When Britain ran its roads
Thatcher did not start the roll back of postwar nationalisation. Capitalism’s unease at state control of the British economy surfaced as early as 1953…
Historic Notes
Historic Notes
1707: The Treaty of Union
Great Britain was born as a state in 1707. In essence, the Treaty of Union was a formal recognition of the ascendancy of capitalism over feudalism in all of this country. Once united, the combined resources and talents of the two countries were at the service of capital.
1921: The ‘Poplarism’ struggle
The aim of the Poor Laws was always to punish the poor. By the start of the 20th century that policy was beginning to erode. But it took working class resistance to finish them off.
The early 1800s: national workers’ organisation arrives
It was during the first half of the 1800s that a nationally organised working class first emerged throughout Britain with centres in for example Sheffield, Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Glasgow and the West Country.
1926: The General Strike
At a time when some are calling for a General Strike we need to get clearer about what happened last time there was one in Britain…
1941: The battle for Moscow
Seventy years ago the world held its breath as Nazi troops came up to the gates of the Soviet Union’s capital city... It was not only the greatest battle in the Second World War but also the largest battle ever fought between two armies.
1956: Britain, France and the Suez Canal crisis
The Suez Crisis and ensuing war saw a fundamental change in both imperialist alignments and nationalist movements in the Middle East.
1863: The First International
The International Workingmen’s Association united a variety of different political groups and trade union organisations to further the prospects of the working class.
The 1810s: The Luddites act against destitution
Luddite machine breaking began in 1811 in the hosiery districts of the Midlands counties but quickly spread. More and more factories began installing machinery and increasingly handloom weavers were thrown out of work.
Stalingrad: the battle that saved the world
In late 1942 and the beginning of 1943, the most momentous battle in modern history was fought out in a city on the Volga River – Stalingrad. On its outcome rested the fate of the world.