General Strike - Events, Fallout, Consequences

When was it announced?

3rd May 1926

How many people went on strike? (2)

1.5 million workers on the 4th May 1926

This was significant as it was a huge turnout

What did Baldwin do in response? (3)

Passed an Emergency Power Act

Allowed him to request the middle classes to work in the industries

This helped keep the country running

When did the strike end? (3)

12th May 1926

The TUC realised they were unable to sustain a strike that they can’t win

They informed Baldwin that the strike would be called off

Rise in Support (3)

Support from middle-class, non-unionised portion of the country was so strong - government felt threatened

Passed the 1927 Trades Disputes Act

Prevented sympathy strikes and mass picketing

BBC response (2)

Established its role as a public service broadcaster on the side of conservatism in British life

They broadcasted messages in support of the government's position on the strike

Miners wages (2)

Wages for miners were slashed

The industry lost 30% of its workers

Days lost to strike action (2)

162.2 million days lost to strike action in 1926

This was largely due to the General Strike

Immediate social consequence (2)

Lots of people procesed the extent of the strike as foreshadowing a working class revolution

This would be similar to the Russian revolution

Strength of unionism (3)

The strike was a disaster

The TUC ordered workers to go back to work after 9 days

They couldn’t sustain a long, drawn out strike that they may lose control of

Popularity of conservatives (2)

Their popularity increased due to their handling of the crisis

Seen as the natural party of the government

Understanding between workers (2)

Many white collar workers volunteered to operate key services eg. coal mining, driving buses

This gave them a better understanding of what working class life was like for man British citizens

Impact of the 1930s depression (3)

Economically damaging for unions

Mass unemployment meant union revenues fell away and membership declined

Decreased from height of 8 million in 1922 to 4.5 million in 1932