Trades Union militancy 1915-27

Question 1

How did WW1 change Britain?

Answer 1

Fundamentally
- politically, economically and socially

Question 2

Where was Britains wealth built from?

Answer 2

Heavy industry - iron production and coal mining

Question 3

How many lives were lost in the war?

Answer 3

820,000

Question 4

How much of the workforce did working-class labourers make up?

Answer 4

70%

Question 5

Why were the 1920’s hard times?

Answer 5

After the post-war economic boom, industrial output collapsed.

SO employers sought to reduce wages

Question 6

Why was the general strike called?

Answer 6

1926 - coal industry reached breaking point.

Question 7

When did trade unions rise in popularity?

Answer 7

1915-26

Question 8

What government was in charge when the general strike occurred?

Answer 8

Stanley Baldwin’s conservative government.

Question 9

Did WW1 increase or decrease influence of trade unions?

Answer 9

Increase.
1913 = 4,189,000
1919 = 8,081,000 workers in trade unions

Question 10

What are trade unions?

Answer 10

• sought to unite workers
• lobbied for improved working conditions

Question 11

What was an industrial consequence of the war?

Answer 11

Many industries NATIONALISED:
- removed business owners
- allowed trade unions direct impact and negotiations with govt

Question 12

Why did the government have to cooperate with the wishes of trade unions?

Answer 12

To ensure industrial output remained constant - especially vital in and just after WW1

Question 13

How much of the population was conscripted to fight in the war?

Answer 13

Out of 15 million workers:
- almost 5 million to the army
- 407,000 to the navy
- around 300,000 for airforce

HUGE portions of workforce out of action = huge strain

Question 14

Examples of July 1915 decrease in industrial output

Answer 14

Mining produce down 21.8 percent
Engineering down 30 percent

Question 15

Consequence of war and falling industrial output 1914-1918

Answer 15

Cost of living goes wayyyyyy up
- housing
- food
- industrial and consumer goods

Question 16

What did the coal miners do by March 1915?

Answer 16

• demanding 20% increase in wages!
  The high demand for industrial workers meant the government were incentivised to appease workers and therefore the trade unions

Question 17

What did the lack of industrial workers during the war mean for Trade Unions?

Answer 17

• trade unions in a strong position to negotiate for improved working conditions and increased wages from 1915-1918

Question 18

Who were at the forefront of uniting trade union militancy?

Answer 18

Ernest Bevin and James Thompson

Question 19

When did the trade unionist realise they had the collaborate and coordinate industrial unrest to have a greater impact?

Answer 19

Before the war.