Protest, agitation and parliamentary reform in Britain, c1780–1928 - 5…

The idea

This topic examines key figures and major industrial disputes shaping trade union militancy. The 1915 Glasgow rent strike saw tenants successfully resist wartime rent hikes, forcing the Rent Restriction Act. The 1919 40-hour strike in Glasgow, led by figures like Manny Shinwell, demanded shorter hours to absorb returning soldiers. It culminated in the Battle of George Square but failed, forcing workers to accept a pre-existing national agreement for a 47-hour week. James Maxton, a prominent ILP figure, supported Red Clydeside agitation. Ernest Bevin gained prominence through the 1920 Shaw Inquiry and founding the TGWU, while J H Thomas led the railwaymen (NUR) and played a cautious role in the Triple Alliance, notably during Black Friday.

What earns the marks

• Explains the events and significance of the 1915 Glasgow rent strike: grassroots resistance to wartime rent increases leading to the Rent Restriction Act.
• Details the 1919 40-hour strike: Glasgow engineering workers demanding shorter hours, leading to the Battle of George Square, with Manny Shinwell acting as a key strike leader, and the ultimate failure of the strike.
• Assesses the roles of James Maxton and J H Thomas: Maxton as a radical ILP agitator on Clydeside, and Thomas as the moderate NUR leader involved in the Triple Alliance and Black Friday.
• Evaluates Ernest Bevin's significance: his advocacy for dockers at the 1920 Shaw Inquiry, involvement in the Council of Action, and creation of the TGWU.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Attributing leadership of the 1919 40-hour strike to Ernest Bevin.

  Put it right: The 1919 40-hour strike was a Glasgow-based dispute led by figures like Manny Shinwell; Bevin's prominence arose from the Shaw Inquiry and the TGWU.

• Confusing the roles of Shinwell and Maxton.

  Put it right: While both were Red Clydeside figures, Shinwell was directly involved in leading the 1919 40-hour strike and was imprisoned for it, whereas Maxton was a key ILP propagandist and agitator.

• Assuming J H Thomas supported all militant action.

  Put it right: Thomas was a moderate who often sought to avoid strikes, notably pulling the NUR out of the Triple Alliance strike on Black Friday in 1921.

• Claiming the 1919 40-hour strike achieved a 47-hour week.

  Put it right: The 47-hour week was a pre-existing national agreement that the strikers were forced to accept after their demand for 40 hours failed.

Exam tips

• When discussing the 1919 40-hour strike, explicitly link Manny Shinwell's leadership to the events at George Square and the government's fear of revolution.
• Contrast the radicalism of Red Clydeside figures (Shinwell, Maxton) with the more pragmatic or moderate national union leadership of Bevin and Thomas.