7 The Extent of Political and Social Division within Britain Flashcards
Why could there be said to be a class war?
- Dedicated to restoring the power of the gov and ending socialism
- Believed that TUs were putting the interests of the WC above the nation - battle with NUM
- Class conflict evident in the sale of council houses
How did Thatcher try to create national unity?
Encouraged national unity in her speeches of Russian Communism and of the Falklands war of 1982 - did create some national unity
How was class conflict evident in the sale of council houses?
Between the WC that could afford to buy theirs and those that couldn’t, gave the poorest people limited choice on where to live, no affordable housing
Why did Thatcher confront the miners?
Not until second term that MT felt able to confront miners. Wanted to succeed where Heath had failed, to show them that she ran GB. Felt she had public backing after the Winter of Discontent (1978-1979).
What was Thatcher’s strategy for dealing with the miner’s strike?
- A law against secondary action
- The development of alternative sources of power - gas/nuclear energy
- Reserve of coal stocks so country couldn’t be held to ransom
How did Thatcher provoke the miner’s strike in the short term?
Determination to reform GB mining and TU rights. Wanted to reduce state subsidies to the industry = 20 pit closures (actually intended 70) = devastation to towns in South Wales, Scotland and the North of England. Wanted to win against Scargill.
What didn’t strikers do that they were supposed to do?
Chose not to hold a ballot as thought those in pits that weren’t closing wouldn’t want to strike. Illegitimate strike.
What happened in the miner’s strike of 1984?
Organised pickets from pits on strike to protest at open pits. NACODs chose not to strike. Tens of thousands of police officers sent to Yorkshire and other areas but this tended to provoke conflict, several clashes between miners and police.
How did the public feel about the 1984 miner’s strike?
- RCT organised support for miners.
- Women Against Pit Closure (WAPC) supported, led by Anne Scargill. Organised soup kitchens for miners.
- Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners organised marches an fundraising.
- Labour split - left of Labour sympathised but knew the methods were wrong.
- Tabloid press and public opposed it.
How did the miner’s strike end?
Economy kept running relying more on gas and nuclear power. No power cuts. NUM low on funds and miners couldn’t provide for their families. Union of Democratic Workers (UDMW) founded in Dec 1985 to oppose NUM. NUM voted an end to the strike in 1985.
What consequences did the miner’s strike have?
- Showed commitment to new TU laws.
- 1985-1990 NUM lost 84% of its members.
- Union power reduced in 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1993.
- Labour leaders took steps to distance themselves from TUs.
- 1985-1990 94/170 pits closed
How was the Thatcher gov colonial?
- Radical rights groups argued that GB police behaved like a colonial army in Brixton, Notting Hill and Southall.
- Republicans in Northern Ireland also felt GB forces operating a colonial policy.
- Used nationalist language ‘anglo saxon heritage’ and ‘the remarkable qualities of British people’
Why was there a rise in black and asian protest?
Due to continued racial discrimination in housing, employment, education and the police, stress on cultural uniformity, impact of economic policies and sus
What was the New Cross Fire in 1981?
Fire at a house party of black teenagers, 13 partygoers killed, local black community believed it was an attack by the National Front
Why was the 1981 New Cross Fire controversial?
New Cross Massacre Action Committee established, MT didn’t issue a statement in response, contrast to deaths of white teenagers in Dublin that had official letters from the Queen, parliament and gov.
What was the Black People’s Day of Action 1981?
20,000 people marched through London to demand justice for the dead at NCF. Largest held black protest. Described as a symbolic defeat for the police.
When did Stop and Search take place (Operation Swamp ‘81) and what impact did this have?
Following the Day of Action, Operation Swamp ‘81 took place = mass riots in Brixton in which police lost control.
What impact did the Brixton riots have in 1981?
- Michael Bailey died in police custody after Brixton riots broke out
- 300 black and white youths clashed with over 1000 police officers.
- 299 officers injured, 70 members of the public hurt, 100 cars destroyed
- 28 shops and homes burnt to the ground and 100 more looted
- More riots broke out 3 months later in Manchester, London and Birmingham and Liverpool
What did the Scarman Report find, the report that forced the government to examine the role of police in the black community?
- Disproportionate and unnecessary use of stop and search against black and ethnic minority men
- Poverty, unemployment, poor housing and discrimination were key factors causing the riots
How was there ongoing social division?
Rioting broke out again in 1985 against two deaths on an estate in London - Cynthia Jarrett (died of heart attack during police raid) and Cherry Groce (shot by armed police)
How did Thatcher respond to the Scarman report?
- Rejected the idea that poverty and discrimination were causing riots
- Scarman’s proposals not implemented and little improvement made for black community
How were there changing attitudes towards race in politics?
1980s increase in the number of black and Asian MPs e.g Diane Abbott and Bernie Grant
How did TV channels like Channel 4 (1982) begin to cater for a more diverse Britain?
It had the responsibility of providing TV programmes for minority groups e.g The Bandung File (Asian currant affairs) and Desmonds (Black comedy)
How did the murder of black Stephan Lawrence from South East London in 1983 demonstrate changing attitudes?
Gov and media immediately condemned Lawrence’s murder. When police mishandled investigation it led to Macpherson Report which states that the met were racist.
How did Thatcher try to defeat the IRA?
- Believed in no negotiations with IRA or their supporters
- Wanted to deal with them by force
What did Bobby Sands want?
He had protested against prison and went on hunger strike in return for the right not to wear uniform, not to do prison work, free association with other prisoner and the right to a visit, letter and parcel per week.
What issues were raised after Bobby Sands, high profile IRA prisoner, died in 1981?
Negative publicity for the gov. Labour leader Michael Foot urged MT to compromise. Stood as a member of parliament in by election - gained one seat then died. 9 IRA prisoners died due to hunger.
What happened in 1984 in Brigton?
Bombing to target MT for revenge of BS, several MPs and their wives died but not MT or her cabinet. Tory Party Conference took place the next day as a symbol of her refusal to surrender.
What happened in the IRA bombings?
Bombing campaign in pubs in Guildford and Birmingham in 1975, Home Office arrested the wrong people e.g Guildford Four, Birmingham Six and Maguire Seven - 14 and 16 years in prison
How did people react to the wrongful arrests after the IRA bombings?
Campaigns against miscarriages of justice - TV programme World in Action 1985, 1991 it was overturned
How did Thatcher approach sexuality?
- Wanted to promote family values - hetrosexual and monogamous marriage
- Worked closely with gay colleagues and didn’t want to recriminalise homosexuality
What outbreak occurred in 1981 and what impact did it have on attitudes towards homosexuality?
First diagnosed the case of HIV in GB - associated with gay men, 1990s more hetrosexual people diagnosed. Resulted in homophobic attitudes - 1987 ¾ of people surveyed viewed homosecuality as always or mostly wrong
How did Thatcher deal with the AIDS crisis?
Safe sex campaign as a result of AIDS - promoted use of condoms
How did Thatcher express her views on sexuality through legislation?
- Section 46 of 1986 Education Act specified promotion of family life
- Section 28 of 1988 Local Government Act outlawed promotion of homosexuality
How did people react to section 28 of the LGA?
Protests by gay and lesbian groups - Stonewall founded in 1989 by famous actors like Ian McKellen and Peter Tatchell, campaigned for repeal of section 28
What social changes were present in the media in the 1980s?
- 1985 My Beautiful Laundrette film starring Daniel Day Lewis, showed a love affair between two gay men, nominated for Oscars and BAFTAs
- 1989 Eastenders screened first ever gay kiss
- 1989 Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit - BBC lesbian coming of age story that presented homosexuality in a positive light
What social changes were present in music?
Boy George and Marilyn - famous gay singers, Pet Shop Boys - Its a Sin challenged perceptions about the wrongness of gay desire
What socia changes were present in the media in the 1990s?
- 1992 Peter’s Friends - comedy which centred on gay men telling their friends they have HIV
- Madonna identified as the world’s favourite bisexual in 1992
How did John Major deal with homosexuality?
Lowered age of consent for gay men to 18
1994 invited Ian McKellen to Downing Street, publicly acknowledged that his Back to Basics campaign was not an attack on homosexuality
How did Thatcher feel about feminism?
Little interest in the discussion of women’s roles
Assumed the nuclear family was no obstacle to ambitious women
How contrasting opinions existed about feminsim compared to MT?
Selma James - spokesperson of English Collective of Prostitutes representing sex workers in GB: wanted decriminalisation of prostitution, financial alternatives to prostitution, recognition of the profession and safety of sex workers
How did feminism exist in film?
Feminist filmmaker Sally Potter made Thriller in 1979 and argued that Thatcherism undermined role of women, praised male dominated professions and stigmatised caring professions
What was the Common Woman’s Peace Camp?
Major protest in 1980s, designed to stop US missles being stationed at RAF Greenham Common Air Base, peaceful protest but press hostile
How did Major and Thatcher differ on feminism?
Thatcher declared that GCWPC should be eradicated
Major criminalised rape in marriage
