Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
A changing political landscape: changing party fortunes, 1918–31; the…
Full specification wording
A changing political and economic environment, 1918–79: A changing political landscape: changing party fortunes, 1918–31; the National government, 1931–45; Labour government, the rise of consensus politics and political challenge, 1945–79.
This theme traces how party fortunes shifted from 1918 to 1931, as Labour replaced the Liberals as the main opposition to the Conservatives, helped by the 1918 Representation of the People Act and…
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This theme traces how party fortunes shifted from 1918 to 1931, as Labour replaced the Liberals as the main opposition to the Conservatives, helped by the 1918 Representation of the People Act and the growth of trade union politics. It then examines the National government of 1931–45, formed to handle the financial crisis, and asks how far it was genuinely national rather than Conservative-dominated. Finally it covers the Labour governments after 1945, the rise of consensus politics around the mixed economy and welfare state, and the political challenge of the 1970s, including strikes, inflation and devolution pressures. A strong answer links each phase to evidence and to interpretations about continuity and change.
What earns the marks
- Explains how the 1918 Representation of the People Act expanded the electorate and reshaped party competition after 1918.
- Analyses why Labour overtook the Liberals by 1924 and how the 1923 election produced the first Labour government.
- Evaluates the 1931 financial crisis and whether the National government was a genuine coalition or a Conservative vehicle.
- Assesses the 1945 Labour landslide and the Attlee reforms in welfare, health and nationalisation.
- Discusses consensus politics from the 1950s and the political challenge of the 1970s, including industrial unrest and devolution.
- Uses interpretations and contemporary evidence to judge how far the political landscape changed across the period.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the National government as simply a Conservative government.
Put it right: Examine its cross-party composition and the dominance of Conservative ministers within it.
Assuming Labour's rise was automatic after 1918.
Put it right: Explain the role of the 1918 Act, trade unions and the decline of the Liberal Party.
Describing the 1970s only as a time of consensus.
Put it right: Show both continuing consensus and growing political challenge, such as strikes and devolution debates.
Exam tips
- Plan by the three phases in the statement so every clause is addressed.
- Anchor each claim in specific evidence, such as election results, legislation or key figures.
- When evaluating interpretations, state the view, test it against evidence and reach a supported judgement.
Try the lesson
The start of the A changing political and economic environment, 1918–79: A changing political landscape: changing party fortunes, 1918–31; the National government, 1931–45; Labour government, the rise of consensus politics and political challenge, 1945–79. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which political party formed the government immediately following the 1945 general election?
Listen
This theme traces how party fortunes shifted from 1918 to 1931, as Labour replaced the Liberals as the main opposition to the Conservatives, helped by the 1918 Representation of the People Act and the growth of trade union politics. It then examines the National government of 1931–45, formed to handle the financial crisis, and asks how far it was genuinely national rather than Conservative-dominated. Finally it covers the Labour governments after 1945, the rise of consensus politics around the mixed economy and welfare state, and the political challenge of the 1970s, including strikes, inflation and devolution pressures. A strong answer links each phase to evidence and to interpretations about continuity and change. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains how the 1918 Representation of the People Act expanded the electorate and reshaped party competition after 1918. Analyses why Labour overtook the Liberals by 1924 and how the 1923 election produced the first Labour government. Evaluates the 1931 financial crisis and whether the National government was a genuine coalition or a Conservative vehicle. Assesses the 1945 Labour landslide and the Attlee reforms in welfare, health and nationalisation. A common slip: Treating the National government as simply a Conservative government. Instead, examine its cross-party composition and the dominance of Conservative ministers within it. Exam tip: Plan by the three phases in the statement so every clause is addressed.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Election produced the first Labour government
- 2. Representation of the People Act expanded the electorate
- 3. Labour landslide and Attlee reforms
- 4. Labour overtook the Liberals
- 5. Financial crisis and formation of the National government
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Party realignment and the rise of Labour
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Coalition and national government in crisis
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Welfare state and mixed economy
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Consensus and political challenge in the 1970s
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Party realignment and the rise of Labour
- The shift in party fortunes from 1918 to 1931, as Labour replaced the Liberals as the main opposition to the Conservatives.
- Coalition and national government in crisis
- The National government of 1931–45, formed to handle the financial crisis, examined for whether it was genuinely national rather than Conservative-dominated.
- Welfare state and mixed economy
- The focus of consensus politics after 1945, alongside the Labour governments and the Attlee reforms in welfare, health and nationalisation.
- Consensus and political challenge in the 1970s
- The period showing both continuing consensus and growing political challenge, including strikes, inflation and devolution pressures.
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