OCR Specification focus:
‘political developments during the war: the coalition of 1915, the creation of the Lloyd George Coalition; the splits in the Liberal Party and their importance.’
The years 1915–1916 were crucial for British politics, as the pressures of the First World War forced new coalitions, deepened party divisions, and reshaped leadership dynamics.
The Asquith Government and the 1915 Coalition
Pressures on the Asquith Administration
By 1915, Herbert Asquith’s Liberal government was under immense strain due to the demands of total war. The war revealed serious shortcomings:
Military setbacks such as the failure at Gallipoli.
Shell Crisis of 1915, exposing shortages of artillery shells on the Western Front.
Criticism of poor organisation in recruitment, supply, and strategy.
The public and political opponents increasingly felt the existing government machinery could not sustain the war effort effectively.
Formation of the First Coalition, 1915
In response, Asquith agreed to broaden his government into a coalition of Liberals, Conservatives, and Labour. This was a landmark shift:
Liberals retained dominance but ceded key posts.
Conservatives gained influence, with Andrew Bonar Law as Colonial Secretary.
Labour secured representation, notably with Arthur Henderson.
The coalition reflected wartime necessity, bringing together rival parties under the imperative of national unity.
Coalition Government: A government formed from two or more political parties, often to provide stability during crises when no single party can govern alone.
Although stabilising in the short term, the coalition planted seeds of future division, especially within the Liberal Party.
Military Failures and Political Tensions
The Gallipoli Campaign
The Gallipoli disaster (1915–1916) highlighted poor military planning and inadequate government oversight. Heavy losses damaged the credibility of Asquith’s leadership.
Shell Crisis and Munitions Ministry
The shortage of shells in 1915 led to the establishment of the Ministry of Munitions, headed by David Lloyd George.
Female workers at the National Shell Filling Factory, Chilwell, guide 6-inch howitzer shells during peak wartime production. The image exemplifies the ministry’s coordination of labour and materials after 1915. It supports the notes’ emphasis on state-directed efficiency. Source
This demonstrated his dynamism and increased his profile, while also underscoring Asquith’s perceived indecisiveness.
The Role of Lloyd George
Lloyd George quickly became central to war administration:
He pushed for more efficient industrial mobilisation.
He gained widespread support for his energy and determination.
His rise contrasted with Asquith’s more measured, legalistic style.
This personal rivalry foreshadowed the eventual split within the Liberal Party.
The 1916 Crisis and Lloyd George’s Ascendancy
Criticisms of Asquith
By late 1916, military stalemate and loss of confidence accelerated political unrest. Asquith was seen as:
Reluctant to centralise war direction.
Ineffective in managing coalition relations.
Too slow to adapt to the demands of total war.
The Fall of Asquith
Lloyd George, supported by Conservative leaders such as Bonar Law, manoeuvred to replace Asquith. In December 1916, Asquith resigned, unwilling to serve under new conditions proposed by Lloyd George.
War Cabinet: A small, centralised body created in 1916 under Lloyd George to manage war strategy, separate from the larger, slower-moving Cabinet.
The Lloyd George Coalition
Lloyd George formed a new coalition, still including Conservatives and Labour, but now dominated by his leadership and centred around the War Cabinet.
Prime Minister David Lloyd George’s War Cabinet, late 1916. The photograph illustrates the compact executive created to accelerate wartime decision-making. It visually underlines the political re-alignment that followed the December 1916 crisis. Source
Conservatives held strong positions, making the coalition dependent on their support.
Labour maintained a symbolic but limited role.
Lloyd George’s leadership style was dynamic, pragmatic, and focused on victory.
Liberal Party Splits
Asquithian vs. Lloyd Georgian Liberals
The leadership struggle fractured the Liberal Party:
Asquithians: loyal to the former Prime Minister, critical of Lloyd George’s methods.
Lloyd Georgians: supportive of his energetic, interventionist leadership.
This divide became a lasting schism, with damaging consequences for the party’s unity and electoral strength.
Importance of the Split
The split was significant because:
It weakened the Liberal Party’s ability to present itself as a cohesive alternative.
It allowed the Labour Party to emerge as the principal progressive force.
It entrenched Conservative influence, as Lloyd George relied heavily on them to govern.
Liberal Party Split: The division of the Liberal Party during the First World War into factions supporting either Asquith or Lloyd George, leading to long-term decline.
The split never healed, contributing directly to the party’s marginalisation in post-war politics.
Political Significance of 1915–1916
Impact on Wartime Governance
The coalition arrangements of 1915 and 1916 transformed wartime politics:
Government became more centralised and militarily focused.
Party politics gave way, at least superficially, to national unity.
New institutions like the War Cabinet ensured quicker decision-making.
Long-term Consequences
The events of 1915–1916 reshaped Britain’s political landscape:
The Liberal Party’s decline became irreversible.
The Labour Party’s rise was accelerated, as it demonstrated responsibility within coalition politics.
The Conservatives strengthened their influence, ready to dominate post-war governments.
Lloyd George’s premiership symbolised a new style of wartime leadership, but it came at the price of permanent Liberal division.
FAQ
The Shell Crisis exposed serious flaws in wartime supply and organisation, suggesting mismanagement by Asquith’s government. Press criticism, especially from The Times and the Daily Mail, amplified public discontent.
Asquith was seen as detached, while Lloyd George emerged as an energetic problem-solver when appointed Minister of Munitions. This shift highlighted Asquith’s weaknesses and began the process that ultimately undermined his authority within the coalition.
The Conservatives, previously marginalised after the Liberal landslide of 1906, regained ministerial influence by joining Asquith’s coalition.
Andrew Bonar Law became Colonial Secretary, providing Conservatives with direct involvement in strategic affairs.
Their presence strengthened perceptions of national unity.
It also positioned them as indispensable to Lloyd George when he formed his coalition in 1916, giving them lasting leverage in government.
The War Cabinet was small, usually five members, compared to the full Cabinet of over twenty. This structure was more efficient in decision-making during wartime.
It centralised strategy and reduced delays, allowing rapid responses to military and industrial needs. Lloyd George’s creation of the War Cabinet was widely seen as a break from Asquith’s slower, traditional Cabinet style.
Though Lloyd George was a Liberal, his government relied heavily on Conservatives for stability.
Conservatives held most senior offices, including key roles in defence and foreign policy.
Their parliamentary numbers far exceeded the fractured Liberals, ensuring majority support.
Without Conservative backing, Lloyd George could not have maintained his position as Prime Minister.
This dependency shifted the balance of power away from the Liberals, accelerating their decline.
Arthur Henderson joined the coalition Cabinet in 1915 as the first Labour minister. His presence symbolised inclusion of working-class interests during total war.
He helped secure cooperation between government and trade unions, easing industrial tensions. Labour’s involvement also provided legitimacy to wartime sacrifices by showing cross-party representation.
Although Labour’s influence remained limited, Henderson’s role raised the party’s status, preparing it for growth after the war.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks)
In which year did Herbert Asquith resign as Prime Minister, and who replaced him?
Mark scheme:
1 mark for identifying the correct year: 1916
1 mark for naming the correct successor: David Lloyd George
Question 2 (6 marks)
Explain two reasons why the Liberal Party split during the First World War.
Mark scheme:
Up to 3 marks for each developed explanation.
Award 1 mark for identifying a reason, 2 marks for some explanation, and 3 marks for a fully developed explanation linked to the context.
Indicative content:
Leadership conflict: Asquith’s indecisive leadership contrasted with Lloyd George’s dynamic approach. This created rival factions (Asquithians vs. Lloyd Georgians).
War strategy and government organisation: Disagreements over centralising war direction and the creation of the War Cabinet divided the party, with some supporting Asquith’s traditional style and others favouring Lloyd George’s new methods.
Maximum: 6 marks (3+3).
