the hungry thirties 1929-1939 Flashcards
(13 cards)
Who founded the British Union of Fascists (BUF)?
Oswald Mosley
What event in 1934 damaged the BUF’s public reputation due to violent behaviour?
Olympia Rally
The Public Order Act (1936) did what?
Banned political uniforms and restricted marches
What was the estimated BUF membership peak before its decline?
50,000
What was the main reason the Battle of Cable Street became historically significant?
It was a successful anti-fascist protest
What were the key policies or beliefs of the British Union of Fascists?
-Anti-communism
-Nationalism and racial superiority (later anti-Semitism)
-Support for a corporate state/dictatorship
-Economic protectionism
-Opposition to parliamentary democracy
what happened at the Battle of Cable Street in 1936?
-BUF attempted to march through East London’s Jewish areas
-Met by around 100,000 anti-fascist protesters
-Violent clashes with police
-BUF forced to cancel the march
-Seen as major public defeat for fascism
reasons why political extremism failed to gain mass support in 1930s Britain
-Stable parliamentary democracy
-Effective government response (e.g. Public Order Act 1936)
-Less severe depression than in Germany
-Strong anti-fascist public opinion and media
-Violent image of BUF turned people away
How did the Public Order Act 1936 affect extremist political movements?
-Banned wearing of political uniforms (e.g. Blackshirts)
-Gave police powers to control marches
-Severely restricted BUF’s ability to campaign publicly
-Reduced visibility and appeal of extremist groups
What role did the Communist Party of Great Britain play during the 1930s?
-Small, vocal minority party
-Involved in hunger marches, anti-fascist protests, and union activism
-Supported the Soviet Union
-Had limited electoral influence
What happened in the Olympia rally (1934)?
-BUF meeting disrupted by protesters.
-Mosley’s blackshirts violently attacked opponents.
-Negative press coverage → membership fell sharply.
-Public and political opinion turned against the movement.
What happened in the Battle Of Cable Street October (1939)?
-BUF attempted a march through Jewish areas of East London.
-Met by 100,000 anti-fascist demonstrators (Jews, trade unionists, socialists).
-Police tried to clear a path; protesters blocked the march.
-BUF forced to abandon; event became iconic anti-fascist moment.
Key points about the Communist Party Of Great Britain (CPGB)
-Small but vocal; supported Soviet model.
-Gained some support among the unemployed and intellectuals.
-Involved in hunger marches, anti-fascist activities, and trade union activism.
-Limited electoral success – never became a mass movement.
