HIST 417 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Red Clydeside, Planned Economy, Scottish Covenant
Document Summary
Large proportion of scots fought/died in war, clearly patriotic for british state. At the same time, rise of class-consciousness, red clydeside phenomenon. Number of left wing groups arise, marxist, socialists, labor movements etc. Also had more moderate groups which favored devolved socialism. Initial patriotic enthusiasm abates as death toll rises and war drags on. Series of strikes in 1915-1916 in munitions works along the river clyde in opposition to bringing in unskilled/female workers. 1915 rent strikes, led especially by women in independent labor party in shipyard district/other working class tenement neighborhoods. 1917-18 demonstrations in favor of russian revolution. Concerns about potential bolshevik revolution in scotland. January 1919, rally in glasgow center for general strike. Government sends in troops from english regiments, tanks, machine guns, etc. An overreaction, most people did not want an uprising. Labor can promote candidates for parliament better. 1918 reform act vote give to all men 21+ and women 30+, huge increase in electorate.
