government legislation help young people 1900-1918?
Why were Old Age Pensions introduced and what impact did they have?
Why was national insurance introduced and what was its importance as a social policy?
How successful were measures taken to protect workers 1900-1918?
Study Skills: Evaluating a series of sources
Chapter 7: Britain at war 1914–1918
Why were there different attitudes to war?
How great an impact on British social and economic life did the War on the Home Front
have?
Why was there a coalition government in 1915 and why did Lloyd George become prime
minister in 1916?
What were the origins and significance of the splits in the Liberal Party by 1918?
What impact did the war have on the development of the Labour Party and the Constitution
of 1918?
How significant were the changes in the role of women during the war and how far did those
changes lead to the extension of the franchise to women in 1918?
Study Skills: Assessing and evaluating a set of sources
British Period Study: Britain c.1918–1951
Chapter 8: British politics 1918–1929
What were the reasons for the outcome of the 1918 election?
How successful were the policies of the Lloyd George coalition 1918 to 1922?
Why did Lloyd George fall from power?
What was the significance of the 1923 election?
What were the aims and achievements of the 1924 Labour government and why did it fall?
Why did the Liberal Party decline by 1924?
What accounts for the Conservative recovery by 1924 and how successful were their policies
1924-29?
Why was the franchise extended in 1928?
Why did Labour take office again in 1929?
Historical debate: The reputation of Lloyd George
Study skills: Understanding the wording of the question and planning an answer
Chapter 9: British domestic politics 1929–1939
How successful was Labour’s domestic policy 1929-31?
How well did Philip Snowden as Chancellor of the Exchequer deal with the economic
problems facing Britain 1929-31?
How effective was MacDonald as a Labour leader 1929-31
Why was a National government formed in 1931?
How ‘national’; was it and what was its political impact?
How significant for Britain was the Abdication Crisis of 1936?
What led to the growth of political extremism in Britain and why was it not more effective in
gaining power and support?
What impact did foreign affairs have on British politics 1929-39?
How did the leadership style of the three National Prime Ministers differ and how effective
was each as a national leader?
Historical debate:
Study skills: Writing an introduction and avoiding irrelevance
Chapter 10: Economic issues 1918–1939
How seriously did the First World War affect economic conditions after 1918?
What was the significance of the problems of the staple industries?
What caused the General Strike of 1926?
Why did the General Strike fail?
How seriously did the Great Depression affect Britain?
What caused unemployment in the 1930s and how serious and widespread a problem was
it?
How well did the National Governments deal with economic problems?
How effective were the social policies followed 1931-9 by the National Government?
What was the cause, nature and extent of economic recovery after 1931?
Historical Debate:
Study skills: Avoiding descriptive answers, writing analytically, the crucial opening sentence
of each paragraph
Chapter 11: Domestic politics 1940–1951
Why did Winston Churchill replace Neville Chamberlain as prime minister in 1940?
How far did the war affect key elements of British society and the economy? (With reference
to: food, the role of women, industry, health and housing)
What was the significance of wartime plans and measures to improve post-war Britain?
Why did Labour win the election of 1945?
How radical were Labour’s post-war domestic reforms?
How well did Attlee and his government deal with domestic problems 1945-51?
What best explains the election results of 1950 and 1951 and the return to power of the
Conservatives?
Historical debate:
Study skills: Writing a conclusion and overall essay writing
Revise, Review, Reflect: Liberals, Conservatives and the Rise of Labour 1846–1918 and Britain
c.1918–1951
Revise, Review Reflect: England and a New Century c.1900–1918
Glossary
Index