The changing role of women in post-war Britain | History

Starter quiz

Which term describes the transfer of an industry or business from private to government ownership?
- 'nationalise' ✓
Complete the sentence: The Labour government justified their post-WW2 policies with their belief in ______.
- 'social democracy' ✓
Which major industries were the last to be nationalised?
- coal
- electricity
- iron ✓
- steel ✓
- railways
Why did the Conservatives continue to keep key industries nationalised despite their opposition to the policy?
- It had helped the economy to recover in the long-term.
- It had helped the economy to recover in the short-term. ✓
- It had proved popular with the British public. ✓
- It had proved unpopular with the British public.
Which of the following statements were positives of nationalisation?
- Parts of the countryside were brought onto the electric grid. ✓
- The economy was stagnant in the 1970s.
- The government had to compensate the former industry owners.
- Several railway lines were constructed. ✓
- It improved working conditions. ✓
What happened to nationalised industries in the 1980s?
- They remained in government hands.
- They were sold back to private companies. ✓
- They were sold to international governments.

Which term describes when there are not enough workers to meet demand?
- 'labour shortage' ✓
Complete the sentence: To call someone up for compulsory military service is to ______ them.
- 'conscript' ✓
How many women were involved in work for the Land Army during WW2?
- 25 000
- 45 000
- 65 000 ✓
- 85 000
How many married women in Britain had paid jobs of any kind in the 1930s?
- 2 in 5
- 3 in 10
- 4 in 5
- 1 in 10 ✓
What subjects did schooling for girls continue to focus on immediately post-WW2?
- mathematics
- domestic science ✓
- chemistry
- history
- physical education
In what year was the Equal Pay Act passed?
- 1950
- 1955
- 1965
- 1970

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During WW2, many women entered the workforce or were conscripted into military support services.
In the late 1940s, labour shortages meant women were encouraged to re-enter the labour market.
Women were seen as secondary workers and were paid less than men.
Women campaigned for equal pay throughout the 1950s and 1960s, with teachers granted equal pay in 1955.
Many married women undertook paid work in the 1960s but still faced significant discrimination.

Students might not realise that women as well as men were conscripted during WW2.

In 1940, single women aged 20-30, and widowed women without children, were conscripted into war work.