‘There was no serious threat to the political stability of Britain in the years 1936 to 1939.’ Assess the validity of this view.
Level
A Level
Year Examined
2020
Topic
Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906-1957
👑Complete Model Essay
‘There was no serious threat to the political stability of Britain in the years 1936 to 1939.’ Assess the validity of this view.
Was Britain's Political Stability Seriously Threatened Between 1936 and 1939?
The years 1936 to 1939 were a turbulent period in British history, marked by economic uncertainty, the rise of fascism abroad, and political divisions at home. While some argue that these challenges never truly threatened the core of British political stability, others point to a series of events and movements that shook the nation's foundations.
Arguments Supporting Stability
Several factors support the view that Britain's political stability remained largely intact during this period. The abdication crisis of 1936, while undoubtedly significant, was ultimately resolved swiftly and decisively. Stanley Baldwin, the Prime Minister, received widespread support from both the public and across the political spectrum for his handling of the situation. Edward VIII's abdication, driven by his desire to marry Wallis Simpson, demonstrated the monarchy's subordination to Parliament and the strength of constitutional norms.
Extremist groups, though vocal, posed a limited threat. The British Union of Fascists (BUF), led by the charismatic Oswald Mosley, failed to gain significant traction despite its initial growth and the support of some sections of the press. Their anti-Semitic rhetoric and ties to Nazi Germany alienated much of the public, and they never managed to win a single seat in Parliament. Similarly, the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB), while active in some trade unions, remained a small organization with limited national influence.
The government took active measures to curb the activities of extremist groups. The Public Order Act of 1936 banned political uniforms and empowered the police to control political gatherings, while the Incitement to Disaffection Act of 1934 targeted those promoting violence or revolution. These measures, coupled with the moderate leadership of the Labour Party and trade unions, helped to maintain a degree of political equilibrium. Labour's rejection of a "Popular Front" with the communists further limited the potential for radical upheaval.
Challenges to Stability
However, several factors challenge this narrative of unwavering stability. Edward VIII's actions, regardless of the outcome, exposed vulnerabilities within the monarchy. The formation of the King's Party, advocating for Edward's right to marry Simpson, highlighted the potential for constitutional crises and the persistence of alternative political visions.
The BUF, although ultimately unsuccessful, did represent a significant challenge. Mosley's rallies attracted large crowds, particularly in economically depressed areas, revealing a current of discontent that extremist groups could exploit. Their anti-Semitic messages resonated with some, particularly in London's East End, highlighting the dangers of rising intolerance and prejudice.
Furthermore, the CPGB, while numerically small, exerted influence beyond its size. Their involvement in organizing strikes, such as the Birmingham rent strike of 1939, demonstrated their capacity to disrupt social order. Their growing membership and the election of some communist-supported candidates to Parliament, albeit in limited numbers, underlined their ability to mobilize support and challenge the status quo.
The most significant threat to British stability, however, lay not in domestic politics but in the international arena. The rise of Nazi Germany and the escalating tensions in Europe cast a long shadow over the period. While public opinion initially supported the government's policy of appeasement towards Hitler, this support waned as the decade progressed. The outbreak of World War II in 1939 ultimately proved that this external threat was the most serious challenge facing Britain, exposing the limitations of its attempts to maintain peace and security.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Britain faced a range of challenges to its political stability between 1936 and 1939, most of these threats remained relatively contained. The abdication crisis, though significant, was resolved swiftly, and extremist groups failed to gain widespread support. The government's legislative measures and the moderate stance of major political parties helped to maintain a degree of equilibrium. However, the rise of fascism in Europe and the outbreak of World War II ultimately exposed the fragility of this stability and underscored the profound challenges facing Britain on the eve of global conflict. While domestic threats may have been contained, the international situation presented a far graver danger, ultimately overshadowing any internal divisions.
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Essay Outline: Political Stability in Britain, 1936-1939
This essay will assess the validity of the claim that there was no serious threat to the political stability of Britain between 1936 and 1939. It will argue that, while there were various challenges and potential threats to stability, these were ultimately contained, and did not fundamentally undermine the British political system.
Arguments Supporting Stability:
1. The Abdication Crisis:
• The abdication crisis, while a significant event, did not pose a long-term threat to stability.
• Baldwin's handling of the crisis, garnering broad support, demonstrated the resilience of the political system.
• Edward VIII's decision to abdicate ultimately prevented a constitutional crisis.
2. The British Union of Fascists (BUF):
• The BUF, despite gaining some initial popularity, failed to become a mass movement.
• Lack of electoral success and their association with Nazi Germany ultimately led to the BUF's decline.
3. The Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB):
• The CPGB remained a small and marginalized party, with limited influence and support.
• Government legislation effectively restricted their activities, minimizing their potential threat.
4. Government Legislation and Action:
• The Public Order Act (1936) and the Incitement to Disaffection Act (1934) effectively curbed extremist activities.
• These measures successfully prevented the emergence of a serious threat to the political status quo.
5. The Labour Party's Role:
• The Labour Party, with its moderate leadership, remained a key stabilizing force.
• Their rejection of the ‘Popular Front’ and their role as the main opposition party contributed to political stability.
Arguments Challenging Stability:
1. The Abdication Crisis:
• Edward VIII's actions did create a constitutional crisis, raising concerns about the monarchy's role.
• The formation of the ‘King's Party’ highlighted the potential for political divisions surrounding the monarchy.
2. The Threat of Fascism:
• The BUF's initial success and Mosley's charismatic leadership posed a real threat to stability.
• Their anti-Semitic rhetoric and potential for violence could have seriously destabilized society.
3. The CPGB's Influence:
• The CPGB's involvement in trade unions and strikes, such as the Birmingham rent strike, indicated their potential influence.
• Their growing membership and support from some Labour MPs could have contributed to political instability.
4. The Rise of International Tension:
• The escalating tensions in Europe leading up to the Second World War presented a significant challenge to British stability.
• Appeasement, while initially popular, became increasingly unpopular, reflecting growing anxieties about the future.
Conclusion:
While there were various challenges and potential threats to political stability in the years leading up to World War II, it is likely that these threats were contained. The National Government's unity, the public's general loyalty to mainstream parties, and effective government action all helped to maintain the basic stability of the British political system. Ultimately, the outbreak of war proved to be the most significant challenge to this stability.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
Arguments Supporting No Serious Threat to Political Stability (1936-1939)
Arguments supporting the view that there was no serious threat to the political stability of Britain in the years 1936 to 1939 might include:
The Abdication Crisis
The abdication crisis posed little threat to stability. Baldwin attracted support from across the political spectrum, as well as from the public, over his handling of the crisis. Ultimately, this never became a serious threat due to Edward VIII accepting the views of Baldwin and the government and abdicating the throne so that he could go ahead with the marriage.
The British Union of Fascists (BUF)
The BUF, although they did attract some support, posed little real threat as they failed to become a mass movement. They never translated the support they did have into government, as they failed to gain representation as a councillor or an MP. In the later 1930s, their ties to Nazi Germany meant that they lost support.
The Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB)
The CPGB never had more than 1800 members and the National Government were never seriously worried by their actions. Legislation passed by the government ensured that the police could keep their activities to a minimum.
Legislation and Political Control
Legislation was used effectively to prevent extremist parties becoming a threat to stability. The 1936 Public Order Act forbade the wearing of political uniforms and gave the police greater power to control and even ban political meetings. The 1934 Incitement to Disaffection Act could be used to prosecute anyone advocating revolution or violence.
The Labour Party
The Labour Party also helped to maintain political stability. Both the party and trade unions were led by moderates. The Labour Party rejected all attempts by the Communist Party to bring about a ‘Popular Front’ against fascism. Throughout the period, Labour remained the main opposition party.
Arguments Challenging No Serious Threat to Political Stability (1936-1939)
Arguments challenging the view that there was no serious threat to the political stability of Britain in the years 1936 to 1939 might include:
The Actions of Edward VIII
The actions of Edward VIII led to a constitutional crisis. His idea of a morganatic marriage further complicated the issue. A group of MPs formed the King’s Party and they argued the King should be free to make his own personal decisions.
The Threat from the BUF
The threat from the BUF at the time could be seen as serious. Oswald Mosley was a great speaker and he gave hundreds of speeches up and down the country. The BUF had support from the Daily Mail and quickly grew their numbers. There was strong support in parts of London as well as in Manchester and Liverpool and Mosley’s anti-Semitism attracted support in the east end of London.
The CPGB as a Threat
The CPGB could be seen as a threat as members had prominent roles in some trade unions and helped to organise strikes, such as the Birmingham rent strike in 1939. Party membership had doubled and they were successful in having members elected to parliament. Furthermore, they did have support from some Labour MPs.
European Tension and Appeasement
The key threat at the time was the rise in tension in Europe throughout the latter part of the 1930s. Though many in Britain agreed with the government’s policy of appeasement, this became more unpopular throughout the 1930s. The outbreak of war showed that, ultimately, this was the biggest challenge faced by Britain at the time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, although the political stability was threatened, in the years 1936 to 1939, students are likely to argue that the stability was merely rocked and that many of the threats remained just that and never led to a real challenge to the political stability of Britain. The National Government were generally united in their approach and the public, on the whole, remained loyal to the main stream political parties.