The Thatcher Revolution

The Thatcher Revolution

I. Biography

II. The UK in the 70’s

III. The Thatcher Revolution

Conclusion

BiographyBorn Margaret Hilda Roberts on the 13th October

1925

Studied Chemistry at Oxford

1959 : MP for Finchley as a Conservative

1970 :Secretary of State for Education and Science

1975 : Conservative Party Leader

1979 : First female Prime Minister

1990 : Resigned after three consecutive terms in office

The UK in the 70’sEconomic, social and

political crisis :

Low growth, high unemployment rate, inflation

Social agitation : strikes, ‘Winter of Discontent’

Too powerful trade unions

‘Sick man of Europe’

A revolution First woman Prime

minister

Victorian values : work, family, nation, initiative spirit

‘Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope.’

New market ideology

‘Free market’ : Market without economic intervention and regulation by the government

Battle against inflation : increasing interest rates to try to slow the growth of the money supply and lower inflation

Privatisation : British Airways, Rolls-Royce…

Many difficulties :1982 : Argentina invaded the Falkland

Islands. Margaret Thatcher sent her naval forces to eject invader

1984 : 12 months Miners’ strike.

Trade unions paralysed economic performances and parliamentary democracy

1984 : Brighton Hotel Bombing carried out by the Provisional Irish Republican Army

UK and USA Margaret Thatcher and

Ronald Reagan fought together the Soviet Union

Iron Lady : ‘If you lead a country like Britain, a strong country, a country which has taken a lead in world affairs in good times and in bad, a country that is always reliable, then you have to have a touch of iron about you. »

The end of the Iron Lady New tax (Poll Tax or

Community Charge) : the property taxes were made uniform, the residential property taxes were established by the local government.

Her popularity was damaged.

Resigned in 1990, was succeeded as party leader and prime minister by John Major.

Conclusion

1979-1982 : recession

1983 : economic growth

1989-1990 : crisis

Resignation : Hard economic situation

1993-1994 : growth