The Nazi war machine was principally targeting the vital munitions factories in an attempt to cause a major disruption to the British war effort. Modern warfare was all about who could out-industrialise the other. To out-produce imperial Germany during the Second World War the British required factory SLAVES (a curious fact overlooked by most establishment history). And the Clydebank forges were crucial in the draconian militarisation and industrialisation of Britain during both 20th century world wars.
Its important to remember that the 'consensus' First World War was actually the THIRD World War (!) the other two taking place from 1793 to 1802 and from 1803 to 1815.
But let's remember (or investigate for the first time) a brief history of what is known as RED CLYDESIDE.
People led protests against the First World War and organised rent strikes to fight dramatic rent increases. In June 1916 the rent strike leader Helen Crawfurd launched the Women’s Peace Crusade, which opposed the war.
Twenty-five thousand households refused to pay rent and hundreds of people turned out to stop evictions. The rent strikes forced the Government to rush through a Rent Restriction Act, freezing rents at pre-war levels.
Leaders of Red Clydeside included John Maclean, Mary Barbour, Agnes Dollen, Helen Crawfurd, David Kirkwood and Jessie Stephens.
''I wish no harm to any human being, but I, as one man, am going to exercise my freedom of speech. No human being on the face of the earth, no government is going to take from me my right to speak, my right to protest against wrong, my right to do everything that is for the benefit of mankind.''
John MacLean, May 1918
On 31 January 1919 a massive rally was held in George Square, in the heart of Glasgow. It is thought that as many as 90,000 men and women filled the square to support the campaign for a 40-hour week and better conditions for workers. The Red Flag was raised in the crowd. The police read the Riot Act and strike leaders were attacked. Tanks and soldiers were brought into Glasgow as the Government feared the protests would turn to revolution.
David Kirkwood
David Kirkwood was born in Parkhead in the east end of Glasgow in 1873 and worked in Beardmore's steel forge in Parkhead from the age of 14 until his election, aged 49, as Independent Labour Party MP for Dumbartonshire in 1922. He was converted to socialism while still an apprentice at Beardmore's and became active within the Amalgamated Engineering Union, helping to organise a number of engineering disputes in the Clydeside area before becoming chief shop steward at Beardmore's and helping to establish the Clyde Workers' Committee in 1914. Kirkwood also became involved in Labour politics in Glasgow, joining the ILP around 1909 where he worked closely with John Wheatley, James Maxton and Emanuel Shinwell. Kirkwood became one of the leaders of the Clyde Workers' Committee and was arrested during the riot in George Square on 31 January 1919, which became known as Bloody Friday. Kirkwood was found not guilty while William Gallacher and Emanuel Shinwell were each sentenced to five months imprisonment. Kirkwood was later elected as a Labour MP and became Lord Kirkwood in the 1940s.
The demonstrators stood up to the police. The Chief Constable attempted to read the Riot Act and had it torn out of his hands. Willie Gallacher and David Kirkwood were arrested. Pitched battles took place between police and strikers in the streets around the square.
''I was happy at Beardmore's as a free-man. I resented being in Beardmore's as a SLAVE. I was part of the Forge by nature and by inclination. I would not be part of it by compulsion'' David Kirkwood 1915
Trongate, January 1919.
Alarmed by the Forty Hours Strike called on the 27th January, the Government sent English troops to Glasgow to keep the peace and make sure that essential services were not disrupted. Six tanks and 100 motor lorries accompanied the troops, and they were sent to strategic points across the city on 1 February in a calculated show of force.
http://www.redflag.org.uk/articles/art005.html
http://gdl.cdlr.strath.ac.uk/redclyde/index.html
Red Clydeside does not belong to some dead past but to the living present.
It is our responsibility to pick up the mantle left by the heroes and heroines of that time and to honour their memory by ensuring that their vision becomes a reality.
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