Theme 2 Society in transition,

Task The following slides provide you with some key points to consider Build on these points using your class notes and the core textbook Complete essay questions for this theme. You can find a list on

Class and Social Values

Factors which had an impact on the class system, WW1 (Trench warfare, Generals) Great Depression Consumerism (1920s, 1950s, advertising) WW2 (Evacuation, rationing, the Blitz Spirit) Media (Satire boom, British New Wave, Televsion, Cinema) PM scandals (1920s, 1960s) Attitudes (Emergence of a Liberal Society, attitudes towards sex and relationships, Mary Whitehouse, NVALA, Lord Langford) Government Legislation (Sexual Offences Act, Obscene Publications Act) Consider the extent of change over time ( )

The changing role and status of women

1920s 1918 Representation of the People Act 1928 Representation of the People Act Women in employment dropped after WW1 Most working women worked in service Growth in clerical work led to growth in consumerism. Women could be single Some women started working in light manufacturing Unequal pay Some universities started to accept women 1919 Sex Disqualification Removal Act – women can enter the civil service profession Marriage bar existed Women expected to stay at home 1921 first birth control clinic in London then more spread across the country the Labour Party wanted to ban funding these clinics Flapper girls

1930s Marriage bar existed Women expected to stay at home 15 women MPs in 1931 but faced restrictions Labour party attracted most women Working class women impacted by the Great Depression. Greater freedoms for Middle-Class women 1937 Matrimonial Causes Act. Divorce was possible no matter who had been unfaithful. Opposed by the Catholic Church, supported by the public. Link to the 1936 abdication crisis 1930: – clinics were allowed to advise mothers about second pregnancies if it would damage their health. – Church of England allowed birth control. – Contraception advice allowed to married couples. Advice not given to working class women who were not covered by National Health Insurance

1940s Increased employment which led to better pay and new skills. They had oversees postings and increased importance Being split up during the war meant that many women were happy to return to the home 1944 the marriage bar starts to fade away, starting with teaching. However in the 40s and 50s some women wanted to give up work after marriage and older values remained Money was motivation for work in the 40s and 50s 1946 child benefit gave women control of money

1950s Unequal pay still prevalent 1958 the civil service introduced equal pay but no government legislation 1959 Labour put equal pay in their manifesto 50s, 60s and 70s there was prejudice in government. Thatcher became a minister for Finchley in 1959 Growth of the consumer society meant some women wanted work Advertising reinforced the housewife image

1960s 1965 the TUC said they would support equal pay 1960 The Housebound Housewives Register 1961 contraceptive pill 1967 abortion decriminalised

1970s 1970 Equal Pay Act (had been needed if Britain were to join the EEC). Came into effect in Sex Discrimination Act provided legal protection against discrimination. Tribunals were established Prejudice still existed 1968 Dagenham strike Second-wave feminism (women’s liberation): – Equal pay – Birth control – Objectification of women – Ending a male dominated society – Women’s liberation workshop Many women still saw their roles as wives and mothers Women became mothers for the first time older Protests against the Miss World Beauty contest Terrorist group, the Angry Brigade 1970 ‘The Female Eunuch’ published Refuges for domestic violence 1974 National Women’s Aid Federation. Campaigned for legislation against domestic violence 1976 the Domestic Violence and Matrimonial Proceedings Act. Injunctions against violence partners 1973 Rape crisis centre 1975 abortion reduced to 20 weeks

Race and Immigration

ActDetailImpact Alien Orders Act, 1920 Special Restrictions Act, 1925 Commonwealth Immigration Act, 1962 British Nationality Act, 1948 Race Relations Act, 1965 Commonwealth Immigration Act, 1968 Race Relations Act, 1968 The Immigration Act, 1971 Race Relations Act, 1976

1920s After the war there were attacks on people who were considered foreign by white British people Unions fought for the rights of white workers Unequal pay Colour bar The Communist Party of Great Britain fought against racism

1930s Racist violence during the Great Depression The International African Services Bureau fought racism League of Coloured People fought for equal rights in education

1940s Men from the colonies fought in WW2 or were employed in factories WW2 propaganda was discriminatory American army arrived in 1942 and segregated its troops Mass migration after WW2 – due to labour shortage Education was offered to ex-servicemen Government publicly rejected racism but did not outlaw it 1948 SS Windrush

1950s Growing economy meant their were more opportunities Growth of the entertainment business Attlee tried to discourage immigration Letters were sent to MPs against immigration Colour Bar 1958 Notting Hill Riots

1960s Public concern and the government blaming immigrants for crime led to restrictions on immigration Emergence of Black Power

1970s Black Panthers 1968 Enoch Powell gave his ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech. He was sacked 1975 the Met Police tried to shut down the Notting Hill Carnival