AQA · A-Level · History
Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017
Social issues: the extent of 'social liberalism'; anti-establishment…
Full specification wording
2S The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–2007 – Towards a new Consensus, 1987–1997 (A-level only): Social issues: the extent of 'social liberalism'; anti-establishment culture; the position of women and race-relations
Between 1987 and 1997, Britain experienced complex social shifts.
Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 4
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Between 1987 and 1997, Britain experienced complex social shifts. The extent of 'social liberalism' was contested; while Section 28 (1988) restricted gay rights, public attitudes gradually became more tolerant, culminating in the lowering of the homosexual age of consent in 1994. An anti-establishment culture flourished through the illegal rave scene, the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 protests, and the rise of Britpop. The position of women advanced with increased workforce participation and the emergence of 'Girl Power', though the 'glass ceiling' and unequal pay persisted. Race relations faced severe scrutiny following the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993, which exposed institutional racism within the police, even as multiculturalism became more visible in mainstream British culture.
What earns the marks
- Evaluate the limits of social liberalism by contrasting progressive public attitudes with conservative legislation like Section 28.
- Analyse the manifestations of anti-establishment culture, including environmental protests (e.g., Swampy), rave culture, and the backlash against the Criminal Justice Act 1994.
- Assess changes in the position of women, noting the contrast between cultural empowerment ('Girl Power') and ongoing economic disparities like the gender pay gap.
- Examine the state of race relations by discussing the impact of the Stephen Lawrence murder and the subsequent campaign for justice on public awareness of institutional racism.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming that the 1990s were a period of unchallenged social liberalism.
Put it right: Highlight conservative pushbacks such as Section 28 and the 'Back to Basics' campaign.
Treating anti-establishment culture as purely political.
Put it right: Include cultural movements like rave culture, Britpop, and environmental activism as key expressions of anti-establishment sentiment.
Assuming race relations were entirely harmonious by the 1990s.
Put it right: Use the Stephen Lawrence case to demonstrate ongoing systemic issues and racial tensions.
Exam tips
- Use the Stephen Lawrence case as a primary example when discussing the complexities and failures of race relations during this period.
- Contrast John Major's 'Back to Basics' campaign with the reality of 1990s social liberalism to demonstrate the disconnect between government and society.
- Link the rise of anti-establishment culture to youth disillusionment with long-term Conservative rule and economic recessions.
Try the lesson
The start of the 2S The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–2007 – Towards a new Consensus, 1987–1997 (A-level only): Social issues: the extent of 'social liberalism'; anti-establishment culture; the position of women and race-relations lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which 1994 piece of legislation was introduced by the Conservative government specifically to crack down on the anti-establishment 'rave' culture and environmental protests?
Listen
Between 1987 and 1997, Britain experienced complex social shifts. The extent of 'social liberalism' was contested; while Section 28 (1988) restricted gay rights, public attitudes gradually became more tolerant, culminating in the lowering of the homosexual age of consent in 1994. An anti-establishment culture flourished through the illegal rave scene, the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 protests, and the rise of Britpop. The position of women advanced with increased workforce participation and the emergence of 'Girl Power', though the 'glass ceiling' and unequal pay persisted. Race relations faced severe scrutiny following the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993, which exposed institutional racism within the police, even as multiculturalism became more visible in mainstream British culture. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Evaluate the limits of social liberalism by contrasting progressive public attitudes with conservative legislation like Section 28. Analyse the manifestations of anti-establishment culture, including environmental protests (e.g., Swampy), rave culture, and the backlash against the Criminal Justice Act 1994. Assess changes in the position of women, noting the contrast between cultural empowerment ('Girl Power') and ongoing economic disparities like the gender pay gap. Examine the state of race relations by discussing the impact of the Stephen Lawrence murder and the subsequent campaign for justice on public awareness of institutional racism. A common slip: Claiming that the 1990s were a period of unchallenged social liberalism. Instead, highlight conservative pushbacks such as Section 28 and the 'Back to Basics' campaign. Exam tip: Use the Stephen Lawrence case as a primary example when discussing the complexities and failures of race relations during this period.
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