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Year 9

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.

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New
New
Year 9

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.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Clement Attlee talked of creating a 'New Jerusalem' and the new welfare state did improve quality of life for many.
  2. Key industries were nationalised, creating a mixed economy.
  3. Many groups, such as women and Caribbean migrants, still experienced significant discrimination.
  4. One's experience of life in post-war Britain depended on many aspects, including race, gender and class.
  5. A good assessment of post-war Britain will make a balanced case for its status as a 'New Jerusalem'.

Common misconception

Students might believe rationing ended when the Second World War ended in 1945.

Rationing continued in Britain until 1954.

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

Teachers could spend some time explaining why rationing was still needed after WW2 and how it helped Labour to control the economy. Teachers might also look at the promise made by the Conservatives to end rationing in the 1951 election and why this was popular.
Teacher tip

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

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).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which term describes when there are not enough workers to meet demand?
Correct Answer: labour shortage, labour shortages, a labour shortage
Q2.
Complete the sentence: The arrived in Britain in June 1948, carrying many Caribbean migrants on board.
Correct Answer: Empire Windrush, 'Empire Windrush'
Q3.
Who was Daphne Steel?
The first black person to become mayor in Britain
The first black person to become a police officer in Britain
The first black person to become a headteacher in Britain
Correct answer: The first black person to become a matron in Britain
Q4.
What was the significance of the 1948 British Nationality Act?
Correct answer: It made migration from Commonwealth countries easier.
It made migration from European Union countries easier.
Correct answer: It gave Commonwealth and imperial citizens the right to live in the UK.
It gave European Union citizens the right to live in the UK.
Q5.
What was created in 1959 as a way of celebrating Caribbean culture and improving relations within multicultural communities in Britain?
the Museum for Migrant Contributions
the ‘Windrush generation’ statue
the Race Relations Act
the Notting Hill Carnival
Q6.
Which of the following were reasons why many people living in the British Empire were attracted to settling in the UK post-WW2?
Correct answer: The partition of India led to 20 million refugees.
The partition of the Caribbean led to 20 million refugees.
Correct answer: British underdevelopment of their colonies in the Caribbean.
Correct answer: Imperial soldiers had been stationed in Britain during WW2.
The UK government had promised imperial soldiers resettlement opportunities.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which term describes transferring an industry or business from private to government ownership?
Correct Answer: nationalise, nationalisation
Q2.
Complete the sentence: was the phrase used by Clement Attlee to describe the equal and wealthy society that the post-war Labour government wished to create.
Correct Answer: New Jerusalem
Q3.
Which of the following groups in British society did not experience the equal and wealthy society that the post-war Labour aimed for?
Correct answer: women
Correct answer: immigrants
white men
children
Q4.
Why was continued rationing post-WW2 actually better for the poorest in society?
It decreased their support for the Labour government.
Correct answer: They were able to have a fairer share of food.
It was more expensive for the middle-classes.
Correct answer: They were able to get access to more nutritious food.
Q5.
How many houses did the Labour government build post-WW2?
1 million
Correct answer: 1.2 million
4 million
4.5 million
Q6.
Match the evidence to whether or not Labour did achieve their goal post-WW2.
Correct Answer:Did achieve ‘New Jerusalem’,created the NHS, created the welfare state, inspired future government

created the NHS, created the welfare state, inspired future government

Correct Answer:Did not achieve ‘New Jerusalem’,charges for dentistry, rationing continued, everyone not included

charges for dentistry, rationing continued, everyone not included

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