trade unions and the liberal party

Question 1

background to trade unions

Answer 1

-since 1880s, unionism on rise and trade union membership grew considerably
-concessions made to workers due to 1880s strikes
-taff vale, Osborne (trade unions couldn’t use members’ funds for political purposes without explicit consent) and Lyons vs Wilkins
-greates growth from 1910-1914

Question 2

trade unions 1910-1914

Answer 2

-seen as the period of ‘great unrest’
-membership reached 4 million by 1914
-good economy: workers felt confident to ask for better wages

Question 3

trade union industrial action

Answer 3

-south Wales coal field 1910: dispute over payment for miners led to several strikes and violent confrontations
-tonypandy 1911: one man died
-June 1911: seamen’s union went on strike and railway men came out in swympathy
-1912: strikes at London docks

Question 4

syndicalism

Answer 4

-offshoot of socialism
-wanted to encourage sympathy strikes from other unions to pressure gov and employers and other throw capitalism
-Labour Party condemned it

Question 5

liberal policy with trade unions

Answer 5

-troops used to break up strikes, bringing criticism
-lloyd George proved to be effective at averting strikes and mediating differences between workers and employers
-minimum wage act for mining passed
-national insurance act passed
-strikes over Econ issues rather than political