knowledge test : Questions on stability and extremism 1918-1939 Flashcards
(34 cards)
Who changed the official identity of Ireland in 1937 and how?
- De Valera
- PM of Irish Free State,
- unilaterally declared independence of Eire
To what extent did it lead to instability?
- Anglo-Irish relations tense,
- especially as De Valera had already cut Ireland’s Treaty links to GB in the 1920s and faced a trade embargo from GB
- but no return to violence of 1918-21
How many Communist Party MPs were elected in the IWYs and when?
1 in 1924 and 1 in 1935.
Name the organisation the CPGB set up to represent the unemployed and state how many members it contained.
- National Unemployed Workers’ Movement (NUWM)
- 50,000-80,000.
Explain the relevance of the Jarrow March in terms of both radicalism and stability.
- Marched from Jarrow which experienced 70% unemployment to protest about unemployment,
- petition handed in to PM, returned to Jarrow
- Jarrow returned a National govt MP in 1931 = no real challenge to political system.
How many copies of the Daily Worker were sold every day?
80,000 per day
What did the Labour Party refuse to allow in its relationship with the CPGB?
Affiliation
Name the act of parliament that outlawed political violence or the advocacy of revolution
Incitement to Disaffection Act 1934
Name the Newspaper and the headline that indicated establishment support for the BUF.
Daily Mail; ‘Hurrah for the Blackshirts’
Name public two events, both involving violence, associated with the BUF.
- Olympia rally 1934
- Battle of Cable Street 1936
What do these events illustrate with regard to stability and crisis?
- BUF was composed of violent thugs
- active opposition to the BUF
- 2 days in total = no real challenge and minor instability
How many members did the BUF have in 1934 and in 1935?
50,000 in 1934; 5,000 in 1935
Did the BUF run for parliament or for local councils?
No, neither
Name the act of parliament designed to suppress military-style extra-parliamentary activity and explain how it did this and affected the BUF.
The Public Order Act 1936
Name two characteristics of the BUF and its politics that contributed to its failure as a popular force.
- political antisemitism
- violence
- association with Hitler
- cult of Moseley
- no attempt to seek political representation.
Write a list in chronological order of the governments of 1918-1939
- Coalition
- Cons
- minority Lab
- Cons
- minority Labour
- National govt
- national govt.
- 2 govts in 1930s; 5 in 1920s
Did the Labour Party achieve a majority government in 1918-1939?
no
Identify the % of total votes cast for: a. the Conservatives in 1931 & 1935;
b. the National Government in 1931; and
c. the CPGB in 1924 and 1931.
- 55.2%;53.7%;
- 67%;
- 0.3% & 0.1%
When did the general strike take place and how many workers went on strike?
- 1926
- 3m workers on strike.
How long did the general strike last and to what extent does the duration of the strike show stability or crisis?
- 9 days
- some serious instability but short-lived.
How many violent incidents took place in the general strike and is it an example of radical challenge or relative stability?
- 3000 threatened or actual incidents but mostly peaceful
- industrial challenge but working conditions motivated strike, not a politically
- motivated strike
- Relative stability as strike failed.
Name the strike-breaking organisation and explain whether it is an example of forces of stability.
- Organisation for the Maintenance of Supplies (OMS) was made of M/C volunteers who helped break the general strike = forces supporting status quo and stability.
How did the government and its supporters in the media portray the general strike at the time?
As an attack on an elected constitutional government.
Was this portrayal accurate? If not, explain what caused the general strike?
No, strike in support of miners who faced cuts in wages and increase in working hours
