1980's- The impact of Thatcherism on Society

Question 1

What was one the aims of the sale of council houses?

Answer 1

• Turn Britain into a property owning democracy. opportunity for W/C to better themselves.
• > Social mobility

Question 2

What did the housing act of 1980 do?

Answer 2

-gave tenants the right to buy their council house

-received discount between 33% and 50% -Time dependent
=> incentivise buying

Question 3

What were the positives of the sale of council houses?

Answer 3

• Social mobility => opportunity for W/C to better themselves
• Provided gov with revenue stream
• 2 mil homeowners due to scheme by ‘98

Question 4

What were the negatives consequences of the sale of council houses?

Answer 4

-sale was predominantly in better off areas - worse impact on less desirable states

• gov used profits to reduce debt.Not reinvest into social housing
• -> Number of houses to rent decreased

–> housed in emergency B&B accommodation (expensive for gov)

Question 5

What was the response from trade unions over Thatcher’s economic reforms?

Answer 5

Aroused hostility, unions became more militant

Question 6

What were the two clauses of the industrial relations Act?

Answer 6

• (1980) secondary picketing was outlawed

- (1984) Strike Ballots

Question 7

What did rupert murdoch do regarding unions?

Answer 7

Reduce the power of the print unions

Question 8

How did Thatcher view the Miners?

Answer 8

As ‘The enemy Within’

Question 9

Was the government powerful enough to take on the miners in the early 80’s?

Answer 9

no

Question 10

How did the government prevent closure of mines in ‘81?

Answer 10

-By reducing the amount of coal imported ( protecting domestic industry and subsidy to the NCB)
(APPEASE MINERS)

Question 11

How was the government in a stronger position to take on the miners in ‘84?

Answer 11

• Stockpiling of coal
• Flow of North sea Oil –> energy crisis less likely (unlike ‘73)
• Chairman of NCB: Ian Mcgregor had gov backing
• Summer time striking –> coal needed less

–> All meant that Miners had less of a grip over gov unlike in 70’s

Question 12

What did the NCB reveal in 1984? What did Scargill claim?

Answer 12

-plan 20 pits to be closed , Scargill claimed 70

Question 13

Why were there regional divisions between Miners?Example?

Answer 13

-divided over extent of miltantancy

• E.g Notts miners formed a breakaway union
• -> Union of democratic mineworkers (UDM) - Labelled scabs traitors

Question 14

Why was Scargill Criticised?

Answer 14

• People Believed Scargill only cared about Left Wing politics rather than welfare of miners

Question 15

What was a factor in the downfall of the miners /NUM?

Answer 15

• Police:Better tactics, new equipment and experience of riot control

Question 16

How was the Role of the police criticized under Thatcher in dealing with the miners?

Answer 16

• Thatchther accused on politicizing the police (Police were he own political tool)
• used to quash the miners instead of being impartial

Question 17

What was significant about the Battle of Orgreave in ‘84

Answer 17

• 5000 picketers , 8000 police –> violent confrontations
• 50 picketers and 70 police were injured
• Timing: Strikes in Summer –>Less demand for Coal, therefore miners energy crisis less liklley. Miners less intimidating

Question 18

What was another factor for the defeat of the NUM?

Answer 18

• Scargill: Alienated Moderate supporters
• didn’t have Lab party support
• Demonised as a revolutionary by gov

Question 19

How was the outcome for Scragil and the miners a failure?

Answer 19

• Employment still falling ( 60,000 in ‘90)
• power of the unions reduced (Acts)
• Unimbebemership only 2/3 in 90’ compared to ‘79

=> Ability for the unions/ miners to intimidate gov was gone (due stocks and oil)

Question 20

What was the poll tax and what were it’s aims ?

Answer 20

-Aim: Reform local gov finances

–> make local councils more accountable to electors by ensuring everyone contributed the same amount

Question 21

Why was Poll tax seen as unfair?

Answer 21

-Hard to justify why a pensioner should pay the same as a millionaire

Question 22

How was Poll tax received?

Answer 22

• Immediately unpopular
• Anti Poll tax unions set up
• Anti Poll tax demonstrations e.g trafalgar Square ‘90 –> RIOT (200,000 people - 5000 injured)

Question 23

What effect did Poll tax have on Thatcher’s reputation?

Answer 23

• Emphasised Southern bias as it disproportionately affected the North W/C towns
• Added to the idea of how out of touch Thatcher was

Question 24

What did Thatcher do to high education?

Answer 24

-Spending cuts

Question 25

How was Thatcher portrayed in the Arts?

Answer 25

• Arts tended to be Anti Thatcher

- TV programmes showed the negative social consequences of Thatcherite policies - e.g ‘Boys from the Black stuff’

Question 26

What was the Church’s stance on the Thatcher government?

Answer 26

• Called on gov to help deprived communities

- Bishops were openly critical of Thatcher e.g David Sheppard

Question 27

Why was the CND revived?

Answer 27

-Thatcher backed the policy of deterrence and stepping up of the arms race

Question 28

What is an example of renewed activity from the CND

Answer 28

‘79 American cruise missiles stationed in England

–> CND organised mass Marches

Question 29

Why was there increased awareness over the environment in the 80’s ?

Answer 29

• Environmental disasters , e.g Chernobyl

- Dircet action groups such as greenpeace