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From The Socialist newspaper, 17 August 2011
The Great Unrest 1911
When the press raged about 'mob rule'
Jack Palmer
"Mobs" control British cities. "We are facing an absolute disintegration of society." "Yesterday mob law reigned in London." "Mob law is in fact supreme". "It is what one might call a reign of terror."
These quotes are not from the recent riots but from newspapers 100 years ago. Then the 'mob' was trade unionists and their families fighting for a pay rise.
For young workers today the study of the strikes of the Great Unrest will provide many valuable lessons.
Instead of a few hundred out on the streets, in 1911 the 'mob' sometimes numbered 100,000 and they would march the streets of the east end of London three times a day - it was more like a revolt of the poor. The police were powerless against such vast numbers.
With shade temperatures above 100°F, the Times newspaper theorised that the hot weather caused many of the men "to lose their heads". Like today, there was no attempt to understand the real causes of the unrest.
The workers were winning. The Times commented: "As we write the sands are running out, the period of truce is coming to an end, and in a few hours we shall know whether it is peace or war."
The Riot Act was read in ten places and every city and major town reported disturbances between strikers and the police.
The conservative Morning Post considered that, "open revolution" was closer at hand than at any time in living memory and advocated: "The time has come for a whiff of gunshot." To end the strike, the King demanded that the troops: "should be given a freehand and the mob should be made to fear them."
The government obliged. Churchill, the home secretary, following "disturbances of a serious character" moved a Guards Brigade and the Aldershot garrison into London's parks - 25,000 troops to support the police.
The warship Antrim was anchored in the Mersey. There were an extra 2,400 police and 5,000 troops in the city. The Gordon Highlanders were dispatched to Sheffield, and many other areas were occupied by troops, including Derby, Leeds and Bradford. Even the Irish Command mobilised for transfer.
But the troops could not quell the anger of the strikers. The government and the bosses conceded defeat and wage increases were paid.
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In The Socialist 17 August 2011:
The street eruptions and aftermath
Con-Dems to blame for anger of youth - mass, trade union-led workers' response needed
After the riots... A mass workers’ movement is needed
Tell the TUC - call a 24-hour public sector general strike!
Birmingham peace rally shows need for jobs and services, not cuts
North London Unity demo - 'Workers and youth, unite and fight'
Defend council tenants from eviction!
Build strike action to defeat Con-Dems
Vital services "dying" because of cuts
Extracts from a statement from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU):
Youth workers' warnings ignored across the country
Trade union branch model resolution
Socialist Party news and analysis
World economy: Capitalists unable to stop the turmoil
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
EDL try to act as vigilantes in Leicester
Winston Silcott - framed by the police and justice system
Socialist Party youth and students
Doors continuously shutting on young people's futures
Youth march in Wales to demand jobs
Socialist history
Socialist Party workplace news
Massive vote to continue action against Southampton cuts
Angry construction workers meet to plan strike action
Reinstate Paddy Brennan at Honda
Comments and reviews
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