History
British history: The rise and fall of the postwar consensus 1945-75
An outline course examining Britain’s political, economic and social development from 1945 to 1975 through tutor input and discussion.
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Upcoming classes
1 class
About this course
This course examines the impact of the Second World War on Britain and the policies of successive Labour and Conservative governments between 1945 and 1975. Topics include nationalisation, full employment, trade unions, the NHS, welfare, council housing, state education, social reform, individual rights and relations with Europe. Tutor-led input is combined with discussion and student participation. The course considers both continuity and change across the period, including the establishment and eventual unravelling of the postwar consensus, and asks whether that term accurately describes the era.
What you'll learn
- Identify key political, economic and social developments in Britain between 1945 and 1975.
- Evaluate continuity and change in economic policy across Labour and Conservative governments.
- Assess changes in social policy, including welfare, housing, education and individual rights.
- Examine Britain’s changing relationship with Europe during the period.
- Critically assess the legacy and historical significance of the postwar consensus.
Is this course right for you?
The course is designed as an outline introduction for learners without previous knowledge of the subject. Participation combines listening to formal tutor input with discussion, so learners are expected to have opportunities to contribute to group conversation.
- No previous knowledge is required.
- Includes discussion alongside tutor-led teaching.
Before you go
- Pen and paper may be brought for voluntary note-taking.
- An optional reading list is provided, including J. Black’s A History of Britain: 1945 to Brexit and K. O. Morgan’s Twentieth-Century Britain: A Very Short Introduction.