Synopses & Reviews
This book is the first to examine all aspects of the crisis together and in depth using an extensive range of official, institutional and personal papers. It demonstrates that a proper understanding of economic and imperial policies requires a sophisticated grasp of political processes. It shows how explanation of British political change must proceed by placing the power elites in their specific contexts, by exposing their beliefs, fears, objectives and strategies, and by displaying their interactions. The Treasury, the Bank of England, big business, the TUC and Keynes, as well as MacDonald, Baldwin, Lloyd George, Churchill, Mosley and Chamberlain are seen tackling some of the most fundamental problems of the modern British state.
Review
"...important exploration of British politics...an almost day-by-day analysis of high politics. Unlike some of the others, however, this revealing account never loses sight of the broader issues that underlay the maneuverings of the politicians...It is an important corrective to some of the still continuing myths about the interwar years." American Historical Review"The strength of Philip Williamson's new volume lies...in the very comprehensive and detailed treatment it provides of the political and economic crisis. This reflects the immense range of private papers he has consulted in preparing the book; and it is a tribute to his skills that the result is a remarkably readable account of a highly complex series of events." Times Literary Supplement"Williamson's dense, complex book may well be one of the most important contributions to British political history in more than a decade....All these developments are examined with care and uncommon clarity in a book that has been researched with unusual depth." Choice"Williamson's book is absolutely indispensable for anyone who wants to know what was going on in British politics in 1929-31...." Trevor Lloyd, Canadian Journal of History"Williamson's revisionist account adds immeasurably to our understanding of the crucial transitional years of the second Labour government. In stressing the importance of the Liberal revival to the instability of 1930 and the reconfiguration of 1931, Williamson provides a realistic portrait of the complexities of party control and governance during a hung parliament and convincingly postdates by eight years a process of two-party polarization Maurice Cowling saw to be complete by 1924....Williamson's studies will probably become the classic accounts of the course of high politics...." Susan Pedersen, Journal of British Studies"Philip Williamson has taken many years to produce this book, and it is a triumph for those who argue that good history can only be written after a long gestation period. However, it is to be hoped that his next book will not take so long, because he is clearly a historian who can see through myths and half-truths and produce really first-class work. For that he is to be congratulated." Andrew Thorpe, Journal of Modern History
Synopsis
An in-depth examination of the prolonged crisis that gave rise to Briatin's National government.
Synopsis
This book analyses a transformation in British politics, economic policy, and imperial strategy during an international recession and a European financial panic. It focuses upon the notorious financial and political crisis of 1931, which destroyed a Labour government and led to the creation of an all-party National government. Unlike other studies of the period, Dr Williamsonâs book covers both policy and politics. The Treasury, the Bank of England, and Keynes, as well as the politicians are seen tackling some of the most fundamental problems of the modern British state.
Table of Contents
List of illustrations; Acknowledgements; Conventions and abbreviations; Introduction; Part I. Components of Crisis: 1. The erosion of Conservative predominance; 2. Economic and imperial troubles; 3. Government and party troubles; 4. âNational crisisâ; Part II. Crisis Avoided: 5. The impact of India; 6. Retrenchment and containment; 7. Towards a two-party system; Part III. The Crisis: 8. The financial crisis: July 1931; 9. The political crisis: August 1931; 10. First effects; 11. The emergency governmentâs crisis: September 1931; Part IV. Crisis Overcome: 12. The political reconstruction; 13. The defeated; 14. The national government; Conclusion; Appendix; Sources; Index.