Britain since 1945

Test atoms

Learn these as compact test facts. Then practise recognising the same fact in different wording.

What not to over-learn first

• Do not learn the whole welfare-state story first. Learn Beveridge → report, Bevan → NHS establishment, NHS → 1948.
• Keep EEC 1973 separate from EU referendum 2016.

Spot the correct statement

The real test often asks you to recognise a correct sentence, not write an answer from memory. You should be able to spot statements like these:

• The NHS was founded in 1948.
• The EU referendum happened in 2016.
• The UK joined the European Economic Community in 1973.

Main timeline

What changed in this period

After the war, Britain expanded the welfare state. The NHS started in 1948, under Clement Attlee’s Labour government. Aneurin Bevan, the Minister for Health, led its establishment. William Beveridge is another key name 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 and voted to leave the European Union in 2016. Devolution changed how Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are governed.

Facts to remember

• 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.
• Aneurin Bevan was the Minister for Health who led the establishment of the NHS.
• 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.

Common traps

• Link 1948 to the NHS and Empire Windrush.
• Attlee is linked to the Labour government that created the NHS.
• Aneurin Bevan is linked to leading the establishment of the NHS.
• Beveridge is linked to the welfare state.
• 1973 means joining the EEC.
• 2016 means the EU referendum.
• Devolution means powers moved from Westminster to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Words to recognise

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

Practise this topic in history practice. Devolution also appears in Government, parties and voting.

Quick check