British society after WWII, 1945-1970
I can assess the extent to which the post-war period was a 'New Jerusalem' for people in Britain.
British society after WWII, 1945-1970
I can assess the extent to which the post-war period was a 'New Jerusalem' for people in Britain.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Clement Attlee talked of creating a 'New Jerusalem' and the new welfare state did improve quality of life for many.
- Key industries were nationalised, creating a mixed economy.
- Many groups, such as women and Caribbean migrants, still experienced significant discrimination.
- One's experience of life in post-war Britain depended on many aspects, including race, gender and class.
- A good assessment of post-war Britain will make a balanced case for its status as a 'New Jerusalem'.
Keywords
Nationalise - to transfer an industry or business from private to government ownership
New Jerusalem - the phrase used by Attlee to describe the equal and wealthy society that the post-war Labour government wished to create
Welfare state - a system in which the government protects the health and well-being of its citizens by providing grants, pensions and other benefits
Racism - prejudice or discrimination against a person on the basis of their race and ethnicity
Common misconception
Students might believe rationing ended when the Second World War ended in 1945.
Rationing continued in Britain until 1954.
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: British society after WWII, 1945-1970, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: British society after WWII, 1945-1970, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the Post-war Britain: for whom did the United Kingdom become a ‘New Jerusalem'? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
created the NHS, created the welfare state, inspired future government
charges for dentistry, rationing continued, everyone not included