General Strike 1926 Flashcards
When did the strike begin? What was The Great Trek?
The strike began on 2 May and the first day silence filled the place as essential services such as coal and transport links were cut. Workers went to the centre of London and there were early traffic jams.
Describe the response from workers early in the strike?
- 2.3 to 4 million were involved.
- 1 in 6 workers were involved in the strike.
- Printers and transport workers involved saw extensions to people across the industry.
- Of the 60,000 at the London, Midland and Scotland railway, only 1300 went to work.
Describe early violence which led to the Flying Scotsman derail.
Strikers picketed but allowed essential service through.
This led to violence.
The strikers threw stones and overturned trucks.
Transport workers were accused of being ‘blacklegs,’(someone who took over the workers and betrayed the unions).
A police force was set up by union workers and a food convoy was set up, with the army escorting this to protect them.
On 11 May, the Flying Scotsman was overturned.
What preparations had the government made?
The Organisation for the Maintenance of Supplies in September 1925. By March, there were 100,000 members. Some students wanted to drive tanks but others felt that chaos would ensue with a strike.
What work did the voluntary force do?
By May 5th the Western railway had 3000 trains and 450 volunteers. Meanwhile people would work trams and trains, as well as unloading ships at docks. More amateurs meant more accidents.
How did the government use newspapers as propaganda compared to the TUC?
Winston Churchill, Chancellor of the Exchequer, set up the British Gazette to highlight successes of the volunteers and the fail of the strike. Volunteers were said to be returning leading to Daily Mail’s support.
The TUC had a newspaper in the Daily Herald called the British Worker.
How did Stanley Baldwin use the radio?
The BBC was set up in 1922 and so Sir John Reith, Chairman of the BBC, allowed Stanley Baldwin to make broadcasts but not the TUC. Baldwin had a commonsense approach and said they would not consider negotiations until the strike finished.
When and how did the strike end? Why?
Representatives called Baldwin and told him the strike was off on the 12th.
The TUC feared increasing violence and wanted independence from the stubborn MFGB who had refused the Samuel Commission on May 10th.
They wanted to renegotiate with Baldwin!
Why was the strike a failure?
The government had organised early with the OMS and they continued services.
The public feared the threat and felt protected by the government.
Propaganda was used. The TUC had used the Daily Worker to deflect accusations and show how the strikers paralysed services. Baldwin’s commonsense approach and firm nature, refusing negotiations until the strike ended, made people admire him.
The TUC had not had preparations with essential workers in water and electricity and they poorly distributed news.
What were the effects on the miners?
They felt betrayed by the TUC. On May 14th, the owner proposals were sent and received by Stanley Baldwin who offered a 3 million pound subsidy as the mine owners still stated 10% wage cuts.
When Herbert Smith refused, the miners were locked out.
On 19th May, the Women’s Committee for the Relief of Miner’s Wives and Children was founded.
100,000 were joining the strike by 15 May as employers worsened conditions, so Ernest Bevin of the Transport and General Workers Union met with Stanley Baldwin and made him agree to action.
What were the industry effects?
Exports fell below 77 million as foreign investors went elsewhere. Owners were unable to modernise.
Exports fell to 125 million tons and small pits closed down.
Some miners, due to union links, were refused jobs and by 1927, 200,000 miners didn’t have jobs.
What was the effect on trade unions?
Membership fell to 375 million by 1930.
There was less industrial action.
In 1929 Labour was elected and the Trades Disputes Act was passed to prevent strikes from sympathy and attempts to overthrow the government.
