Harold Macmillan

Harold Macmillan was a British Conservative politician who served as prime minister from 1957 to 1963. His government oversaw decolonization, social change, and Britain’s unsuccessful first application to join the European Economic Community.

Wind of Change speech: Harold Macmillan’s 1960 address in Cape Town acknowledged the rise of African nationalism and the end of European colonial rule. The speech signaled his government’s acceptance that African decolonization was unavoidable.
Anthony Eden: British Conservative politician who served as prime minister from 1955 to 1957. Eden’s resignation after the Suez Crisis brought Macmillan to the premiership.
Battle of the Somme: A major First World War campaign fought by British and French forces against Germany in 1916. Macmillan was wounded while serving with the Grenadier Guards during the battle.
Butskellism: A political label for the postwar economic consensus associated with R. A. Butler and Hugh Gaitskell. Macmillan’s government largely continued the mixed-economy settlement shared by Conservative and Labour leaders.
Night of the Long Knives: A July 1962 cabinet reshuffle in which Macmillan replaced seven senior ministers. The abrupt reshuffle damaged his reputation and became a lasting symbol of political misjudgment.
Alec Douglas-Home: British Conservative politician who succeeded Macmillan as prime minister in 1963. Macmillan supported Douglas-Home’s succession after resigning amid a political crisis.
Macmillan Publishers: A British publishing company founded in 1843 by Daniel and Alexander Macmillan. Macmillan’s family publishing business gave him experience in commercial and cultural life before politics.
Suez Crisis: The 1956 invasion of Egypt by Britain, France, and Israel, followed by international pressure for withdrawal. Macmillan backed withdrawal, distinguishing his approach from Eden’s failed intervention.
Profumo affair: A 1963 political scandal involving War Secretary John Profumo’s affair with Christine Keeler and his false statement to Parliament. The scandal intensified doubts about Macmillan’s government shortly before he resigned.
Rab Butler: British Conservative politician and senior cabinet minister who served under several prime ministers. Butler was widely expected to succeed Macmillan, but the party chose Douglas-Home instead.

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