The General Strike of 1926

The General Strike of 1926 in support of the miners was the most important dispute in British industrial history. It is the only occasion on which the vast majority of the working class have given their industrial, financial and moral support to a group of workers for more than one day. This book examines the reasons for the dispute, the events and their significance for British society. It focuses on the unfolding of such events as "Black Friday", "Red Friday" and the action of the rank and file as well as the reaction of the Conservative Government and the constitutional issues raised. The author argues that the General Strike was almost inevitable, given the contending and conflicting demands of the TUC and the Government. He also asserts that it was not the unmitigated disaster that it is often presented as being. Together with an original and accessible analysis of the General Strike, the book also provides a lucid survey of existing historiography on the dispute and a useful section of key documents. The study offers an ideal update on a topic which has not produced a major textbook in 17 years.