Political Extremism Flashcards
Reasons for increased CPGB support
Promised more equal and progressive society
Communism in Russia building a new civilisation
Capitalism seem to be collapsing
Unemployment
Fought against fascism e.g. Spanish Civil War
Threat of CPGP
Conservatives exaggerated threat when they tried to weaken labour
Zinoviev letter and allegations of Communist influence in general strike increased fear
Many trade union leaders sympathetic
However only ever had pockets of support
Which strikes were the CPGB involved in?
Lancashire cotton 1932
Birmingham rent 1939
The CPGB in the national unemployed workers movement
Gave advice and organised hunger marches
50,000 members early 30s
Often violent confrontations with police
CPGP and daily worker
Daily circulation of 80,000 copies
Membership doubled in the 30s
CPGB in universities
Cambridge ‘Apostles’ later became spies
CPGB weaknesses
Membership peaked at 18,000
Labour refuse to work with them
Secret Service kept an eye on them
Never had an outstanding leader
The BUF
Formed October 1932 by Oswald Mosley
Support from the Lord Rothermere (Daily Mail)
50,000 members by 1934 (peak)
Reasons for BUF support
Most support from London and northern cities like Liverpool
1931 to 4 disillusionment with other parties which contrasted with dynamism in Italy and Germany
Tariffs to protect textile industry increased support in the north
Support from those who wanted better Germany relations to avoid war and communism
Mosley’s strengths
Powerful speaker
Plan to reduce mass unemployment
Published three books and wrote articles
Anti-Semitism appeal to east end and Manchester however this also caused them to lose support
Weaknesses of the BUF
1935 membership declined 5000
No MPs all local councillors elected
Lost support through association with Germany
Lost Lord Rothermere support after violent rally
Mosley’s weaknesses
BUF too dependent on his leadership which was alien to British politics Have no plan Very little funding He was impatient and a poor admin Reputation as thugs
Reasons why political extremism failed
Very stable political system
National government have huge Parliamentary majority in place for nine years
Trade unions fought against Communist influence
Labour attracted attempts at popular front against fascism
Unemployment reduced by 1937 economy not that bad and middle-class weren’t affected
Incitement to disaffection act
1934
Used to prosecute anyone advocating revolution or violence
Public order act
1936
Forbade wearing of political uniforms and gave police greater powers to control and ban political meetings and demonstrations
