4th May 1926: General strike of 1.7 million workers begins in the United Kingdom скачать в хорошем качестве

4th May 1926: General strike of 1.7 million workers begins in the United Kingdom

The origins of the General Strike has its origins in the British coal mining industry, which was facing increasing competition from foreign produces and a strong pound that made exports prohibitively expensive. To address these challenges to their profitability, mine owners proposed wage cuts and changes to working conditions, prompting outrage among coal miners and their trade unions. On May 1, 1926, negotiations with the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain failed to reach an agreement, leading the owners to lock over a million coal miners out of their mines. The Trades Union Congress (TUC), which represented millions of workers in other industries subsequently called for a nationwide walkout in support of the coal miners’ demands. As the strike began, essential services such as transportation, utilities, and communication networks were severely disrupted. Trains came to a halt, factories closed their doors, and newspapers ceased publication. The impact of the strike was felt across the country, causing widespread disruption to daily life and economic activity. In response the Conservative government, led by Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, declared a state of emergency and mobilised troops to maintain order and provide essential services. Volunteer workers were also recruited and trained to keep key industries operational. The General Strike continued for nine days. On May 12, the TUC called off the strike without achieving a single one of its objectives. While the strike demonstrated the strength of solidarity among workers and their ability to disrupt the economy, it also strengthened the resolve of employers to resist union demands.