General Strike Flashcards
What promlugated the General Strike?
In June 1925, mine owners demanded cuts to wages, as they lost £2.1m as gold standard made everything more expensive
How did the Government fail to stop it?
They tried to offer subsides but these were rejected= Samuel Commission Set up July. GOV failed to help negotiations therefore on 26 April 1926 owners declared a LOCK-OUT
How do the Government react to the GS?
They called a national emergency on May 1.
How long does the strike last for?
From 3 May to 12 May the TUC calls off support for the miners.
Why did the strike fail?
Baldwin set up the Organisation for Maintenance of Supplies=100,000 volunteers to supplement armed forces help to get food round the country. The TUC leadership wasn’t organised for a nationwide strike.
How did Baldwin win public sympathy?
He never directly attacked the miners or TUC , but made it about who ruled the country GOV or TUC.
What was the out come for the miners?
They continued fighting after GS over but had to accept wage cuts and longer hours, some lost jobs many faced penalites.
How did the GS affect TU?
The NUR+TGWU lost 1 million pounds each. GOV passed the 1927 Trade Disputes Act=sympathetic strikes illegal.
=TU membership dropped below 5m
How where the Conservatives affected by it?
Praised by the UC+MC’s, but workers where bitter and harsh, so unions turned against them=1929 GE result.
How was Labour affected by General Strike?
Didn’t harm them, but McDonald refused to support the strike and showed he was moderate.
