140 likes | 312 Views
The Thatcher Revolution. The Thatcher Revolution. I. Biography II. The UK in the 70’s III. The Thatcher Revolution Conclusion. Biography. Born Margaret Hilda Roberts on the 13 th October 1925 Studied Chemistry at Oxford 1959 : MP for Finchley as a Conservative
E N D
The Thatcher Revolution • I. Biography • II. The UK in the 70’s • III. The Thatcher Revolution • Conclusion
Biography • Born 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’s • Economic, 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