Triple Alliance (1914) facts for kids
The Triple Alliance was a powerful group of three big trade unions in Britain. A trade union is like a club for workers. They join together to ask for better pay, safer jobs, and fair treatment.
This Triple Alliance included:
- The Miners Federation of Great Britain (for coal miners)
- The National Union of Railwaymen (for train workers)
- The National Transport Workers' Federation (for workers like dockers, sailors, and bus drivers)
This group worked together to make things better for their members. It is important not to confuse this group with the Triple Entente or the Triple Alliance (1882).
Contents
Forming the Alliance
After a time of many worker strikes and protests starting in 1910, the Triple Alliance was formed in early 1914. It brought together the Miners' Federation, the new National Union of Railwaymen, and the National Transport Workers' Federation. This alliance showed a big step towards workers' groups working more closely together in Britain.
However, the start of the First World War stopped the Alliance from taking any big actions right away. Some historians believe that if the war had not happened, the Triple Alliance might have organized a huge national strike in October 1914.
During the First World War
During the war, there was a pause in trade union activities. The industries that the Triple Alliance represented – mining, railways, and other transport systems – were temporarily taken over by the government. This meant the government controlled them to help with the war effort.
After the War
Black Friday 1921
After the war, the mining industry was given back to private owners on April 1, 1921. Immediately, the mine owners threatened to cut workers' wages. The Miners' Federation of Great Britain planned to strike with their allies in the Triple Alliance on Friday, April 15.
But there was some confusion about what the miners would agree to. Because of this, the transport workers' and railwaymen's unions decided not to go on strike to support the miners. This day became known as Black Friday. Many workers and their supporters saw this as a betrayal. They felt it was a big defeat for trade unions because the Triple Alliance had failed to stick together.
The General Strike
The Triple Alliance played a key role in getting government help for miners' wages in July 1925. This day was called Red Friday. The Alliance threatened a huge national strike if the government didn't act. Mine owners had announced plans to cut wages and make miners work longer hours. The Triple Alliance's threat meant that coal production and transport could completely stop. This pressure helped the miners get some support from the government.
Sources
