Britain in Transition, 1906–1957 – only) The 'Hungry Thirties', 1929–1939…

The idea

In the 1930s, British political stability faced significant challenges from constitutional crises and radical political groups. The 1936 abdication crisis, triggered by Edward VIII's desire to marry Wallis Simpson, tested the monarchy and the establishment, though Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin successfully navigated it to preserve constitutional integrity. Concurrently, economic hardship fuelled political extremism. Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists (BUF) attracted support through anti-Semitism and nationalism, culminating in clashes like the Battle of Cable Street. Similarly, Communism gained traction among intellectuals and the working class. However, both radical movements ultimately failed to destabilise the democratic system.

What earns the marks

• Analyse the constitutional threat posed by the 1936 abdication crisis and how Stanley Baldwin's government managed the situation to maintain stability.
• Evaluate the appeal and ultimate failure of the British Union of Fascists (BUF) under Oswald Mosley.
• Assess the influence of Communism in 1930s Britain, including its appeal to the working class and left-wing intellectuals.
• Compare the methods and impact of radical political groups, such as the BUF and the Communist Party of Great Britain, on domestic stability.
• Examine the significance of events like the Battle of Cable Street in demonstrating public resistance to radical political groups.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Exaggerating the threat of the BUF and Communism.

  Put it right: Emphasise that despite their noise, neither radical group achieved significant electoral success or genuinely threatened the state.

• Viewing the abdication crisis solely as a romantic scandal.

  Put it right: Analyse it as a severe constitutional crisis that tested the relationship between the monarch, the Church, and Parliament.

• Confusing the supporters of the BUF and Communism.

  Put it right: Distinguish between the BUF's appeal to some middle-class and disillusioned working-class individuals versus Communism's appeal to specific industrial workers and intellectuals.

Exam tips

• Use the Public Order Act 1936 as concrete evidence of how the government successfully neutralised the threat of radical political groups like the BUF.
• When discussing the abdication crisis, focus on Baldwin's political manoeuvring and the role of the Dominions in forcing Edward VIII's decision.
• Contrast the perceived threat of Communism and the BUF with the enduring electoral dominance of the moderate National Government.