Trade unions and the economy in the 1970s
Study note
For much of the time after the Second World War, Britain enjoyed an economic boom with rising prosperity. In the late 1970s, however, this boom came to an end. Prices rose sharply and the value of the pound became unstable, making life harder for many families.
These difficult conditions led to industrial unrest. Many industries were hit by strikes, and this caused serious tension between the trade unions and the government of the day. Some people began to argue that the trade unions had become too powerful. This debate about union power helped set the scene for the changes brought in by Margaret Thatcher's government in the 1980s. So remember the late 1970s for rising prices, an unstable pound and widespread strikes.
Memory tip: Late 1970s: rising prices and strikes; debate over the power of the trade unions.
Practise this topic
Question 1 of 2 · true or false
In the late 1970s, many industries were affected by strikes, causing tension between trade unions and the government.
Show all questions and answers for Trade unions and the economy in the 1970s(2 questions with explanations)
Trade unions and the economy in the 1970s: questions, answers and explanations
1. In the late 1970s, many industries were affected by strikes, causing tension between trade unions and the government.
- True
- False
Correct answer: True
True. Strikes in the 1970s caused tension between the unions and the government.
2. What happened to the post-war economic boom in the late 1970s?
- It grew even faster
- It came to an end, with rising prices and an unstable pound
- It was caused by joining NATO
- It was unaffected by strikes
Correct answer: It came to an end, with rising prices and an unstable pound
The post-war boom ended in the late 1970s, with sharply rising prices.
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