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Question 1

When was the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB) founded?

Answer 1

1920

Question 2

What global event inspired the formation of the CPGB?

Answer 2

The Russian Revolution of 1917

Question 3

Why did communism become more attractive after 1929?

Answer 3

Because capitalism seemed to cause mass unemployment and poverty after the Great Crash.

Question 4

How many CPGB MPs were elected in 1945?

Answer 4

Two, representing a peak of 102,780 votes.

Question 5

In which cities did the CPGB gain local influence?

Answer 5

Glasgow, Birmingham, and East London

Question 6

How did the CPGB influence trade unions?

Answer 6

Communist activists held leading roles in unions for miners, electricians, and firemen.

Question 7

What was the role of the National Unemployed Workers’ Movement (NUWM)?

Answer 7

To politically mobilize the unemployed; had 50,000 members in the early 1930s.

Question 8

What was the CPGB’s daily newspaper called?

Answer 8

The Daily Worker

Question 9

How many copies did The Daily Worker sell daily?

Answer 9

80,000 copies

Question 10

What was the Left Book Club?

Answer 10

A CPGB-affiliated book club with 50,000 members

Question 11

Why was CPGB never affiliated with the Labour Party?

Answer 11

Labour leaders like Clem Attlee and Ernest Bevin opposed Communist influence.

Question 12

What was the Popular Front, and why did Labour reject it?

Answer 12

A proposed alliance with Communists; Labour refused due to anti-communist stance.

Question 13

Why did communism appeal in the 1930s international context?

Answer 13

It appeared to be the only force opposing fascism in Spain, Germany, and Italy.

Question 14

What was Britain’s stance during the Spanish Civil War?

Answer 14

Neutral; did not support the democratic Republican government.

Question 15

What were the International Brigades?

Answer 15

Communist and left-wing volunteers who fought Franco in Spain.

Question 16

How did the police monitor the CPGB?

Answer 16

Through surveillance and the Incitement to Disaffection Act 1934.

Question 17

What did the Incitement to Disaffection Act 1934 target?

Answer 17

Revolutionary or politically violent speech or activity

Question 18

Who founded the British Union of Fascists (BUF)?

Answer 18

Sir Oswald Mosley

Question 19

When was the BUF founded?

Answer 19

1932

Question 20

Which foreign leader influenced Mosley’s BUF?

Answer 20

Benito Mussolini

Question 21

What did BUF members wear?

Answer 21

Black shirts (inspired by Italian fascists)

Question 22

What were Mosley’s main policy ideas?

Answer 22

State economic intervention, protectionism, anti-communism

Question 23

Which newspaper initially supported the BUF?

Answer 23

The Daily Mail (‘Hurrah for the Blackshirts’)

Question 24

How many members did the BUF have by 1934?

Answer 24

50000

Question 25

What kind of people typically joined the BUF?

Answer 25

Working-class men, social misfits, right-wing aristocrats

Question 26

Why did BUF support decline after 1934?

Answer 26

Violence, anti-Semitism, association with Hitler, and declining economy concerns

Question 27

What was the ‘Battle of Cable Street’?

Answer 27

1936 anti-fascist resistance to a BUF march in East London

Question 28

What law curbed BUF activities in 1936?

Answer 28

The Public Order Act 1936

Question 29

Did the BUF ever win an election?

Answer 29

No, it never ran electoral campaigns.

Question 30

Why did the BUF fail politically?

Answer 30

Violence, racism, poor organisation, and growing public support for democracy

Question 31

What happened to Mosley during WWII?

Answer 31

He was imprisoned due to pro-German sympathies