The Profumo Affair: The Outline Of 1960s British Politics

612 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Causes and effects of cold war politics

The Profumo affair is vital for the outline of the 1960s British political history. Particularly, it suggests that political affair is a key element within the politics of planning and the rebuilding of Britain’s political government. John Profumo was the Secretary of War and was in charge of overseeing the British Army. Christine Margaret Keller became the center of the spotlight during the scandal because she was romantically involved with John Profumo and other politician leaders. Her sexual encounters caused a commotion within the national security issues. John Profumo denied any allegations that involved with Christine Keller, but eventually admitted that he lied to the House of Commons. The Profumo affair is an important factor for the history of politics because the sex scandal continues to shed light on today’s well-hidden world of sexual behaviors with the political elite. …show more content…

Profumo was married to Valerie Hobson, a former movie actress, and they both were considered to be a powerful couple. John Profumo was first introduced to a 19 year old Christine Keeler at the Cliveden estate of Lord Astor. Christine Keller was working as a showgirl in a London nightclub, but she was considered to be a prostitute. For example, Dr. Ward took Keeler under his wing and encouraged her to sell herself to high-class clientele, some of which were politicans. Keeler was also involved in a sexual relationship with Ivanov, a Soviet diplomat. After several weeks with daily conversations with Profumo, she began having an affair with the war minister. People believed that men in politics would pay Keeler for sexual experiences; however, there was no

Show More
Related

  • City Of Dredful Delight Chapter Summary

    599 Words  | 2 Pages

    Judith R. Walkowitz is a Professor Emeritus at John Hopkins University, specializing in modern British history and women’s history. In her book City of Dreadful Delight, she explores nineteenth century England’s development of sexual politics and danger by examining the hype of Jack the Ripper and other tales of sensational nature. By investigating social and cultural history she reveals the complexity of sexuality, and its influence on the public sphere and vice versa. Victorian London had upheld traditional notions of class and gender, that is until they were challenged by forces of different institutions.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Teapot Dome Scandal

    2772 Words  | 6 Pages

    Amazingly, it is not until President Nixon and his involvement in the Watergate scandal that the Teapot Dome scandal finally takes a backseat as being notoriously known for the biggest political scandal in U.S. history. This paper will illustrate how and why one man in the oil industry could so easily manipulate the presidential election of 1920 in order to set up important cabinet appointments that will enable him and a few others, to reap millions. In addition, there will be important points on a select few people and their contribution, not only to the Teapot Dome scandal, but also to the 1920 presidential nominee, Warren G. Harding. Not only did this scandal involve President Harding, but it also included Albert B. Fall, former Senator of New Mexico, Harry Daugherty, Jake Hamon of Oklahoma, along with Secretary of the Navy - Edwin Denby, the founder of Sinclair Oil – Harry Sinclair, and finally, oil tycoon Edward Doheny. This paper will also illustrate how President Harding was a “sitting duck” due to the greed and premeditated planning of just two men.

    Read More

  • The Causes Of The Iran-Contra Affair

    688 Words  | 2 Pages

    In reality, he and his security advisor, Admiral John Poindexter, had lied to Congress, shredded evidence, and refused to inform the President of details in order to guarantee his “plausible deniability”. Ultimately, the Iran-Contra investigation raised more questions than it answered. Reagan held fast to his plea of ignorance, the full role of the CIA director remained murky, and the role of Vice President Bush remained mysterious as well. The Iran-Contra affair revealed how secretive government officials undermine the Constitution and compromise Presidential authority under the facade of patriotism.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Watergate

    555 Words  | 2 Pages

    Famously known as Watergate, President Richard Nixon’s reelection campaign brought in $20 million in secret donations. Nixon told his chief of staff to inform donors, “Anybody who wants to be an ambassador must at least give $250,000”. As a result, the Federal Election Commission was set up, and Congress imposed new limits on campaign gifts as a result. The Federal Election Campaign Act, despite being backed by 75 percent of House Republicans, and 41 percent of Senate Republicans, caused immense controversy in Washington. Senator James Buckley sued the secretary of the Senate Frances Valeo on the Constitutionality of FECA.

    Read More

  • Richard Nixon: Was He Truly Conservative?

    1090 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nixon’s run as an international crook finally caught up to him in 1972, when burglars were caught and arrested inside the Democratic national headquarters at the Watergate hotel complex in Washington. Nixon attempted to cover it up, but eventually he was found caught in his own web of lies, and was forced to resign in 1974 (Lecture 30, December 12). Nixon’s promises of a return to normalcy were shattered with these revelations. The confidence in the Presidency that he had hoped to restore was even lower than it was when he entered office. If the 1960’s were defined by political and social instability, then Richard Nixon did nothing but further the sixties into the 1970’s.

    Read More

  • Confidence In The Watergate Scandal

    1567 Words  | 4 Pages

    ‘Confidence in the government declined between 1968 and 1980 largely due to political scandal’. To what extent do you agree?

    Read More

  • Family Structure In Post-War Britian

    1218 Words  | 3 Pages

    World War ǁ was a global military event, the most colossal conflict in history lasting from 1939-1945, it involved most of the worlds nations including Great Britain. WWII had far-reaching implications for most of the world. The following essay will demonstrate the changes the UK family has undergone since World War ǁ, the following essay will also throw light upon the changes in family types, economic activities of women , power distribution, laws and sexuality with respect to disciplines of sociology, economics, history and politics.

    Read More

  • Ideal Roman Women: Lucretia and Dido

    949 Words  | 2 Pages

    She then moves on to be a gracious host to all of these men, again showing success in her womanly duties. Later that night one of the visitors, Sextus Tarquinis, comes into her room, and forces himself upon her, telling her that if she does not comply he will make it look like she had an affair with one of the servants (Livy, 101). She yields to him because she does not want it to seem as if she had an affair and is not able to explain what occurred.... ... middle of paper ...

    Read More

  • Beecher Tilton Scandal

    536 Words  | 2 Pages

    While initially the affair was only known to a small group of prominent members of Mr. Beecher’s congregatio...

    Read More

  • Conservative Movements Of The 1960s

    1426 Words  | 3 Pages

    The 1960s and 1970s helped shape the conservative movement to grow in popularity and allowed conservatives to enjoy modern benefits such as economic prosperity and consumerism without conforming to liberal ideologies. The period of strong conservative support, the 1960s, usually refers to the time frame between 1964 through 1974. The grass roots mobilization started strong with the help of Orange County's middle-class men and women volunteers. The effort and hard work of these people along with economic support from businesses such as the National Review helped to spread conservative philosophy. Other contributions to the effort include community meetings, film showing, handing out pamphlets, and Fred Schwarz's school of anti-communism to inform Southern Californians of communist threat. Among anti-communism, conservatives also believe in the importance of religion, a restrictive government role, upholding traditional American values, and private business prosperity. The ethos upheld by long-time residents along with a heavy migration of people who would later join right-wing conservatism made Orange County the ideal location to enrich and expand the movement.

    Read More

  • Events in Canadian History

    1937 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Person’s Case is a great example of a political change that took place in Canada during the time frame of 1914 and 1938. After The Famous Five won their case, some change began. This event slowly changed the outlook of women across Canada. It proved that women were also persons, and capable of being in politics. In the 1920’s, women were still mainly seen as homemakers. For example,”In 1929, shortly after the person’s case, women made up 20% of the workforce. But they only worked in traditional female jobs that paid less than men.” (1) But, after the war, “They were expected to give up their jobs, and take care of their husbands and families.” (2) Even though the Person’s Case was done due to the unequal treatment of women in politics and the labour force, it also affected their respect in other fields. After World War One, “women were considered to...

    Read More

  • The Birth of Modern Politics

    1694 Words  | 4 Pages

    There are thousands of years of history that have taken place. History is not like art(less subjective), but there is still plenty of room for speculation, criticism, and debate among historians, professors, as well as average citizens. However, not all these moments are documented, or done successfully specifically. Some of these moments end up becoming movies, books, or even historical fiction novels, but what about those fundamental moments that aren’t readily documented? In the book The Birth of Modern Politics Lynn Hudson Parsons claims that the 1828 election was momentous in the history of both political history, as well as our nation. Parsons not only discusses the behind the scenes of the first public election of 1828, but the pivotal events in Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams’ lives leading up to the election as well. Parsons succeeds in proving her thesis that the 1828 election was crucial to American politics as we know it today, as well as provoking evidence from various sources with her own logic and opinions as well.

    Read More

  • The Watergate Scandal

    1554 Words  | 4 Pages

    Political leaders of the United States were, at one time, thought of as crucial members of our society. Ideally, their main goal was to represent and satisfy the needs of the American people. Unfortunately, over the last fifty years, our trust in our administrative representatives has drastically declined. Beginning with the great conspiracy theory that President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963 was actually planned by political leaders, America had, for the first time in history, begun to question its faith in its very own government. Consequently, the American people became extremely hesitant when it came to electing officials into office. Despite his loss to JFK in the 1960 presidential election, in 1968, Richard M. Nixon was elected as the thirty-seventh president of the United States. He was praised by many for his comeback after previously losing an election and seemed to be an admirable man. While in office, Nixon made many achievements and followed through with all of his promises made during his campaign. For the first time in what seemed like forever, the American people had finally elected a leader who seemed unquestionably trustworthy – or so they thought. Unfortunately, shortly after Nixon was elected to his second term of presidency in 1972, the Watergate Scandal changed America forever by creating a sense of mistrust toward the government for the American people because of The Nixon Administration’s actions.

    Read More

  • An examination of how Sherlock Holmes' abilities and techniques,

    822 Words  | 2 Pages

    of women, but I have not heard him do it of late" (A Scandal in

    Read More

  • The British Political System

    2037 Words  | 5 Pages

    It is well known that the British political system is one of the oldest political systems in the world. Obviously, it was formed within the time. The United Kingdom of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the constitutional monarchy, providing stability, continuity and national focus. The monarch is the head of state, but only Parliament has the right to create and undertake the legislation. The basis of the United Kingdom’s political system is a parliamentary democracy. Therefore, people think the role of the Queen as worthless and mainly unnecessarily demanding for funding, but is it like that?

    Read More

More about The Profumo Affair: The Outline Of 1960s British Politics

Open Document