AQA · A-Level · History
Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017
Britain in Transition, 1906–1957 – 'Never had it so good'? 1951–1957…
Full specification wording
2M Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906–1957 – 'Never had it so good'? 1951–1957 (A-level only): Social and cultural developments: rising living standards; the impact of affluence and consumerism; changing social attitudes and behaviour; class and 'the Establishment', the position of women
Between 1951 and 1957, Britain experienced a post-war boom leading to rising living standards, famously captured by Macmillan's 'never had it so good' speech.
Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Between 1951 and 1957, Britain experienced a post-war boom leading to rising living standards, famously captured by Macmillan's 'never had it so good' speech. The impact of affluence and consumerism transformed daily life, with increased home ownership and the purchase of televisions and washing machines on hire purchase. This prosperity spurred changing social attitudes and behaviour, fostering a more youth-oriented culture and early signs of deference breaking down. However, class divisions remained entrenched, and 'the Establishment' continued to dominate politics and the media. Meanwhile, the position of women saw limited change; despite some entering the workforce, societal expectations largely confined them to domestic roles as housewives, reinforced by the very consumer goods designed to ease domestic labour.
What earns the marks
- Identify indicators of rising living standards, such as increased wages, housing developments, and the end of rationing in 1954.
- Explain the impact of consumerism, noting the proliferation of hire purchase agreements for cars, televisions, and white goods.
- Analyse changing social attitudes, including the emergence of youth culture and early challenges to traditional deference.
- Evaluate the enduring power of 'the Establishment' and the rigid class system despite growing economic equality.
- Assess the position of women, contrasting the idealised 1950s housewife with the gradual increase in female part-time employment.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming the social revolution of the 1960s began in the early 1950s.
Put it right by emphasising that 1951-1957 remained largely conservative and deferential.
Claiming women experienced massive liberation due to consumer goods.
Put it right by noting that these goods often reinforced traditional domestic roles.
Equating rising affluence with the complete eradication of poverty.
Put it right by acknowledging that regional disparities and inner-city deprivation persisted.
Exam tips
- Use specific statistics, such as the surge in television ownership or car registrations, to substantiate claims about consumerism.
- Contrast Macmillan's optimistic rhetoric with the underlying social rigidities regarding class and gender to build a nuanced argument.
- Link the end of rationing to the psychological boost in social attitudes and the subsequent consumer boom.
Try the lesson
The start of the 2M Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906–1957 – 'Never had it so good'? 1951–1957 (A-level only): Social and cultural developments: rising living standards; the impact of affluence and consumerism; changing social attitudes and behaviour; class and 'the Establishment', the position of women lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following was a primary driver of the consumer boom in Britain between 1951 and 1957?
Listen
Between 1951 and 1957, Britain experienced a post-war boom leading to rising living standards, famously captured by Macmillan's 'never had it so good' speech. The impact of affluence and consumerism transformed daily life, with increased home ownership and the purchase of televisions and washing machines on hire purchase. This prosperity spurred changing social attitudes and behaviour, fostering a more youth-oriented culture and early signs of deference breaking down. However, class divisions remained entrenched, and 'the Establishment' continued to dominate politics and the media. Meanwhile, the position of women saw limited change; despite some entering the workforce, societal expectations largely confined them to domestic roles as housewives, reinforced by the very consumer goods designed to ease domestic labour. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identify indicators of rising living standards, such as increased wages, housing developments, and the end of rationing in 1954. Explain the impact of consumerism, noting the proliferation of hire purchase agreements for cars, televisions, and white goods. Analyse changing social attitudes, including the emergence of youth culture and early challenges to traditional deference. Evaluate the enduring power of 'the Establishment' and the rigid class system despite growing economic equality. A common slip: Assuming the social revolution of the 1960s began in the early 1950s. Instead, emphasising that 1951-1957 remained largely conservative and deferential. Exam tip: Use specific statistics, such as the surge in television ownership or car registrations, to substantiate claims about consumerism.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Affluence and Consumerism
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Social Class and Deference
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Gender Roles
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Cultural Shifts
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See every definition
- Affluence and Consumerism
- A post-war boom brought rising living standards, with increased home ownership and the purchase of televisions and washing machines on hire purchase.
- Social Class and Deference
- Class divisions remained entrenched and 'the Establishment' continued to dominate politics and the media, though there were early signs of deference breaking down.
- Gender Roles
- Despite some women entering the workforce, societal expectations largely confined them to domestic roles as housewives, reinforced by the consumer goods designed to ease domestic labour.
- Cultural Shifts
- Prosperity spurred changing social attitudes and behaviour, fostering a more youth-oriented culture and early challenges to traditional deference.
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