Red Clydeside

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Where was Clydeside and what was its importance?
Scotland- had a significant proportion of British munitions factories. It had a strong association with socialist politics as a Labour stronghold
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When was the Glasgow Rent Strike
1915
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Why could landlords raise rent in wartime Glasgow?
There were about 70,000 more residents than there were pre-war and the increased demand meant landlords could charge more- if tenants could not pay they would be evicted
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What effect did the rise in rent have on tenants, what happened if they didn't pay?
It hit hardest the women whose husbands were away with the army - landlords could obtain a court order to allow forcible eviction and to take property to make up for the missing rent
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Who led the protests against the raise in rent?
Mostly women - main organiser was Mary Barbour
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What did the protesters do during the Glasgow rent strike?
They blocked bailiffs entering properties and picketed the houses of landlords who had evicted tenants
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How many people joined the strike by Nov 1915?
25,000
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How did the committees of workers in munitions factories and dockyards show their support for the strike and what was the gov's response?
They threatened to sympathy strike, in every industrial area across Glasgow. To avoid strikes the gov ordered the police to halt legal action against protesters
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Why was the Glasgow rent strike a real concern for the gov?
Threatened strikes in vital munitions factories where there were shortages, gov was wary of angering unions since the 1915 munitions act prevented workers changing factories for better paid jobs without permission which had angered the Unions
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How was the strength of the unions demonstrated through the Glasgow Rent Strike?
Glasgow Women's Housing Association, Clyde Workers Committee and Independent Labour party worked together showing efficacy of co-operative union pressure, ability of unions to pressure gov. demonstrated
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What stance did employers take during the Glasgow rent strike?
They supported the strikers as they feared conflict with the workers over an issue that didn't involve them
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When was the Rent Restriction Act introduced and what was its significance?
1915 - it guaranteed pre-war rent levels would be fixed until the end of the war.
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What was the role of the ILP during the glasgow rent strike?
supported the protests and voiced the concerns of the workers, strengthening the Unions nationally
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When did the 40-hour strike take place?
1919
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What was the working week like according to gov policies?
54 hour week, working 6am to 5:30pm mid-week and until noon on saturdays
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How did international events inspire the 40-hour strike?
Bolshevik seizure of power in 1917 and Spartacist uprising in Germany encouraged workers hoping for change
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In Jan 1919 what did the Clyde Workers' committee decide to do?
On 27th they began a strike in which 70,000 workers stopped working in Glasgow. On 29th they presented a petition for a 40hr week to parliament
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What was the response from parliament to the request for a 40hr week?
It was rejected
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How did the protesters respond to the defeat?
Fighting broke out between the protester and the police. Fighting lasted several hours around glasgow. 19 policemen and 34 strikers were injured
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How did the gov. respond to the strike?
They deployed 6 tanks and many troops to restore order- machine guns were sited on high buildings
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What was the outcome of the 40hr strike?
It failed, however, soon after, the national engineering unions succeeded in obtaining a 47hr week
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What did the 40hr strike demonstrate about industrial action?
It could be a threat- gov responded strongly which showed they feared revolt and unrest. Industrial actions were seen in the light of the Russian Revolution as revolutionary actions
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Why did the 40hr strike strengthen links between the Independent Labour Party and the Unions?
The group presenting the petitions included Labour MPs and a number of militant leaders of 1919 became labour MPs in the 1922 election
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

When was the Glasgow Rent Strike

Back

1915

Card 3

Front

Why could landlords raise rent in wartime Glasgow?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What effect did the rise in rent have on tenants, what happened if they didn't pay?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Who led the protests against the raise in rent?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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