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Starting with an overview of Britain on VE Day we will be examining the state of the nation and delving into evidence on the morale and expectation of the population using contemporary newspapers and reports. The lead-up to the landslide 1945 General Election will be covered, discussing, and analysing the key issues and campaign promises and reasons for the labour victory and its implications.

Further sessions will cover the economic situation after 1945, the huge debt burden and the struggle to rebuild and nationalise key industries.

The Austerity years saw the establishment of the welfare state and the implementation of the Beveridge Report. What were the key reforms and what has been the long-term impact on British society?

What can we learn from culture at the time that gives us some insight into the changes taking place and people’s attitudes? We will be looking at how the media, and the arts reflect this.

Lastly, we will focus on the gradual political shift which leads to the 1951 election and the gradual move away from austerity, and reflect on the period and its legacy in modern Britain