The National Government and political extremism Aims K: The threats posed by the Communist Party of Great Britain and the British Union of Fascists in the 1930s. U: Why these parties did not pose a greater threat and enjoy the kind of success their counterparts in Europe did. S: Comparison and explanation.

B1jy4vmFA Oswald Mosley

Political Extremism in the 1930s Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) British Union of Fascists (BUF) Committed to revolution and class war Inspired and supported by the Soviet Union Claimed to provide the working classes with a model for a more equal and progressive society Founded by Oswald Mosley in 1932 Inspired by Italian Fascism (and Mussolini) Fascism was an ideology based on a strong state, the cult of the leader and subordination of the individual to the national good Opposed democracy, liberalism and pacifism Hated Communism

Why did support for these parties grow in the 1930s? Reason 1: Economic/social Reason 2: Political Reason 3: International (The examples of European dictatorships)

Why did support for these parties grow in the 1930s? Reason 3: International (The examples of European dictatorships) Use pg 86 (AQA text) to bullet-point reason 3 on the table

Which party was the greatest threat? Study the evidence of success and failure for each party Decide which was the greatest threat and why

Why did political extremism have such a limited impact in Britain? The reasons and supporting evidence have been provided for you in the table You need to give explanations for each reason to answer the question above

Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Be ready to justify your answer Political extremism in Britain would not have grown if it wasn’t for the examples set by the European dictators

Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Be ready to justify your answer The BUF was far more powerful than the CPGB during the 1930s

Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Be ready to justify your answer The reason why political extremism never took hold in Britain had little to do with the National Government’s skill at dealing with the threat – the government was just lucky that events worked in their favour.