Modern Britain
From 1945 to today: the welfare state, new arrivals who reshaped the country, devolution, and joining and leaving the European Union.
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What the test asks about this period
Britain came out of the Second World War poorer but determined to rebuild. The changes that followed are the ones you live with today.
The health service, the welfare state, immigration from the Commonwealth, and parliaments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all belong to this period.
The test asks for the big dates and what each change did.
The welfare state
- The Beveridge Report of 1942 set out a plan to tackle poverty, illness and unemployment.
- Clement Attlee's Labour government put it into practice after 1945.
- The National Health Service was created in 1948, free at the point of use.
- The 1944 Education Act made secondary education free for all children.
A changing population
- The ship Empire Windrush brought workers from the Caribbean in 1948.
- People came from the Caribbean, India, Pakistan and elsewhere to fill jobs after the war.
- India gained independence in 1947, and other colonies followed.
- The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of countries, most of them once part of the British Empire.
Test yourself on British history
Thirteen history questions with the answers explained, then a full mock test when you are ready.
British history questionsEurope
- The UK joined the European Economic Community in 1973.
- In the 2016 referendum, 52% voted to leave the European Union and 48% voted to remain.
- The UK formally left the EU on 31 January 2020.
Devolution and the nations
- Since 1999 Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have had their own parliaments or assemblies.
- The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 brought an end to most of the conflict in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles.
- In the 2014 referendum Scotland voted to stay in the United Kingdom, by about 55% to 45%.
Other events the test may mention
- Margaret Thatcher became the first woman Prime Minister in 1979.
- The Falklands War was fought in 1982.
- The Channel Tunnel to France opened in 1994.
- London hosted the Olympic Games in 2012, for the third time.
Practice questions on this period
Here are 4 questions from our bank. The correct answer is marked, and under each one is a short reason.
Question 1. What major social reform did Clement Attlee's post-war Labour government introduce in 1948?
Topic: British History
- The introduction of free secondary education for all
- The creation of the National Health Service (NHS)(correct answer)
- The nationalisation of the BBC
- The introduction of the minimum wage
Why: Clement Attlee's government created the National Health Service in 1948. It gave everyone health care free at the point of use.
Question 2. What was the significance of the Windrush generation?
Topic: British History
- World War Two RAF pilots from the Caribbean who served in the Battle of Britain
- Commonwealth citizens who came from the Caribbean and elsewhere from 1948 onwards to fill post-war labour shortages, transforming British society and culture(correct answer)
- Irish migrants who came to Britain in the 1950s to work in the construction industry after the Irish Famine
- South Asian migrants who arrived following Indian independence and Partition in 1947
Why: The Windrush generation came from the Caribbean and elsewhere from 1948 to fill jobs after the war. They changed British life.
Question 3. What was the result of the 2016 UK referendum on EU membership?
Topic: British History
- 52% voted to Remain; 48% voted to Leave
- 52% voted to Leave; 48% voted to Remain(correct answer)
- 60% voted to Leave; 40% voted to Remain
- 55% voted to Remain; 45% voted to Leave
Why: In the 2016 referendum 52% voted to leave the European Union and 48% voted to remain. The UK left on 31 January 2020.
Question 4. What was the result of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum?
Topic: British History
- Scotland voted for independence by 51% to 49%
- Scotland voted to remain in the United Kingdom by approximately 55% to 45%(correct answer)
- Scotland voted to remain in the United Kingdom by 72% to 28%
- The vote was tied and a second referendum was called for 2016
Why: In 2014 Scotland voted to stay in the United Kingdom, by about 55% to 45%.
These are not the real exam questions, which are not published. Ours are written from the same official handbook.
Where to go next
- Previous period: Britain in the Second World War
- Next period: Kings and Queens of England
- All history questions: British History Questions
- The full chapter: British History study guide
- Drill this topic: practice by topic
History is the largest topic in the test. You need 18 out of 24 overall, so it is worth more of your time than any other period.
Common questions
When was the NHS founded?
In 1948, by Clement Attlee's post-war Labour government. It provides health care free at the point of use.
What was the Windrush generation?
People who came from the Caribbean and elsewhere in the Commonwealth from 1948 to fill jobs after the war. The name comes from the ship Empire Windrush.
When did the UK join and leave the European Union?
The UK joined the European Economic Community in 1973. It voted to leave in the 2016 referendum and formally left on 31 January 2020.
What is devolution?
Giving some powers from the UK Parliament to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which have had their own parliaments or assemblies since 1999.
Practise the whole test
24 questions across all six topics, marked against the real pass mark of 18.
Take a free mock test