National Crisis and National Government
British Politics, the Economy and Empire, 1926–1932

This 1992 book is an in-depth examination of the prolonged crisis that gave rise to Britain's National government.

Philip Williamson (Author)

9780521521413, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 18 December 2003

588 pages
22.9 x 15.3 x 3.4 cm, 0.9 kg

'It is a comprehensive study which will no doubt establish Williamson's reputation as a major authority on the high politics of this tense and dramatic period … The book is a mine of information. New material has been unearthed, often from obscure archives. From such research comes a real understanding of the actors in the drama … a valuable and highly rewarding contribution to the analysis of a highly significant historical event.' The Durham University Journal

From 1926 Britain fell into a condition of deep national crisis, which seemed to threaten its domestic stability and international power. By 1932 the effort to contain these problems had transformed British politics and policy. Strains produced by three-party politics, economic recession and imperial difficulties resulted during 1931 in such a severe financial and political crisis that the Labour government collapsed and Conservative, Liberal and some Labour leaders joined together in a National government. Despite large public expenditure cuts and tax increases, and despite devaluation of sterling and a new crisis in the Indian Empire, this government obtained the greatest British election victory of modern times. This 1992 book examines all aspects of the crisis together and in depth, using an extensive range of official, institutional and personal papers.

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. 'National crisis'
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 government's crisis: September 1931
Part IV. Crisis Overcome: 12. The political reconstruction
13. The defeated
14. The national government
Conclusion
Appendix
Sources
Index.

Subject Areas: 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], British & Irish history [HBJD1]