Reform After The War Flashcards
What happened in terms of women at the 1918 general election?
17 out of over 1000 candidates for MP’s were women and one was voted in. She did not take her seat in protest of the British policies in Ireland
What was a woman’s education like?
Slowly improving however most women left at 14, under 1% stayed on passed 18 and it took until 1948 for Cambridge to give a woman a degree
What happened to women after the men returned? (1918)
The majority were forced back to the home and out of work
Some were relieved at this and enjoyed the home life, others wanted to keep their new found independence
They won the right to vote over the age of 30 and could become an MP, 1918, still not equality but it was a step closer
What marriage law was past? (1923)
Women could now divorce their husbands if they had evidence they had committed adultery
What was the triple alliance?
Miners, railwaymen and transport workers joined together to form a strong and powerful union named the triple alliance
What was an unexpected strike? (1918/19)
The police held strikes against low wages, this was controversial because if they were striking, people could be harmed or killed
As a result, the government made it illegal for police to strike
Why were there less strikes after 1921?
The country fell into economic depression so workers were less willing to lose jobs and days work
A reason why unemployment rose after the war?
There was less demand for non-essential goods so some industries failed
Describe the strike in 1919?
Glasgow engineering called a general strike, 70,000 showed in support so the government sent in troops and tanks to break it up
Why were the mines such a big issue for the government?
Under the Defence of the Realm act, they controlled all the mines, therefore controlled wages and conditions. The fact the miners were angry and displeased made the government look bad. Also coal dropped in price significantly which meant wages were cut even more and the work day was lengthened
Describe Black Friday? (1921)
Miners asked for the help from the triple alliance to go on a joint strike, they initially agreed. It the last minute the other two industries pulled out leaving the miners with no power, they had to accept the new (worse) terms and go back to work
Describe red Friday?
The price of coal plummeted some more, meaning mine owners announced another wage cut and hours increase. Miners got the full support of the triple alliance so the prime minister announced to keep wages the same for nine months and began to find a solution for the miners
Why was there a general strike? (1925)
The governments subsidy for wage stability ran out and mine owners reduced wages and increase hours again. The TUC previously promised to support miners in such a circumstance. This is what they did by calling a general strike
How did the government respond to the general strike? (1925)
They had planned for it, they recruited special constables and volunteers to work in key industries, they set up emergency food depts, transport and emergency services still functions with volunteers and workers not on strike however few in number
What were the TUC and government newspapers saying? (1925)
The TUC (the British worker) - gave examples of strike successes, urged non-violent protest The government (the British gazette) - how the strike was pointless and failing, the heroism of volunteers
