Cold War

Welton Toffee · February 21, 2010

Yup, it's another 'help Welts with his degree thread' I'm afraid!

I have to write an essay on 'What impact did the Cold War have on domestic politics in Britain c. 1945-90?'

Any ideas what I should be looking at lads? Also when it says 'domestic politics' does that mean I shouldn't be looking at foreign policy etc.??

cheers

davek · February 21, 2010

Domestically it cemented the post war compromise between the major parties based on support for a mixed economy and social welfarism/the social wage. The important thing for the ruling political class was to deny any space for the left to exploit - avoiding a complete capitualtion to the state (as per the bureacracies or *deformed worker states* of the east) or something far worse for them: a genuinely revolutionary party emerging. Thus you had Butskellism/Gaitskellism.

moyes_bringin_it_back · February 21, 2010

Welton Toffee said:
Yup, it's another 'help Welts with his degree thread' I'm afraid!

I have to write an essay on 'What impact did the Cold War have on domestic politics in Britain c. 1945-90?'

Any ideas what I should be looking at lads? Also when it says 'domestic politics' does that mean I shouldn't be looking at foreign policy etc.??

cheers

National security policy ?

Social policy ?

But I think mainly how the two main political parties arranged themselves

- maybe look at specific election campaigns in that time line for illustrations?

Certainly Winston Churchill gave a speech in the USA about the "iron curtain" and he had a hard time explaining to the Americans that Labour were socialists but not communists... in order to get financial aid for Britain after WW2 and Labour were in power.

although domestic communists did try / did infiltrate the party.

Gordon Brown the unelected PM was one. *correction* IS ONE.

davek · February 21, 2010

moyes_bringin_it_back said:
National security policy ?

Social policy ?

But I think mainly how the two main political parties arranged themselves

- maybe look at specific election campaigns in that time line for illustrations?

Certainly Winston Churchill gave a speech in the USA about the "iron curtain" and he had a hard time explaining to the Americans that Labour were socialists but not communists... in order to get financial aid for Britain after WW2 and Labour were in power.

although domestic communists did try / did infiltrate the party.

Gordon Brown the unelected PM was one. *correction* IS ONE.

Brown is a Communist?

moyes_bringin_it_back · February 21, 2010

davek said:
Brown is a Communist?

He was one of Michael Foot's disciples.

He used to turn up on Armistice Day / Rememberence Sunday - at the cenotaph wearing a dufflecoat

davek · February 21, 2010

moyes_bringin_it_back said:
He was one of Michael Foot's disciples.

He used to turn up on Armistice Day / Rememberence Sunday - at the cenotaph wearing a dufflecoat

That's evidence enough for me. :unsure:

Tennessee Blue Mike · February 21, 2010

moyes_bringin_it_back said:
National security policy ?

Social policy ?

But I think mainly how the two main political parties arranged themselves

- maybe look at specific election campaigns in that time line for illustrations?

Certainly Winston Churchill gave a speech in the USA about the "iron curtain" and he had a hard time explaining to the Americans that Labour were socialists but not communists... in order to get financial aid for Britain after WW2 and Labour were in power.

although domestic communists did try / did infiltrate the party.

Gordon Brown the unelected PM was one. *correction* IS ONE.

Well the ruskies were once termed USSR. Communist control with socialistic lip service.

chicoazul · February 21, 2010

Cuba made boss rum throughout it all and with it's super hot ladies was the place to be me, making behind the Iron Curtain altogether quite marvellous.

Ace beards too.

Mutzo Nutzo · February 21, 2010

chicoazul said:
Cuba made boss rum throughout it all and with it's super hot ladies was the place to be me, making behind the Iron Curtain altogether quite marvellous.

Ace beards too.

I think I love you x

chicoazul · February 21, 2010

Mutzo Nutzo said:
I think I love you x

blushes*

swoons*

Goat · February 21, 2010

TOMEL

TX Bill · February 21, 2010

Blame the Americans and you're guaranteed to get an A.

Whitebootman · February 22, 2010

I used to follow Russian submarines from the north atlantic to the med from time to time. Dull work most of the time. I hope this helps, if you get this into your essay let me know.

Mutzo Nutzo · February 22, 2010

Welton Toffee said:
Yup, it's another 'help Welts with his degree thread' I'm afraid!

I have to write an essay on 'What impact did the Cold War have on domestic politics in Britain c. 1945-90?'

Any ideas what I should be looking at lads? Also when it says 'domestic politics' does that mean I shouldn't be looking at foreign policy etc.??

cheers

Try this publication...it may give you an insight

The Labour Party, War and international relations 1945-2006 by Mark Phythian.
It certainly covers british domestic policy from a labour govt perspective during this period

Welton Toffee · February 24, 2010

Mutzo Nutzo said:
Try this publication...it may give you an insight

The Labour Party, War and international relations 1945-2006 by Mark Phythian.
It certainly covers british domestic policy from a labour govt perspective during this period

Thanks very much for that mate, had a quick flick through on Google books and it's got some useful stuff in so have reserved it from the library (y)