Battle of George Square
The "Battle of George Square", also known as "Bloody Friday" and "Black Friday", was one of the most intense riots in the history of Glasgow; it took place on Friday, 31 January 1919. The dispute revolved around a campaign for shorter working hours, backed by widespread strike action. Clashes between the City of Glasgow Police and protesters broke out, prompting the Secretary of State for War Winston Churchill to order soldiers and tanks to the city to prevent the violence from escalating due to fears by the UK government of a Bolshevist uprising. It was described as a "socialist revolution" by supporters, as had happened in the 1917 Russian Revolution, and was occurring in Germany and in the Austro-Hungarian Empire while the 'Forty Hours' strike unfolded.
primaryTopic
Battle of George Square
The "Battle of George Square", also known as "Bloody Friday" and "Black Friday", was one of the most intense riots in the history of Glasgow; it took place on Friday, 31 January 1919. The dispute revolved around a campaign for shorter working hours, backed by widespread strike action. Clashes between the City of Glasgow Police and protesters broke out, prompting the Secretary of State for War Winston Churchill to order soldiers and tanks to the city to prevent the violence from escalating due to fears by the UK government of a Bolshevist uprising. It was described as a "socialist revolution" by supporters, as had happened in the 1917 Russian Revolution, and was occurring in Germany and in the Austro-Hungarian Empire while the 'Forty Hours' strike unfolded.
has abstract
The "Battle of George Square", ...... 'Forty Hours' strike unfolded.
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Wikipage page ID
Wikipage revision ID
738,054,841
Caption
David Kirkwood and Willie Gallacher being detained by police at the City Chambers
casualties
causes
*Anger with 53-hour working week
*Unemployment
date
1919-01-31
goals
*Reduced working week
*Reduced unemployment
howmany
leadfigures
De-Centralized Leadership
Lord Provost Sir James Watson Stewart
Sheriff MacKenzie
methods
*Strike action
*Rioting throughout Glasgow
*Running battles with police
result
side
Protesters
*Striking workers
title
Battle of George Square
subject
comment
The "Battle of George Square", ...... 'Forty Hours' strike unfolded.
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label
Battle of George Square
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