Labour Revolt in Britain 1910-14

Darlington, Ralph

Abstract

The ‘Labour Revolt’ that swept Britain between 1910-14 was one of the most sustained, dramatic and violent explosions of industrial militancy and social conflict the country has ever experienced.
It involved large-scale strikes by miners, seamen, dockers, railway workers and many other workers. It was a revolt dominated by unskilled and semi-skilled workers, many acting independently of national trade-union officials. It led to widespread solidarity action, phenomenal union membership growth, breakthroughs in both industrial unionism and female union organisation, and a dramatic increase in the collective power of the working-class movement. And it encouraged a process of political radicalisation that celebrated ‘direct action’ and directly challenged the Liberal government and police and military, as well as the parliamentary reformism of the Labour Party.
With new archival research and fresh insights, and combining history from below and above, Ralph Darlington provides a multi-dimensional portrayal of the context, causes, actors, dynamics and significance of the Labour Revolt. In the process, he also explores the role of the radical left and the relationship between industrial struggles and political organisation, which remains of contemporary relevance.

Citation

Darlington, R. (2023). Labour Revolt in Britain 1910-14. London: Pluto Press

• Book Type: Authored Book
• Acceptance Date: Jul 1, 2022
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Deposit Date: Mar 25, 2024
• ISBN: 9780745339030
• Keywords: Labour, industrial relations, trade union, strikes,
• Publisher URL: https://www.lehmanns.de/shop/sozialwissenschaften/59335305-9780745339030-labour-revolt-in-britain-1910-14