The General Strike

Question 1

When was the General Strike?

Answer 1

3rd May 1926.

Question 2

Who called the Strike?

Answer 2

The Trade Union Congress.

Question 3

Why was the Strike called?

Answer 3

The miners were unhappy with their pay and working conditions, they were backed by the TUC who called in other working areas.

Question 4

How long did the strike last?

Answer 4

9 Days.

Question 5

How long before hand had the government spent preparing officially and unofficially?

Answer 5

3 months officially, 9 months unofficially.

Question 6

How long did the TUC spend preparing for the Strike?

Answer 6

1 week.

Question 7

What is a General Strike?

Answer 7

A strike in which multiple industries are called out.

Question 8

Who were the four key groups involved in the General Strike?

Answer 8

Miners, Mine owners, TUC, Government.

Question 9

Who was the Prime minister at the time of General strike and whose party was he in?

Answer 9

Stanley Baldwin, the conservative party.

Question 10

What did the Government use to rally in Special Constables?

Answer 10

The “Emergency Powers” act.

Question 11

What did the Government use to organise volunteer workers to continue vital industries?

Answer 11

The “Organisation of the Maintenance of Supplies” (OMS).

Question 12

How many Special Constables volunteered?

Answer 12

200’000.

Question 13

How many volunteer workers were there?

Answer 13

100,000.

Question 14

What was the Name of the Governments Newspaper?

Answer 14

“British Gazette”.

Question 15

What was the name of the TUC newspaper?

Answer 15

“British Worker”.

Question 16

What did Baldwin claim was the real aim for the Strike?

Answer 16

To overthrow the Government.

Question 17

What fear did the Government exploit to combat the Strike?

Answer 17

The fear of Communism.

Question 18

Who were the leaders of the TUC?

Answer 18

A.J Cook and Herbert Smith.

Question 19

What was the Strike trying to achieve?

Answer 19

Stop miners wage cuts and improve working conditions.

Question 20

What did the Government do to prevent another General Strike?

Answer 20

Passed the “Trade Disputes Act” in 1927.

Question 21

How much money did the TUC have set aside for the strike and how much did they spend by the end?

Answer 21

£12 million set aside, £4 million spent.

Question 22

What date did the Strike end?

Answer 22

12th May 1926.

Question 23

When did the Miners end their strike?

Answer 23

November 1926.

Question 24

What did the Samuel Commission suggest?

Answer 24

Resume negotiations and renew wage subsidys.

Question 25

What did the Government offer the TUC in order to get them to call the strike off?

Answer 25

The promise that the Miners would be cared for. They weren’t.

Question 26

What were the consequences of the Strike for the miners?

Answer 26

They had to accept longer working hours and less pay.

Question 27

What happened to the TUC after the Strike?

Answer 27

Their public opinion dropped and their membership dropped to below 5 million?

Question 28

How many districts did the Government divide the country in to? How many areas was the country further divided into?

Answer 28

11 Divisions, 88 areas.

Question 29

When were the miners first told of their wage reductions?

Answer 29

June 1925.

Question 30

How much money did the government spend on miner wage subsidy’s?

Answer 30

£3 Billion.

Question 31

When was the Samuel Commission enacted?

Answer 31

March 1926.

Question 32

When were the Miners locked out of the mines?

Answer 32

Friday 30th April, 1926.

Question 33

How many workers went out on strike?

Answer 33

1.5 - 1.75 Million.

Question 34

What two government actions help cause the General Strike?

Answer 34

Dawes Plan 1924 and the Gold Standard 1925.