Thatcher and the political and social divisions within Britain - CLASS CONFLICT.

Question 1

where was Thatcher’s attempt to create national unity evident?

Answer 1

Her approach to foreign policy:

• for example in her speeches she encouraged national unity against the threat of Russian communism.
• during the Falklands war 1982

Question 2

how did Thatcher present the Falklands war? & how did the war create a feeling of national unity?

Answer 2

• as an affront to British values and the rights of British people
• nationalistic headlines & a surge for MT supporters.

Question 3

what was the Falklands war?

Answer 3

began in April 1982, and was conflict betwen Argentina and Britiain over who should have control over the Falkland islands.

Question 4

why did MT not like class politics?

Answer 4

it undermined national unity, she particularly disliked trade unions and she believed they put the problems of the working class above everyone else in the country causing a class divide.

Question 5

why do some historians argue that Thatcher increased social/class conflict?

Answer 5

they argue that she created more inequalities between the classes through certain policies and therefore this led people to feel less unified and loyal to their country due to society being unequal.

Question 6

what is an example of one of Thatcher’s policies that created class conflict?

Answer 6

the sale of the council houses - as ti created a divide within the working class between those who could afford to buy and those who could not.

Question 7

what were the long term- causes for Thatcher’s battle with the minor’s strike?

Answer 7

after Heath failed to go through with his action towards the minors, Thatcher wanted to finish what he started.

she also wanted to show them that the elected gov ran Britain, not the Miners.

Question 8

when did thatcher take action against the miners?

Answer 8

during her second term.

Question 9

what was the winter of discontent?

Answer 9

strikes that took place all across the country in the public sector (coal mines especially) during the coldest winter between 1978-1079 causing an anti-strike and union feeling amongst the public.

Question 10

what did the winter of discontent lead Thatcher to believe?

Answer 10

that she had public backing for a tough anti-union policy.

Question 11

who was NUM?

Answer 11

national union of miners.

Question 12

who was Nicholas Ridley?

Answer 12

one of Thatcher’s closest supporters and in 1978 prepared a strategy for dealing with NUM .

Question 13

what strategy did Nicholas Ridley propose Thatcher should enforce to deal with NUM?

Answer 13

• a law against secondary action
• the development of alternative sources of power e.g. gas or nuclear energy.
• the reserve of coal stocks so that the whole country couldn’t be held at ransom.

Question 14

what triggered conflict with the minors in the short term?

Answer 14

thatcher’s determination to reduce power and control of the minors.

Question 15

who did Thatcher appoint as head of the National coal board?

Answer 15

Ian MaCgregor, who was appointed to reform the industry.

Question 16

what did Ian MaCgregor announce regarding the unions?

Answer 16

that they were cutting subsidies to the British coal corporation and therefore close twenty pits.

Question 17

who was Arthur Scargill?

Answer 17

president of the NUM in 1981, he was well-known left winger and had defeated the heath’s government plans.

Question 18

how did Scargill respond to Ian MaCgregor’s announcement to the closures?

Answer 18

he announced a strike.

Question 19

what law passed by Thatcher made it necessary for strikes to of held a private ballot before hand?

Answer 19

the Trade unions act 1984

Question 20

did Scargill hold a secret ballot?

Answer 20

no, because he feared he would loose due to a lot of the men whose pits hadn’t closed needed the money. what was problematic about this was that it made his strike lack legitimacy.

Question 21

when did the strike begin?

Answer 21

may 1984

Question 22

what did Scargill do during the strike?

Answer 22

set up pickets on sites that were open and sites that weren’t.

Question 23

how did the government respond to the strike?

Answer 23

due to it being illegal thatcher was able to confiscate some of their funds, as well as sending MI5 agents to infiltrate the strike and find out their strategy so the government could stay one step ahead. tens of thousands of police officers were sent to Yorkshire and in some instances this causes conflict.

Question 24

what was the public opinion on the strike?

Answer 24

who supported them: the black radicals in the race today collective, the women against pit closures - who did rallies in London and was started by Scargill’s wife.
the Labour party was spit on the strikes. - most of the tabloids and press opposed the strike.

Question 25

why did Scargill’s strategy not work ( starving the economy of coal )

Answer 25

ridley’s strategy of keeping stockpiles of coal before the strike and using alternative methods of energy meant that the economy kept running as well as power stations continuing to function so there was no power cuts.

Question 26

why did the Strike come to an end?

Answer 26

they began to run low low on funds and mining comunities experienced serious hardship and were unable to provide for their families.

Question 27

what showed divisions in the miners?

Answer 27

the union of democratic miner’s went back to work in early 1985 and later on in march they decided to call of the strike, - altough scargill wanted to fight on.

Question 28

what was the impact of strike?

Answer 28

• turning point in British industrial relations
• Trade union militancy that had been a feature of the 70’s was defeated
• strikes without calling a private ballot and picketing died out
• NUM was hit hard between 1985 - 1990 they lost 84% of its members
• ## public support for Thatcher’s Anti-union policies led labour to take a step back from the unions.

Question 29

how was the strike significant in terms of political and social division?

Answer 29

it demonstrated that the government was prepared to deal with opposition in an uncompromising manner. before thatcher governments had been prepared to work with the minors.

Question 30

short term causes for the strikes?

Answer 30

• MT appointing Ian MacGregor as head of the National coal board who wanted a reduction in state subsidies leading to pit closures
• Scargill was determined to fight and win any battle over the future of British coal. -

Question 31

how many pit closures did Arthur Scargill believe would be closed in contrast to the announcement?

Answer 31

70 - Scargill responded with a strike.

Question 32

how was the presence of police during the strike cause tensions?

Answer 32

• they were quipped with horses and riot shields
• throughout the summer of 1984 there were several violent clashes with the police and minors
• such as the one in Orgreave.

Question 33

what was the Battle of Orgreave?

Answer 33

took place in south Yorkshire, 18th July 1984

• 100 minors and police were injured
• a dozen minors were arrested.