explain the reasons why ww1 had such an impact on scottish polotics Flashcards
when the munitions of war act was passed in 1915 this reinforced the ban on strikes, controlled wages, working hours and dictated conditions of service.
workers did not feel they were being fairly treated and groups such as the CWC were created who organised small-scale strikes in protest of the removal of workers rights. The government began to worry groups such as these would lead glasgow towards revolution
post war PM Lloyd George had promised scots returning home from the war ‘a land fir for heros’ but most soldures were disillusioned
this had an impact on scotish polotics as after the russian revolution of late 1917 some workers felt inspired and believed changes were possible. The STUC and CWC decided to take action in scotland and propose a cut to working hours
between the 1920’s and 1930’s some scots but not all began to question scotlands place in the union due to a growing sense of scottish identity
this was also due to anger at how the british government handled scottish economic problems and industrial decline after the war
in the 1920’s some steps were taken to make scots feel more ‘involved’ or recognised by the westminister government and thus strengthen its place within the union
the Scottish office in London was later relocated to Edinburgh which demonstrated the importance the British government placed on Scottish affairs and the Scottish secretary became the secretary of state for scotland
after the was an increasing number of scots voted for the unionist party due to their patriotic message that the war had been ‘worth it’ and now life could get ‘back to normal’
there was a sense that suffering had been endured UK wide and wasn’t unique to scotland. In the 1920’s the unionist party were scotlands biggest party which suggests a strong pro-union attitude
after the outbreak of war support for the home rule seemed uncertain and in reality most scots had more serious problems then the home rule
many scots were living in poverty or were unemployed and most believed the westminister government were most likely to offer a solution. by the mid 1920’s all 3 major political party’s, as well as newspapers and leaders of the church of scotland supported the union
after the war the scots middle class became increasingly likely to vote unionist
most saw there future as being very much part of the union and they liked the conservative message of patriotism aswell as there traditional family values. in 1918 the conservatives won 30% of the scottish vote
fear of radicalism also led to increased scottish support for the union and the unionist party
they were seen as the party of law and order - this was particularly important after their george square riots of 1919 were many in scotland feared a rise in communism
