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The Labour government elected in 1945 brought in the welfare state and the NHS.

Britain: British Society 1931-1951 - The 1945 General Election

Test your knowledge of the 1945 election, Labour's victory and how it helped shape post-war Britain through promises of welfare, housing, work and national recovery.

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Fascinating Fact:

The Labour Party promised major social reforms after the war. Its programme was influenced by the Beveridge Report and the idea of tackling the “five giants” such as Want and Disease.

In GCSE History, this topic focuses on the 1945 General Election and why Labour defeated Churchill's Conservatives. You look at wartime experiences, public attitudes to social reform and the impact of the Beveridge Report. The course also examines party promises on housing, health and employment, and how these appealed to voters after years of depression and war. By analysing sources and interpretations, you explore why 1945 became a turning point in British politics.

Key Terms

Beveridge Report: A 1942 government report that proposed tackling the “five giants” of Want, Disease, Ignorance, Squalor and Idleness through welfare reforms.
Welfare State: A system in which the government takes responsibility for citizens' basic needs, such as health care, education and income support.
Landslide Victory: An election result where one party wins by a very large margin in seats compared to its opponents.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

Why did Labour win the 1945 general election?

Labour won in 1945 because many voters wanted social reform, better housing and secure jobs after the war. Labour's programme seemed more likely than the Conservatives to deliver lasting change.

What was the importance of the 1945 general election for Britain?

The 1945 election was important because it led to the creation of the modern welfare state, including the NHS and new social security measures that reshaped life in post-war Britain.

How did World War Two influence the result of the 1945 general election?

World War Two highlighted social inequalities and the need for planning. Wartime controls and shared sacrifice convinced many people that strong government action could improve living conditions permanently.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

What was the main significance for Labour, which achieved an overall majority in the Commons of 146 votes?

It gave the opportunity for a third Labour government

It was the first time that the Labour Party was in a position to form a majority government

Labour had won, for the first time, a majority of the votes cast

Labour polled extremely well among servicemen, most of whom voted for them

Tories blamed the Army Bureau of Current Affairs for indoctrinating servicemen against the Tories and in favour of the Labour Party

2 .

When had the previous general election taken place?

1931

1935

1939

1933

There had been an electoral truce during the war, so it was hard to predict the eventual result

3 .

Which Tory figure claimed that, if Labour won, Britain would experience a "Gestapo"?

Churchill

Eden

Beaverbrook

Chamberlain

This excessive remark no doubt did the Tories much harm

4 .

Which of the following promises was not made by Labour during the 1945 campaign?

Full employment

A National Health Service

A welfare state

Free housing for all

Labour made sweeping promises in domestic policy, which were not matched in the Tory manifesto

5 .

Which 1942 report did Churchill refuse to endorse in the 1945 campaign?

The Butler Report

The Bevin Report

The Beveridge Report

The Morrison Report

Beveridge proposed a welfare state, something the conservatives opposed

6 .

Why was the election result delayed for several days?

There was a lack of trained staff to supervise the poll and count the votes cast

Counting the votes of far flung rural and island constituencies took a long time

There was a widely spread service vote

There were difficulties in interpreting the votes cast by inexperienced voters (e.g. many women) who had not voted before

The electorate was huge - the largest ever. It included many servicemen, especially in the Far East, where the war against Japan continued into August 1945. The election took place in July

7 .

Which of the following Labour figures had not served in Churchill's war cabinet?

Attlee

Foot

Bevin

Morrison

Several Labour politicians gained very useful cabinet experience by serving in Churchill's wartime coalition

8 .

What was the turnout in the 1945 election?

90%

72.8%

63.7%

54%

There were huge difficulties in registering all those who had the right to vote

9 .

Which of the following industries was not listed in the 1945 Labour manifesto as targeted for public ownership (nationalisation)?

Electricity

Coal mining

Iron and steel

Banking

Labour intended the government to take over a number of industries, either because they were monopolies or because they were owned by a small group of very rich men

10 .

What was Labour's share of the votes cast?

48.8%

51.9%

53.1%

55.6%

Labour benefited more than the Tories from the "First past the Post" system, while the Liberals - formerly in the coalition - lost out

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Depression, war and recovery, 1930-1953

Author: Edward Towne