Causes of the General Strike

Coal Industry - Government help (3)

During the war, the coal industry was booming

It was so important for war effort that the government took it over and ran it instead

The government improved miners’ conditions and pay

Coal Industry - Loss of government help (2)

Coal miners had hoped that their industries would stay under government control

In 1921, mines were returned to the private owners

Coal Industry - Decline (3)

Went into decline after WWI, partly due to recession + partly due to uncompetitive trad industries

Electricity became availabe, oil was used as fuel on ships, more countries mined for themselves

Britains pits had been overmined during the war

Post WWI miners strike (3)

In response to reduced wages, miners went on strike

Other industries like shipbuilding refused to join

The strike was put down - Black Friday

Miners strike - consequences (2)

The government ended the strike and many industries eg. shipbuilding suffered pay cuts

Unions realised they needed to stand together for a strike to work

Return to Gold Standard (3)

After the return to the Gold Standard in 1925, the coal industry suffered

To prevent another strike, the government introduced subsidies until 1st May 1926

These helped support private owners to keep miners pay higher

The Samuel Commision (3)

May 1926

Appointed by the government to investigate industrial matters

Said the government should end the subsidy and cut wages by 13.5% - sides completely with mine owners