industrial challenge

Why did traditional British industries suffer after WWI?

Lost export markets during war e.g steel; rivals like USA/Japan filled gaps → UK couldn’t recover → led to nearly 3 million unemployed by 1932/33.

What did the 1919 Sankey Commission recommend for the coal industry?

Nationalisation of coal mines. Ignored by the government; mines returned to private ownership in 1921.

What happened to miners’ wages and conditions after WWI?

8-hour day stayed, but wages didn’t rise with prices → conditions remained poor → discontent grew.

What did the 1926 Samuel Commission propose, and how did miners react?

Recommended coal industry reform + pay cuts. Miners rejected it with slogan: “Not a minute on the day, not a penny off the pay.”

What triggered the General Strike of 1926?

Miners opposed wage cuts; ~3 million workers supported them in a nationwide strike on 3 May 1926.

Why did the 1926 General Strike fail?

Not all workers joined; gov prepared early; Churchill used media to turn opinion; strike cost £4 million; ended after 9 days

What did the 1927 Trades Disputes Act do?

Banned sympathy strikes, weakened unions financially, ended automatic union subs → TUC membership collapsed by 1932.

What was the political impact of the failed strike and union decline?

Working-class shifted away from direct action → began supporting Labour Party politically instead.