To What Extent Did Britain Become a More Equal Society Between 1951 and 1990?
“Britain a more equal society 1951-1990”
Introduction:
Between 1951 and 1990 Britain has been going through 12 different governments, 8 were Conservative governments and 4 were Labour governments. These successive governments have brought great changes to British society, always trying to better their country. But has Britain become a more equal society since then? Did the successive governments succeed in creating a society that maximises each and every individual's chances of happiness and fulfilment; that offers each individual the same rights and the same chances without any differences such as race, religion or sex being considered?
From 1951
After 1951, the Conservatives led the nation towards renewed prosperity and finally put an end to austerity.
Britons had never had such a high standard of living which spread throughout nearly all the social classes (upper/middle/working);
The value of the goods workers could buy with their wage increased by 40%;
The emergence of cheap air travel put an end to the monopoly of air travel by upper-classes;
Working women became more numerous;
End of housing crisis (rich-poor gap narrowed)
From 1964
Britain was changing form an industrial economy to a post-industrial economy. Manufacturing industries were shrinking while the service, finance and research industries were expanding. The transition wasn’t smooth or consistent and so caused considerable social disruption.
Problems in Northern Ireland: N. Ireland was and is still part of Britain. It has a majority of Protestants vs. a minority of Catholics. For many years, the Protestants have been winning majorities. In 1968 N. Ireland’s Catholic minority launched a series of protests against discrimination in employment and housing.
Multi-cultural society: During the 1950s, shortage of labour encouraged migration from the Caribbean and the Indian subcontinent (India + Pakistan + Bangladesh). Immigration ran at about 14,000 a year during the 50s. 1961: large
Introduction:
Between 1951 and 1990 Britain has been going through 12 different governments, 8 were Conservative governments and 4 were Labour governments. These successive governments have brought great changes to British society, always trying to better their country. But has Britain become a more equal society since then? Did the successive governments succeed in creating a society that maximises each and every individual's chances of happiness and fulfilment; that offers each individual the same rights and the same chances without any differences such as race, religion or sex being considered?
From 1951
After 1951, the Conservatives led the nation towards renewed prosperity and finally put an end to austerity.
Britons had never had such a high standard of living which spread throughout nearly all the social classes (upper/middle/working);
The value of the goods workers could buy with their wage increased by 40%;
The emergence of cheap air travel put an end to the monopoly of air travel by upper-classes;
Working women became more numerous;
End of housing crisis (rich-poor gap narrowed)
From 1964
Britain was changing form an industrial economy to a post-industrial economy. Manufacturing industries were shrinking while the service, finance and research industries were expanding. The transition wasn’t smooth or consistent and so caused considerable social disruption.
Problems in Northern Ireland: N. Ireland was and is still part of Britain. It has a majority of Protestants vs. a minority of Catholics. For many years, the Protestants have been winning majorities. In 1968 N. Ireland’s Catholic minority launched a series of protests against discrimination in employment and housing.
Multi-cultural society: During the 1950s, shortage of labour encouraged migration from the Caribbean and the Indian subcontinent (India + Pakistan + Bangladesh). Immigration ran at about 14,000 a year during the 50s. 1961: large