A Companion to Early Twentieth-Century Britain

This Companion brings together 32 new essays by leading historians to provide a reassessment of British history in the early twentieth century. The contributors present lucid introductions to the literature and debates on major aspects of the political, social and economic history of Britain between 1900 and 1939. Examines controversial issues over the social impact of the First World War, especially on women Provides substantial coverage of changes in Wales, Scotland and Ireland as well as in England Includes a substantial bibliography, which will be a valuable guide to secondary sources

This Companion brings together 32 new essays by leadinghistorians to provide a reassessment of British history in theearly twentieth century. The contributors present lucidintroductions to the literature and debates on major aspects of thepolitical, social and economic history of Britain between 1900 and1939.* Examines controversial issues over the social impact of theFirst World War, especially on women* Provides substantial coverage of changes in Wales, Scotland andIreland as well as in England* Includes a substantial bibliography, which will be a valuableguide to secondary sources

List of Contributors xIntroduction xvPart I British Political Life1 The Conservative Party, 1900-1939: From Crisis toAscendancy 3Philip Williamson2 The Liberal Party, 1900-1939: Summit and Descent23Michael Bentley3 The Politics of the Labour Movement, 1900-1939 38Duncan Tanner4 The Politics of National Efficiency and of War1900-1918 56G. R. Searle5 Scottish Issues in British Politics, 1900-1939 72I. G. C. Hutchison6 Wales and British Politics, 1900-1939 87R. Merfyn Jones7 Ireland and British Politics, 1900-1939 102D. George Boyce8 Women and Politics, 1900-1939 118Christine CollettePart II Britain and the World9 Immigrants, Sojourners and Refugees: Minority Groups inBritain, 1900-1939 137Anne J. Kershen10 British Foreign Policy, 1900-1939 152G. H. Bennett11 The British Armed Forces, 1900-1939 167David French12 The Empire, 1900-1939 182Martin Kitchen13 The British Economy and the Empire, 1900-1939 198B. R. Tomlinson14 Britain in the International Economy, 1900-1939212Tim Rooth15 The State and the Economy, 1900-1939 229M. W. KirbyPart III Social and Economic Developments16 The City of London and British Banking, 1900-1939249R. C. Michie17 Agriculture, Agrarian Society and the Countryside 270Peter Dewey18 Transport, 1900-1939 286Colin Divall19 Industry and Services: Employment and Unemployment 302K. D. Brown20 Industrial Relations in Britain, 1900-1939 319Arthur J. McIvor21 Social Structure, 1900-1939 337Andrew Miles22 Consumption and Consumer Behaviour 353Sue Bowden23 Social Welfare: Public and Private, 1900-1939 373Keith Laybourn24 Housing and Town Planning, 1900-1939 388Helen Meller25 Medicine and Public Health, 1900-1939 405Steven Cherry26 Education, 1900-1939 424Roy Lowe27 Crime, Police and Penal Policy 438Clive Emsley28 Leisure and Sport in Britain, 1900-1939 453Peter J. Beck29 Religion, 1900-1939 470Stuart Mews30 Culture in the Sceptr'd Isle 485Anthony Sutcliffe31 The Impact of the First World War 502Chris Wrigley32 Britishness 517John K. WaltonBibliography of Secondary Sources 532Index 568