General strike 1926

Question 1

Problems faced by mine owners after WW1

Answer 1

• Fall in demand for coal, making it less valuable
• Foreign countries such as Germany had more modern equipment as mines were owned by big, rich companies

Question 2

What happened on 15th April 1921

Answer 2

• Mine owners announced an extension of working day, as well as drop in wages
• Miners decided to strike

Question 3

What followed the miners striking

Answer 3

• Trades union congress called for all other industries to strike in solidarity
  -however dockers and railway workers pulled out last minute, so miners forced to return to work

Question 4

What happened in 1925

Answer 4

• Price of coal fell AGAIN

Question 5

What did PM Baldwin do on 31 July 1925

Answer 5

• Subsidised the coal industry, and created set up Samuels commission

Question 6

What was job of Samuels Commission

Answer 6

• to reach an agreement between Miners and Mine owners

Question 7

What happened in April 1926

Answer 7

• Baldwin’s subsidy money ran out

Question 8

What happened 3rd may 1926

Answer 8

• General strike began

Question 9

Immediate effects of general strike

Answer 9

• Ships sat unloaded in docks
• Trains didn’t move
• Coal wasn’t mined
  -country was in a standstill

Question 10

How long did the strike last for

Answer 10

9 days

Question 11

Actions of Strikers and trade unions congress during strike

Answer 11

• TUC Created newspaper to explain motivations of strike, and to remind strikers to remain peaceful
• Some strikers became violent and clashed with police
• TUC set up funds to help strikers to ensure strike carried on

Question 12

Government actions during strike

Answer 12

• Used emergency powers act to arrange for army to take over jobs
• encouraged 226,000 uni students to take over in heavy industries
• started a propaganda campaign using newspapers to turn public against strikers
• sent armoured vehicles to key cities to stop violent clashes between government supporters and strikers

Question 13

Consequences of strike on trade unions

Answer 13

• membership of unions fell
• government passes act in 1927 which made it illegal for unions to join together in strike action
• unions’ political power was weakened