History 4486. Modern Britain: The Twentieth Century

Fall Semester 2016. Final Examination

Do All Three Sections--Both Sides. Those who take the full time allotted generally write better essays. You may do the sections in any order. Please leave quietly, and shut the door gently.

Section I. Answer one of the following two questions (50 minutes):

Why did the abdication crisis of the 1930s lead to such intense interest among the British public, and such a polarization of public opinion? What were the issues at stake? What do you think of the way it was resolved?

World War II in Britain is sometimes referred to as “Labour’s War”. In terms of the conduct of the war, and its immediate consequences, does that label make sense? Make a case for and against.

During the course of de-colonization in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, and the foundation of the British Commonwealth of Nations, many people in Britain congratulated themselves on a relatively peaceful process. In many parts of the world, though, de-colonization was accompanied by widespread popular violence, civil war, and colonial repression. What were the conditions under which de-colonization was relatively peaceful or violent, and why?

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these three political leaders: David Lloyd George, Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher

Both the National Government of the 1930s and the Conservative governments of the 1950s governed Britain on the basis of broad public support. Compare and contrast the nature of the political consensus of the 1930s with that of the 1950s (keeping in mind that there were some dissenters).

Identify the most important changes in the status of women in Great Britain since 1910, and explain why you think those changes are important.

Often the post-war memory of a war has as much influence on history as the direct impact of war. Compare and contrast the post-war evaluations of World War I and World War II in Great Britain, and discuss the consequences of those evaluations.

How do you explain the relative political success of the Conservative Party in the twentieth century?

Section II. Answer one of the following two questions (50 minutes):

From the late 1960s until the 1990s, the Labour Party appeared to be in a permanent state of internal conflict. What were the issues that divided the party, and why was it so difficult for successive party leaders (name at least some of them) to achieve party unity?

Why was Harold Wilson, who was very good at winning elections, unable to put together a stable Labour party majority in parliament?

How would you evaluate in a comparative way the achievements of Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair? Focus on public policy and the economy rather than party politics.

How have the people of Great Britain managed the challenges of devolution, multi-culturalism, and integration into (and resistance to) the European Union? What are the prospects of maintaining a sense of British national identity under those circumstances?

Many people regard the 1960s as a fundamental turning point in British history. Evaluate the arguments for and against that point of view, paying attention to continuity as well as change.

Many people regard the administration of Margaret Thatcher as a fundamental turning point in British history. Evaluate the arguments for and against that point of view, paying attention to continuity as well as change.

Why have a growing number of voters in Britain since the 1950s voted for the Liberal Party (and its allies) in the full knowledge that their candidate would probably not win the seat, and that the Liberals were unlikely to be able to form a government?

Section III (20 minutes):

Briefly identify explain the significance of five of the following eight (4 minutes each should be enough):

Clause IV

The Sun

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

NATO

“Bomber” Harris

Education Act of 1944

Vera Lynn

Beveridge Report

Eleanor Rathbone

Lord Mountbatten

Hugh Gaitskell

Mary Quant

Wolfenden Report

Poll Tax

Arthur Scargill