1. Bloody Friday January 31 st, 1919

2. Why was there a resurgence of “Red Clydeside” at the end of the War? Declining orders as wartime demand ended Declining orders as wartime demand ended Accelerating demobilisation flooded the labour market Accelerating demobilisation flooded the labour market The Armistice meant the removal of wartime regulation of wages and rent- control The Armistice meant the removal of wartime regulation of wages and rent- control Inspiration of the Russian Revolutions of 1917 and the German Spartacist Revolt of late 1918-early 1918. Inspiration of the Russian Revolutions of 1917 and the German Spartacist Revolt of late 1918-early 1918.

3. The 40-Hours Dispute The Scottish Trades Union Congress asked for a reduction in the working week to 40 hours, from 54, partly to ease conditions but also to generate jobs for returning ex- servicemen. The Scottish Trades Union Congress asked for a reduction in the working week to 40 hours, from 54, partly to ease conditions but also to generate jobs for returning ex- servicemen. The Clyde Workers Committee asked for a reduction to 30 hours, much to the horror of employers. The Clyde Workers Committee asked for a reduction to 30 hours, much to the horror of employers.

4. Industrial Action Begins 36, 000 miners in the Lanarkshire and Stirlingshire coalfields came out in support of the demand. 36, 000 miners in the Lanarkshire and Stirlingshire coalfields came out in support of the demand. Belfast came to a standstill. Belfast came to a standstill. By Monday January 27 th, all Glasgow’s big factories were out on strike. By Monday January 27 th, all Glasgow’s big factories were out on strike. One power station was closed down, so voltage was reduced throughout the city and Glasgow’s trams were affected. One power station was closed down, so voltage was reduced throughout the city and Glasgow’s trams were affected. Some support outside Glasgow, but the city remained tha main focus for action. Some support outside Glasgow, but the city remained tha main focus for action.

5. “Bloody Friday” While strike leaders negotiated in Glasgow City Chambers, 100,000 or so strikers and demonstrators were protesting in George Square outside. While strike leaders negotiated in Glasgow City Chambers, 100,000 or so strikers and demonstrators were protesting in George Square outside. Apparently unprovoked, the police charged with batons several times Apparently unprovoked, the police charged with batons several times -to restore tram services disrupted by strikers -quell those seen as “revolutionaries” Strikers responded with whatever came to hand, mostly lemonade bottles and railings. The fighting continued all day. Strikers responded with whatever came to hand, mostly lemonade bottles and railings. The fighting continued all day.

6. The Scottish Secretary said the situation was not a strike but “a Bolshevist (communist) uprising”. The Scottish Secretary said the situation was not a strike but “a Bolshevist (communist) uprising”. The red flag was seen flying over the Square. The red flag was seen flying over the Square. Key figures, Shinwell, Kirkwood and Gallacher, were arrested. Shinwell and Gallacher were later convicted of incitement and served 5 months each in prison. Key figures, Shinwell, Kirkwood and Gallacher, were arrested. Shinwell and Gallacher were later convicted of incitement and served 5 months each in prison.

7. Government Response A full battalion of Scottish troops were A full battalion of Scottish troops were stationed at Maryhill Barracks, but there was fear that they would refuse to fire on their fellow-Scots, so 12,000 English troops were summoned north. stationed at Maryhill Barracks, but there was fear that they would refuse to fire on their fellow-Scots, so 12,000 English troops were summoned north. Machine gun posts were set up at the main post office, the City Chambers and some hotels. Machine gun posts were set up at the main post office, the City Chambers and some hotels. Six tanks were stationed at the Cattle Market and 100 army lorries were placed on the streets of Glasgow Six tanks were stationed at the Cattle Market and 100 army lorries were placed on the streets of Glasgow

8. The Aftermath The strikes had collapsed by a week later. The strikes had collapsed by a week later. A 47- hour working week was agreed. A 47- hour working week was agreed. Many Glasgow workers saw government action as further repression. Many Glasgow workers saw government action as further repression. There was increased fear amongst the middle classes. There was increased fear amongst the middle classes. There was a growth in Labour support, particularly for the ILP. There was a growth in Labour support, particularly for the ILP.

9. Revolutionary? Disorder was sparked by police over- reaction, not as an organised attempt to seize power. It was spontaneous. Disorder was sparked by police over- reaction, not as an organised attempt to seize power. It was spontaneous. The protestors and strikers were concerned about a shorter working week, rising rents, the probability of rising unemployment and dilution. They had no specific or wider political agenda. The protestors and strikers were concerned about a shorter working week, rising rents, the probability of rising unemployment and dilution. They had no specific or wider political agenda. The CWC’s demand for a 30-hr week wasn’t widely accepted, even by Labour, the main organiser of the strikes. The CWC’s demand for a 30-hr week wasn’t widely accepted, even by Labour, the main organiser of the strikes.