January 31, 2019 was the centenary of one of the most violent episodes of social and political conflict in Scotland over the course of the twentieth century. Taking place in the heart of Glasgow, the ‘battle of George Square’, otherwise referred to as ‘Bloody Friday’, is widely remembered as one of the most vivid and important events of the period referred to as ‘Red Clydeside’. The Red Clydeside era (1914-1920s), and the events of 1919 in particular, have been the focus of political controversy for many decades; controversy which is reflected in ongoing arguments and debates. The centenary of the 1919 battle/riot/rebellion (depending on your standpoint) has provided the opportunity for more arguments to come to the fore.
The main aim of this material is to provide an introduction to Red Clydeside, to consider the developments that led to the events in Glasgow in January 1919, and to reflect on the enduring legacies of this period. The controversy around Glasgow 1919 and Red Clydeside more generally is a key element of this material.
A secondary aim has been to provide a guide to previous research, writing and published output of many varied kinds, as well as accounts of the events on Clydeside provided in other forms of media.
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Download your free 'The Secret History of Our Streets: Scotland' newspaper
Read now to access more details of Download your free 'The Secret History of Our Streets: Scotland' newspaperFind out all the breaking news in the university edition of the The Street newspaper.
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Section 1: Introducing ‘Red Clydeside’
Read now to access more details of Section 1: Introducing ‘Red Clydeside’Our Red Clydeside collection focuses on the arguments and controversies around the Battle of George Square, Glasgow 1919. Find out more about our free learning resource...
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Section 2: Red Clydeside and Glasgow 1919: Setting the Context
Read now to access more details of Section 2: Red Clydeside and Glasgow 1919: Setting the ContextWorld War One and in the years that followed, the UK witnessed the outbreak of a number of large-scale disputes, strikes and protests across the UK and Ireland. The Clydeside region was one of the most significant industrial centres in the entire UK and, thus, no exception...
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Section 3: Red Clydeside: Key Issues and Key Events
Read now to access more details of Section 3: Red Clydeside: Key Issues and Key EventsExplore the background to the struggles of Red Clydeside.
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Section 4: Enduring Controversies around Glasgow 1919: (Mis)representing Red Clydeside?
Read now to access more details of Section 4: Enduring Controversies around Glasgow 1919: (Mis)representing Red Clydeside?Red Clydeside has given rise to many competing historical interpretations, arguments and 'alternative facts'. How can we make sense of these continuing debates?
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Section 5: Legacies: Does Red Clydeside still matter today?
Read now to access more details of Section 5: Legacies: Does Red Clydeside still matter today?In what ways did the socialist ethos of Red Clydeside continue to inspire protests in Scotland a century later?
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Section 6: Introduction to Learning Resources on Red Clydeside
Read now to access more details of Section 6: Introduction to Learning Resources on Red ClydesideEnjoyed our collection on the Red Clydeside? Check out more learning resources...
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