Britain at war

What was the reason for Britain's sudden decline as a world power in the 20th century?

• Lazy workforce

• Lack of good managers

• Immigrants from old colonies

• All of the above

Answer explanation

Now, near the end of the century, Brirain has lost

much of its earlier self-confidence; but no one is

sure what the reasons for this are. Some argue that

the workforce is lazy, or that the trade unions are too powerful, or that there are not enough good

managers. Others blame the immigrants who have

sertled in Britain from the old colonies since the

Second World War. No one doubts that Britain is

living in an age of uncertainty.

What was the impact of the First World War on Britain's economy and society?

• Increased number of voters

• None of the above

• Decreased influence of the Labour Party

• Improved living conditions for all

Answer explanation

An important political development during th e war

was the rapid growth of the Labour Part y. Although

it was formally established in 1900, its beginnings

dated from 1874, as part of th e trade union

movement. The trade unions th emselves had grown

enormously, from two million members to five

million by 1914, and eight million by 1918. In that

year, for the first time , all men aged twenty-one

and some women over thirty were allowed to vote .

The number of voters doubled from eight to sixteen

million people, most of whom belonged to the

working class.

What was the main goal of the Labour Party in the early 20th century?

Answer explanation

The Labour Party, however, was not "socialist". Its leaders were, or had become, members of the middle classes. Instead of a social revolution, they wanted to develop a kind of socialism that would fit the situation in Britain.

What was the major achievement of the suffragettes in the early 20th century?

• Improved living conditions for women

• Increased female membership in trade unions

• Gained the right to vote for women over the age of 20

• None of the above

Answer explanation

In 1897 women started to demand the right to vote

in nationa l elections. Within ten years these

women, the "suffragettes", had become famous for

the extreme methods they were willing to use.

Many politicians who agreed with their aims were

shocked by their violent methods and stopped supporting them. However, if they had not been willing to shock the public, the suffragettes might not have succeeded.

What was the impact of the industrial revolution on women's rights in Britain?

• Women were forced to work like slaves in men's factories

• Increased respect for women in society

• Improved legal rights for women

• Decreased power of men

Answer explanation

The industrial revolut ion had increased the power of men, and th eir feelings about prope rty . Karl Marx noti ced th at the factory- owning Englishman's attitude of "chivalry" to women had not prevented them from forcing

women to work like slaves in the ir factories and workhouses.

What percentage of the total workforce of Britain was female by 1918?

• 55%

• 15%

• 29%

• 42%

Answer explanation

The war in 1914 changed everything. Britain would

have been unable to continue the war without the

women who took men's places in the factories. By

1918 29 per cent of the total workforce of Britain

was female.

Who was the British Prime Minister during the Dunkirk evacuation?

• Tony Blair

• Winston Churchill

• Neville Chamberlain

• Margaret Thatcher

Answer explanation

Few people rea lised how stro ng th e German army

was. In May 1940 it attacked, defeating the French

in a few days, and driv ing the British army into the

sea. At Dunkirk, a small French port, the British

army was saved by thousands of private boats which

crossed the English channel. Dunkirk was a miraculous rescue from military disaster, and Britain's new Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, persuaded the nation that it was a victory of courage and determination at Britain's darkest hour .

What event led to the British government delaying the introduction of home rule for Ireland in 1914?

• Women's lib movement

• Easter Rising

• Initially the Protestants' outcry against it

• German invasion of Ireland

Answer explanation

Before the beginning of the First World War the

British government had agreed to home rule for

Ireland. It was afraid, however, that the Protestants

in the north would start a civil war in Ulster if home rule was introduced. For this reason, when war began in 1914, the government delayed theintroduction of home rule, and called on Irishmen to join the army.

Which country invaded Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in 1935, leading to the failure of the League of Nations?

• France

• Japan

• Italy

• Germany

Answer explanation

Although the League did not forbid war, its members agreed to respect and preserve the borders and territory of all other members. But in 1935 Italy invaded Abyssinia

(Ethiopia) /ˌiːθiˈəʊpiə/, a fellow member of the League. Britain and France were anxious to win Italy's co-operation

against Hitler, who was illegally rearming Germany, and therefore decided against taking action against Italy as the rules of the League required them to do. This failure to use the League's authority had serious results.

Who famously declared 'we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds' during World War II?

• Adolf Hitler

• Winston Churchill

• Neville Chamberlain

• Benito Mussolini

Answer explanation

Although the army had lost almost all its weapons in France, Churchill told the nation there could be no thought of surrender or peace negotiation: "we shall defend our island, whateverthe cost may be, we sha ll fight on th e beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight on the

hills; we shall never surre nder . . . . until in God's

good time the New World, with all its power and

might, sets forth to the liberation and rescue of the

Old." And he offered his countrymen nothing but

"blood, toil, tears and sweat. "