22 - The Impact Of Thatcherism On Society Flashcards
What impact did Mrs Thatcher’s government have on society? What were 2 feelings the government created?
A divisive impact
Beneficiary and alienation feelings
What was one of Thatcher’s most popular capitalist policies? What was the idea behind this?
Selling of council houses to tenants
Tenants would have more stake in society
How much money did the sales of council houses raise? How many homes were sold?
£18 billion
1.24 million
What was a downside to the sales of council houses? Why was this?
Shortage of public sector stock
Many tenants could’ve bought new houses on the open market
What were the early years of Thatcher’s 2nd ministry dominated by? What had Thatcher called to be closed down?
Miners’ strike
Unprofitable pits
How long had unprofitable pits really been closing down for? What was this an example of in society?
20 years
Continuity over change
What did the closure of pits present the breaking down of? Who had the NUM recently elected as their new President?
Union power
Left-wing Arthur Scargill
What was Scargill responsible for in the 1972 miners’ strike? Who did Thatcher appoint as Chairman of the NCB?
Flying pickets
Ian McGregor
What was Ian McGregor appointed to modernise? What was he to close down?
Modernise industry
Unprofitable pits
What company had McGregor done a similar job in?
British Steel
Where were many pit areas closed down? Where did most local men work there?
Close-knit communities
In the mines
Why would pit closures be devastating in close-knit communities? What was the miners’ scene set for?
There wasn’t a lot of other employment
Bitter confrontation
What did the NUM call for without a ballot? Why?
Strikes
Fear of losing the ballot
What did Employment Acts in the 1980s reduce? What 2 things became illegal?
Union power
Mass picketing and closed shop
What did strikes have to undergo under the Employment Act? What was the government stockpiling in case of a strike/emergency?
A formal ballot
Coal
