Britain since 1945

This page is about modern Britain after the Second World War. The main themes are welfare, migration, social change, Europe and devolution.

Timeline anchors

The story in order

After the war, Britain expanded the welfare state. The NHS started in 1948. Clement Attlee and William Beveridge are important names for this period.

Post-war migration changed Britain. Empire Windrush arrived in 1948 and is linked with Caribbean migration.

The 1960s brought social and cultural change. The 1970s brought economic problems. Later governments changed the economy, public services and the constitution.

The UK joined the European Economic Community in 1973, voted to leave the European Union in 2016, and formally left after that process. Devolution also changed how Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are governed.

Test facts to know

• After 1945 the welfare state expanded, including the creation of the NHS in 1948.
• Clement Attlee was the Labour Prime Minister after the Second World War.
• William Beveridge wrote an influential report on social insurance and welfare reform.
• Post-war migration included people from the Caribbean, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries.
• The Empire Windrush arrived in 1948 and is linked with Caribbean migration.
• The 1960s brought major social and cultural change.
• British inventions in the 20th century include television, radar, jet engines and computing-related advances.
• The 1970s included economic problems and industrial disputes.
• Mary Peters won Olympic gold for the pentathlon in 1972.
• The UK joined the European Economic Community in 1973 and later left the European Union after the 2016 referendum.
• Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990.
• Roald Dahl is a major children’s author.
• The Labour government from 1997 introduced devolution changes and was involved in the Good Friday Agreement.
• UK forces were involved in Afghanistan and Iraq after 2001.
• A coalition government was formed in 2010.

How questions may test it

• Link 1948 to the NHS and Empire Windrush.
• Identify Attlee and Beveridge in relation to the welfare state.
• Link 1973 to joining the EEC and 2016 to the EU referendum.
• Identify Thatcher, Dahl and Mary Peters.
• Recognise devolution and the Good Friday Agreement as late-20th-century changes.

Key terms

welfare state, NHS, Clement Attlee, William Beveridge, Empire Windrush, Mary Peters, European Economic Community, European Union, Margaret Thatcher, Roald Dahl, devolution, Good Friday Agreement, coalition government.