Red Clydeside: A history of the labour movement in Glasgow 1910-1932

Cartoons

Cartoon entitled 'The Patriot', 5 Sep 1914

Virtually from the outset of the war left wing anger and resentment was directed at the capitalist classes for what was seen as their patriotic hypocrisy and blatant attempts at war-time profiteering.

They were seen to be encouraging patriotism, jingoism and aiding the drive for young men to enlist whilst also attempting to profit from the war situation at home. Many landlords attempted to raise rents in munitions areas to capitalise on the war-time demand for housing and threatened tenants with evictions if they refused to pay the increased rents.

Ultimately the landlords push for higher rents was resisted within the effected communities and through the determination of local women and the solidarity and organisation of the workers on the Clyde the government was left with little option but to introduce the Rent Restrictions Act in 1916.

Source: Gallacher Memorial Library, Glasgow Caledonian University Special Collections and Archives