AQA · A-Level · History
Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017
Britain, c1851–1964 – The Great War and its impact, 1914–1939 (A-level…
Full specification wording
1G Challenge and transformation: Britain, c1851–1964 – The Great War and its impact, 1914–1939 (A-level only): The impact of war on British parties and politics: coalition government; the decline of the Liberals; position of Conservatives and influence of Labour
The First World War reshaped British politics, catalysing a transition to a Conservative-Labour duopoly.
Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 6
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The First World War reshaped British politics, catalysing a transition to a Conservative-Labour duopoly. Wartime unity necessitated Asquith's 1915 coalition, which fractured the Liberal Party following the 1916 crisis that elevated Lloyd George. This split proved fatal to Liberal electoral prospects. Conversely, the Conservatives used the coalition to rehabilitate their image as the party of patriotism, securing a dominant post-war position. Meanwhile, Labour's influence surged; coalition participation provided crucial ministerial experience for figures like Arthur Henderson, while expanded trade union membership and the 1918 franchise extension significantly broadened their working-class electoral base.
What earns the marks
- Explain the causes and consequences of the 1916 split between Asquith and Lloyd George for the Liberal Party.
- Assess how the Conservative Party benefited from the wartime coalition, particularly in demonstrating competence and patriotism.
- Evaluate the impact of the 1918 Representation of the People Act on the electoral fortunes of the Labour and Liberal parties.
- Analyse the significance of Labour's inclusion in the wartime coalition, focusing on Arthur Henderson's role and the party's growing credibility.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming the Liberal Party's decline was solely due to the First World War.
Put it right: Acknowledge pre-war structural issues and the rise of Labour, while identifying the war as the catalyst for the fatal split.
Assuming Labour immediately became the dominant party in 1918.
Put it right: Note that while Labour's influence grew significantly, the Conservatives were the primary electoral beneficiaries in the immediate post-war period.
Confusing the 1915 Asquith coalition with the 1916 Lloyd George coalition.
Put it right: Distinguish between the two, noting that the 1916 change in leadership was the specific trigger for the Liberal schism.
Exam tips
- Use the 1918 'Coupon Election' as a concrete example of how the coalition dynamics directly impacted post-war party fortunes.
- When discussing Labour's rise, link their political influence directly to the wartime growth in trade union membership and power.
- Avoid narrative descriptions of the war; focus strictly on how wartime events altered political party structures and voter demographics.
Try the lesson
The start of the 1G Challenge and transformation: Britain, c1851–1964 – The Great War and its impact, 1914–1939 (A-level only): The impact of war on British parties and politics: coalition government; the decline of the Liberals; position of Conservatives and influence of Labour lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which event during the First World War most significantly contributed to the formal split and subsequent decline of the Liberal Party?
Listen
The First World War reshaped British politics, catalysing a transition to a Conservative-Labour duopoly. Wartime unity necessitated Asquith's 1915 coalition, which fractured the Liberal Party following the 1916 crisis that elevated Lloyd George. This split proved fatal to Liberal electoral prospects. Conversely, the Conservatives used the coalition to rehabilitate their image as the party of patriotism, securing a dominant post-war position. Meanwhile, Labour's influence surged; coalition participation provided crucial ministerial experience for figures like Arthur Henderson, while expanded trade union membership and the 1918 franchise extension significantly broadened their working-class electoral base. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain the causes and consequences of the 1916 split between Asquith and Lloyd George for the Liberal Party. Assess how the Conservative Party benefited from the wartime coalition, particularly in demonstrating competence and patriotism. Evaluate the impact of the 1918 Representation of the People Act on the electoral fortunes of the Labour and Liberal parties. Analyse the significance of Labour's inclusion in the wartime coalition, focusing on Arthur Henderson's role and the party's growing credibility. A common slip: Claiming the Liberal Party's decline was solely due to the First World War. Instead, Acknowledge pre-war structural issues and the rise of Labour, while identifying the war as the catalyst for the fatal split. Exam tip: Use the 1918 'Coupon Election' as a concrete example of how the coalition dynamics directly impacted post-war party fortunes.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Asquith formed a wartime coalition government
- 2. Franchise extension broadened Labour's working-class electoral base
- 3. Crisis split the Liberals and elevated Lloyd George
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Coalition government
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Leadership crises
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Class and franchise
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Political realignment
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Coalition government
- Wartime unity necessitated Asquith's 1915 coalition, which fractured the Liberal Party following the 1916 crisis that elevated Lloyd George.
- Leadership crises
- The 1916 crisis elevated Lloyd George, and the resulting split between Asquith and Lloyd George proved fatal to Liberal electoral prospects.
- Class and franchise
- Expanded trade union membership and the 1918 franchise extension significantly broadened Labour's working-class electoral base.
- Political realignment
- The First World War reshaped British politics, catalysing a transition to a Conservative-Labour duopoly.
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