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

Events

Cydeside Anti-War Movement 1914-16

Britain's role and involvement in the first world war was fiercely opposed by a number of political groups on Clydeside. The Independent Labour Party and the Socialist Labour Party, along with various anarchist groups, were vociferous in their condemnation of what they considered an imperialist war. Suffragette groups like the Women's Peace Crusade also organised rallies on Glasgow Green throughout the period 1914-16 to oppose the first world war.

Those on the left who were critical of the aims of the war regarded it as being fought to benefit the forces of capitalism and the imperial aspirations of countries like Germany, Britain and the USA. They argued that the working classes, regardless of nationality, would gain no advantage from the war. These arguments gradually gained credence amongst many workers when examples of war-time financial speculation and profiteering became public.

Speculation on the stock markets saw many investors make substantial profits from dealing in shares of companies who were soon to be involved in the manufacturing of munitions for the war effort. Blatant examples of profiteering were also uncovered by those on the left. This profiteering saw many large firms net vast fortunes in the first months of the war from government contracts, at a time when there were no legislative restrictions on war-time profiteering.

Despite repeated assurances that conscription would not be introduced under any circumstances, Lloyd-George's coalition government failed to live up to their promise and introduced the Military Services Bill in 1916.

The introduction of conscription, like Britain's involvement in the war, was opposed by the main socialist groupings on Clydeside, although this time they had the support of many liberals.