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Who was the first female Prime Minister of Britain?
Who was the first female Prime Minister of Britain?
What percentage of MPs were women in Britain in 1979?
What percentage of MPs were women in Britain in 1979?
What was Margaret Thatcher's political stance?
What was Margaret Thatcher's political stance?
What type of policies did John Major continue after Thatcher?
What type of policies did John Major continue after Thatcher?
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Why was devolution not enforced after the 1979 referendum?
Why was devolution not enforced after the 1979 referendum?
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What was the stance of the Conservative Party towards devolution?
What was the stance of the Conservative Party towards devolution?
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What was the background of Margaret Thatcher compared to her colleagues?
What was the background of Margaret Thatcher compared to her colleagues?
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How did the people of Scotland and Wales feel about Thatcher's free-market policies?
How did the people of Scotland and Wales feel about Thatcher's free-market policies?
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What was the primary reason some IRA leaders went on hunger strike?
What was the primary reason some IRA leaders went on hunger strike?
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What was the Anglo-Irish Agreement aimed at achieving?
What was the Anglo-Irish Agreement aimed at achieving?
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Which significant constitutional change was included in Ireland's 1936 constitution?
Which significant constitutional change was included in Ireland's 1936 constitution?
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How did the entry into the European Economic Community affect negotiations between Britain and the Republic of Ireland?
How did the entry into the European Economic Community affect negotiations between Britain and the Republic of Ireland?
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Who succeeded Margaret Thatcher and continued negotiations with Sinn Féin during the 1990s?
Who succeeded Margaret Thatcher and continued negotiations with Sinn Féin during the 1990s?
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How many individuals were reported to have died as a result of the conflict over a span of 30 years?
How many individuals were reported to have died as a result of the conflict over a span of 30 years?
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What inspired the radical economic policies introduced by Margaret Thatcher?
What inspired the radical economic policies introduced by Margaret Thatcher?
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What was the major step forward in addressing Protestant concerns regarding reunification?
What was the major step forward in addressing Protestant concerns regarding reunification?
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What happened to the profits made by organizations during this period?
What happened to the profits made by organizations during this period?
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What was a common consequence of the social policies in Scotland and Wales?
What was a common consequence of the social policies in Scotland and Wales?
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What was the main concern for Thatcher regarding Britain's EEC membership?
What was the main concern for Thatcher regarding Britain's EEC membership?
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What change occurred in the definition of unemployment during the 1980s?
What change occurred in the definition of unemployment during the 1980s?
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How did the proportion of Council House tenants purchasing their homes in Scotland compare to England?
How did the proportion of Council House tenants purchasing their homes in Scotland compare to England?
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What did Thatcher achieve in 1984 concerning Britain's contribution to the EEC?
What did Thatcher achieve in 1984 concerning Britain's contribution to the EEC?
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What can be said about British trade with the EEC?
What can be said about British trade with the EEC?
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What sentiment was growing among the populace of Scotland and Wales in the context of public services?
What sentiment was growing among the populace of Scotland and Wales in the context of public services?
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What was a significant impact of EEC membership on foreign direct investment in the UK?
What was a significant impact of EEC membership on foreign direct investment in the UK?
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What did Thatcher think of the new single market introduced in 1993?
What did Thatcher think of the new single market introduced in 1993?
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What type of regulations did the European Commission introduce in 1988?
What type of regulations did the European Commission introduce in 1988?
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What policy did Thatcher implement in London to encourage competitiveness?
What policy did Thatcher implement in London to encourage competitiveness?
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How did British GDP change in relation to the European average due to EEC membership?
How did British GDP change in relation to the European average due to EEC membership?
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What was Thatcher's response to the new social regulations proposed by Jacques Delors?
What was Thatcher's response to the new social regulations proposed by Jacques Delors?
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Which sector saw significant foreign investment due to the changes brought by EEC membership?
Which sector saw significant foreign investment due to the changes brought by EEC membership?
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What was the outlook of British companies after privatization in the context of the new single market?
What was the outlook of British companies after privatization in the context of the new single market?
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What was one of the main priorities of Margaret Thatcher during her time in office?
What was one of the main priorities of Margaret Thatcher during her time in office?
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Which sector initially underwent privatisation under Thatcher's government?
Which sector initially underwent privatisation under Thatcher's government?
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What happened to unemployment rates following Thatcher's monetary policies?
What happened to unemployment rates following Thatcher's monetary policies?
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How did privatisation typically affect worker employment in newly privatised companies?
How did privatisation typically affect worker employment in newly privatised companies?
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What was the reaction to the privatisation of essential public services like water and electricity?
What was the reaction to the privatisation of essential public services like water and electricity?
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Which privatisation was carried out under John Major in the mid-90s?
Which privatisation was carried out under John Major in the mid-90s?
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What strategy did Thatcher employ to reduce regulations on businesses?
What strategy did Thatcher employ to reduce regulations on businesses?
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What major change occurred in the Labour Party after Thatcher's privatisation policies?
What major change occurred in the Labour Party after Thatcher's privatisation policies?
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What social issues made Labour politicians enthusiastic about the EEC?
What social issues made Labour politicians enthusiastic about the EEC?
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What was the primary reason Thatcher opposed joining the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM)?
What was the primary reason Thatcher opposed joining the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM)?
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What major treaty did John Major negotiate after coming to power?
What major treaty did John Major negotiate after coming to power?
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What 'opt-out' negotiated by Major specifically concerned?
What 'opt-out' negotiated by Major specifically concerned?
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What significant event occurred in September 1992 regarding the ERM?
What significant event occurred in September 1992 regarding the ERM?
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What role did UKIP have in the political landscape during the early 90s?
What role did UKIP have in the political landscape during the early 90s?
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What was the reason behind Labour's increasing support for European integration?
What was the reason behind Labour's increasing support for European integration?
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How did the Conservative Party respond to divisions caused by Thatcher's stance?
How did the Conservative Party respond to divisions caused by Thatcher's stance?
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Study Notes
Margaret Thatcher and John Major
- Thatcher was the first female Prime Minister of Britain (1979-1990)
- From a middle-class background, she was often viewed as an outsider
- Supported free-market principles, emphasizing individual responsibility and less government intervention.
- John Major succeeded Thatcher (1990-1997)
- Major had a less authoritarian style compared to Thatcher
Regional Institutions in the 1980s and 1990s (Scotland & Wales)
- Referendum on devolution in 1979 failed to gain majority support.
- Conservatives, the unionist party, campaigned against devolution, prioritizing the unity of the UK.
- Growing North-South economic divide influenced political leaning in Scotland and Wales, leading to increasing support for Labour.
- Scotland elected 72 MPs in the 1987 elections, with 50 from Labour.
- Wales elected 38 MPs in 1987, with 24 from Labour.
- Conservative government legitimacy questioned in Scotland and Wales due to support for Labour.
- New devolution schemes considered by Labour in response.
- Scotland established a constitutional convention to create a comprehensive devolution plan, including political organizations, trade unions, and Christian groups
- Labour's efforts in Wales
- Devolution was seen as a means to achieve more autonomy, not an end in itself.
- Scottish/Welsh independence parties (SNP, Plaid Cymru) opposed devolution, advocating for full separation from the UK
- Aimed to integrate into the European Union
Northern Ireland
- Continued civil unrest and violence (e.g., IRA bombings)
- Attempts to find a peaceful solution through political agreements, including the Anglo-Irish Agreement (1985).
- Talks and agreements took place with Sinn Féin
- Involvment of Irish Republic and American politicians
- Violence declined after 1990s
- Issue of weapons was involved in the negotiations
- Northern Ireland still faced significant political challenges throughout this period (violence, civil war, abolition of devolution)
Free-Market Economic Policies
- Thatcher's government introduced radical changes to the British economy, emphasizing free-market principles.
- Privatized many state-owned corporations (e.g., British Airways, British Telecoms).
- Deregulated financial services, creating a more competitive market for the City of London.
- Reduced government spending on some social programs.
- Increased privatization and deregulation created economic benefits for Britain
- Raised interest rates in response to inflation but led to unemployment
- Reduced support for struggling industries in the manufacturing sector
- Discontent emerged in regions heavily reliant on those industries
- North-South divide widened
Free-Market Social Policies
- Encouraged individuals to use private services, impacting the NHS and education.
- Implemented national curriculum in schools (and new tests at age 7 and 11) for the first time in the UK
- Created competition within the NHS and State Schools.
- Increased access to private housing options by encouraging home ownership.
- Controversial policies in education and housing generated resistance and social tension.
Britain in the EEC/EU
- Thatcher was initially enthusiastic about EEC membership.
- She focused on reducing British contributions to the EU budget.
- Britain played an influential role in the EEC/EU, leading to its subsequent enlargement.
- Concerns for the financial burden of EU membership and social regulations that came with European integration were debated.
- Britain joined the Exchange Rate Mechanism with the EU in 1990, aiming to reduce fluctuation in currency exchange rates.
- Left the Exchange Rate Mechanism in 1992
- Signed the Maastricht Treaty (1993), leading to the UK's position on the Euro.
- Emergence of a new party advocating for Britain to leave the EU, UKIP (1990s)
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Description
Explore the political landscape of the UK during the 1980s and 1990s through the leadership of Margaret Thatcher and John Major. This quiz delves into their policies, regional institutions, and the evolving political dynamics in Scotland and Wales. Test your knowledge of this transformative era in British history.
