New
New
Year 6

The ways in which Britain changed after the Second World War

I can explain why the two decades following the Second World War were a turning point in British history.

New
New
Year 6

The ways in which Britain changed after the Second World War

I can explain why the two decades following the Second World War were a turning point in British history.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Britain changed in a number of ways following the Second World War; most of these were permanent and major changes.
  2. Diversity increased with the arrival of the Windrush Generation, although many migrants faced a lot of discrimination.
  3. Changing technology was a turning point in the lives of some women and many British households.
  4. A great deal of social and cultural change took place with the influence of the 'Baby Boomer' generation.
  5. A good explanation of why this period was a turning point in British history will use knowledge from across this unit.

Keywords

  • Turning point - a turning point in history is an idea, event, or action that leads to permanent change

  • Ethnic diversity - ethnic diversity refers to many people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds

  • Discrimination - discrimination means treating someone unfairly because of things such as age, skin colour, or religious beliefs

  • Baby Boomers - the generation born just after the Second World War are known as Baby Boomers

Common misconception

That a turning point is a temporary change.

A turning point is usually a major, decisive and permanent change.

Pupils could begin in groups with A3 paper and list as many changes as they can remember from this unit.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What happens during a baby boom?
Correct answer: a large increase in the number of babies born
the same number of babies are born
a large decrease in the number of babies born
Q2.
Select all the new fashions that became popular in the 1960s.
Correct answer: miniskirts
Correct answer: bright flowers
Correct answer: slim-fitting suits
long dresses
Q3.
Which street in London was the most famous for shopping in the 1960s?
Correct answer: Carnaby Street
Regent Street
Oxford Street
Q4.
‘The Beatles’, ‘The Rolling Stones’ and ‘The Who’ are all examples of…
British street names
Correct answer: British music bands
British films
Q5.
The Baby Boomer generation had more money and more freedom than their parents' generation.
Correct answer: True
False
Q6.
The Beatles were a very popular British in the 1960s.
Correct Answer: band, Band, music band

6 Questions

Q1.
Complete the sentence: A turning point in history is an idea, event or action that leads to change.
Correct Answer: permanent, Permanent
Q2.
In 1948, the government introduced free healthcare for everyone in Britain. This is known as the...
Correct Answer: NHS, nhs, National Health Service, national health service
Q3.
Which statements are true about the Windrush Generation in Britain?
Correct answer: They faced discrimination.
Correct answer: They became British citizens.
Correct answer: They were often overcharged for poor housing.
They all arrived on the 22nd of June 1948.
Q4.
Select all the options that were permanent changes in the years after the Second World War.
Correct answer: More women took on part-time paid jobs.
Correct answer: Fashion and music became popular in the 1960s.
Ethnic diversity decreased in Britain.
Correct answer: Electrical appliances were invented to save time at home.
Correct answer: ethnic diversity increased in Britain
Q5.
What is the name given to the generation that were born at the end of the Second World War?
Correct Answer: Baby Boomers, Baby Boomer, baby boomers
Q6.
In the 1950s, new technology was developed to make tasks at home easier. These were known as...
radios
TVs
Correct answer: domestic appliances
cars