Extra-parliamentary Opposition: Pressure Groups - Pacifism + Feminism Flashcards
What occurred outside of traditional framework of parl politics?
-many protest movements
-some of which tried to involve ordinary people in direct action
What is an example of these movements?
-charities such as Shelter which campaigned against increasing homelessness problem
-Age concern which campaigned against pensioner poverty
What happened from 1958?
-most signif protest movement in Br - campaign for nuclear disarmament
What did CND continue to do?
-attract lots of support + new lease of life by thatcher determined backing for policy of deterrence
-stepped up arms race against USSR in Cold War early 80s
What did CND respond to?
-1979 decision station US missiles at bases in Br
-CND responded with mass protest marches reminiscent of the Aldermaston marches 1950s
What did female protestors do in response?
-1981 female protestors set up camp outside Greenham common base where missiles being based
-other women joined as the camp became focal point for feminism + pacifism
When were the cruise missiles due to arrive and what happened?
-April 1983
-70k protestors formed 14 mile human chain of protest stretching from Greenham to Aldermaston
What did the camp become?
- a powerful symbol of feminism during 80s
-even after missiles left 1991 women remained to campaign against Trident
Why did environmental concerns continue to grow 80s?
-due to series of disasters - Ind accidents + growing understanding of implications of pollution + acid rain
What are examples of Ind accidents?
-1984 Bhopal gas leak India
-Chernobyl nuclear accident Russia 1986
What happened in Bhopal India?
-dec 1984 gas leak at pesticide factory killed 3000-8000
-thousand suffered long term heals effects - many disabling
What happened at Chernobyl Russia?
-explosion at Chernobyl nuclear power plant 1986 Ukraine
-releasing radioactive particles but those died relatively small
-but many gone to develop cancers from radiation cloud
What is an example of the understanding of the implications of pollution?
-1985 discovery of Antarctic ozone hole caused by CFC’s in atmosphere
-damage done to limestone buildings + freshwater lakes by acid rain
What are CFC’s?
-chemical compounds deplete the ozone layer in upper atmosphere
-harmful radiation from sun not filtered out effectively
What was done to combat this?
-UN agreed Montreal Protocol 1987 phasing out use of CFCs
