In conclusion, codes and ciphers not only kept information secure, but helped usher in a new age of privacy technology, helping to protect computers and other electronic devices even today, despite the encryption being much stronger nowadays. Also, espionage carried out by spies during the Cold War helped hold in balance not only the weapon technologies of the two super powers; the USSR and the USA as well as other countries, but also intelligence of the enemy’s ambitions and intents. The governments heavily relied on both military and civilian agencies to gather this information for them. Although many of them will remain unknown well into the future, the power they held in their hands; to act or not to act decided the outcomes of many of the happenings of the war.
British Politics from 1910-14: A successful Liberal Government or the beginning of the end for British Liberalism? Owen Lock
The fall from grace for the Liberal party, between 1906 and 1922 is one of the most dramatic stories in British political history. The 1906 election represented a huge step forward for the Liberals, with Henry CampbellBannerman winning a 125 seat majority, and major inroads being made into previously Conservative areas of support in London and the south. At the time it appeared that a new Liberal era of free trade (what the election had largely been fought over), and economic liberalism was likely to follow. What few would have envisaged is that just 16 years later, in the 1922 general election, the Liberals would win just 62 seats, and be replaced permanently by a newly resurgent Labour party as the main opposition to the Conservatives in the British political system. Many Historians have previously looked at the 1910-14 period as one of the catalysts for this swing in political feeling between1906-22, and have described the period as a “failure” for the Liberal party. George Dangerfield wrote in his book named the strange death of Liberal England, “By the end of 1913 Liberal England was reduced to ashes”, whilst George Bernstein titled the period, “the years of frustration”, in his book on Liberalism in Edwardian England. If one briefly looks at the period as a whole, it is easy to understand why these Historians have drawn on the conclusion they have; The Liberal party lost more than 100 seats in the 1910 general election, falling to 274 MP’s, and failed to return to their position of political superiority over the period that followed. The government also had to face growing unionism, a growing threat from Ireland and a Labour party that was growing in support at every General election. However, it is when you consider the extent of the challenges put in place of the Liberal government, and how they dealt with the issues, that it becomes apparent that the Liberal party was in fact highly successful in dealing with the problems they faced whilst in power. For my analysis of the period, my arguments will focus on four key issues surrounding the 1910-14 period. These topics will include the issue of reform to the role of the 47 | P a g e
House of Lords, the growth of trade unionism and the suffragette movement, the problem of Ireland and the Labour party. By dissecting each area individually, and focusing on the policies the Liberal government adopted in response to them, I hope to put across my arguments for why the period can be deemed a success.
The reform to the role of the House of Lords In 1909, the rejection of the “people’s budget” by the House of Lords led to a constitutional crisis. The budget involved raising taxes on the rich in order to pay for the new welfare system, and consequently was rejected by the majority of conservative peers, as they represented Britain’s aristocracy. Although the budget itself was not an problem, and was passed in 1910 by an under pressure Lords in any case, the Lords decision ultimately led to the end of the Lords power of absolute veto over legislation passed by commons. Following the January 1910 elections, in April, the Liberals proposed a law whereby any bill passed by the commons in three successive sessions should automatically become law despite opposition of the
Lords. (Herbert Asquith. Liberal Prime Minister from 1908-1916)