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Revolution in Paris and Spring in Prague
In 1968 Martin Luther King was assassinated. Enoch Powell gave his famous "Rivers of Blood" speech opposing immigration - The Times called the speech "evil" and Prime Minister Edward Heath sacked Powell from the Cabinet.
The economy was in a desperate state, the government was at the mercy of internationals financiers.
Anti Vietnam War demonstrations were widespread and in France Students, supported by trades unions, staged violent demonstrations, especially in Paris. These demonstrations would indirectly force the resignation of President de Gaulle.
The Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia after the new Czech liberal leader, Alexander Dubcek introduced the Prague Spring of liberal reforms. With the invasion, the so-called Brezhnev Doctrine was confirmed - that the USSR reserved the right to intervene wheresoever Moscow felt its authority and security in jeopardy
Tony Hancock |
ANTHONY JOHN HANCOCK (1924-1968)- Born in Birmingham.
- Hancock's Half Hour began on radio in 1954 and transferred to television two years later
- Depressions and lack of self belief were seriously damaged his career.
- Unsuccessful experiments with serious drama did little to build his confidence.
- Committed suicide in Australia
The London Gold Market were shut for two weeks in 1968 because the economy was in such a desperate state.
Extract From Enoch Powell's Rivers Of Blood Speech
"For these dangerous and divisive elements the legislation proposed in the Race Relations Bill is the very pabulum they need to flourish.
"Here is the means of showing that the immigrant communities can organise to consolidate their members, to agitate and campaign against their fellow citizens, and to overawe and dominate the rest with the legal weapons which the ignorant and ill-informed have provided.
"As I look ahead, I am filled with foreboding.
"Like the Roman, I seem to see, 'the River Tiber foaming with much blood'.
"That tragic and intractable phenomenon which we watch with horror on the other side of the Atlantic but which there is interwoven with the history and existence of the States itself, is coming upon us here by our own volition and our own neglect.
"Indeed, it has all but come.
"In numerical terms, it will be of American proportions long before the end of the century.
"Only resolute and urgent action will avert it even now.
"Whether there will be the public will to demand and obtain that action, I do not know.
"All I know is that to see, and not to speak, would be a great betrayal.
 
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| 1963 | The Profumo Affair
Macmillan resigns due to ill-health
Douglas-Home becomes Tory Prime Minister
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| 1964 | General Election. Labour win and Harold Wilson becomes Prime Minister
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| 1965 | Winston Churchill dies
Sir Alec Douglas-Home resigns as Tory leader as is succeeded by Edward Heath
Rhodesia declares UDI (Unilateral Declaration of Independence)
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| 1966 | Barclay's Bank introduces the first British credit card
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| 1967 | The Pound is devalued
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| 1968 | The Commonwealth Immigration Act is passed
Anti Vietnam War riots throughout Europe
Student riots in Paris
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| 1969 | Extra troops sent to Ulster - start of present "Troubles"
Prince Charles becomes the Prince of Wales
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| 1970 | General Election. Edward Heath becomes Tory PM
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| 1971 | The Industrial Relations Act is passed
Decimal Currency introduced
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| 1972 | The Northern Irish Parliament is replaced by Westminster
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| 1973 | Britain joins the EEC
VAT is introduced
Yom Kippur War
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