Who was the greatest Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher

Who was the greatest Prime Minister? Margaret Thatcher – the Iron Lady Aim: To judge the success of Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister

My job is to stop Britain going red. Pennies don't fall from heaven, they have to be earned here on earth. Defeat—I do not recognise the meaning of the word! Oh, but you know, you do not achieve anything without trouble, ever. Unemployed people stand around as “moaning minnies”

Background • She was first elected as an MP in 1959 • Between 1970 -1974 she was Education Secretary • In 1975 she became leader of the Conservative party Margaret Thatcher Milk -Snatcher

1979 Election • In 1979 she defeated Labour Leader James Callaghan in the general election and became Prime Minister • She was Britain’s first female Prime Minister

Economy • Poll Tax Class vote: Success or Failure? – New tax for the number of people in a household – Families with lots of children paid more than families with few children • Privatisation – Parts of the country ran by the Government were changed to run by private companies

The Falklands War Class vote: Success or Failure? • The Falklands are a small group of islands just south of Argentina • They were claimed by Britain in 1833 • when European countries were ruling other lands • Argentina invaded to reclaim ‘Las Malvinas’ from Britain in 1982 • Despite the vast distance, a task force mainly of marines and Paratroops was sent and the Falklands were reclaimed

Arthur Scargill

Miner’s Strike Class vote: Success or Failure? • 1984 the government wanted to close mines and cut 20, 000 jobs • 2/3 of the country’s miners led by Arthur Scargill went on strike • The strike lasted for a year costing the government at least £ 1. 5 billion

True or False 1. The Miner’s were striking as they wanted higher wages 2. Arthur Scargill led the Miner’s strike 3. The Falklands War was won by the British 4. The Falklands Islands belonged to Argentina 5. Margaret Thatcher was the first female Prime Minister True False F T T F T

Brighton bombing Class vote: Success or Failure? • In 1984 Thatcher was at the Conservative party conference in a hotel in Brighton • The hotel was attacked by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) • Several people were killed but Thatcher survived • She refused to let the bombing stop her and carried on as normal • This contributed to the legend of her toughness

The Trade Unions Class vote: Success or Failure? • A trade union is group within a company which protects the rights of the workers • If a trade union is angry with its company or the government it may tell the workers to go on strike • In the 1970’s and mid 1980’s Britain was becoming paralysed by strikes • Thatcher reduced the power of the trade unions, allowing the country to run properly

Which events were a success for Margaret Thatcher? Success? Failure? Falklands War Miner’s Strike Brighton bombing Privatisation Poll Tax Trade Unions

What did people think of Thatcher? Who? What did they say? 1. Coal miner a. I respect Thatcher, she was prepared to fight for British land b. We hate Thatcher and the British, if only our bomb had killed her! c. Thatcher was terrible for Britain, she put many of my friends out of work d. Thatcher did well letting us use force to stop those striking miners 2. Police officer 3. British soldier 4. IRA member

Downfall

Downfall • Thatcher had the secondlowest popularity rating of any post-war Prime Minister. • On 1 November 1990 her deputy-prime minister resigned • The next day a candidate challenged Margaret Thatcher for leadership • She was forced to resign

Legacy • Margaret Thatcher was not only the first female Prime Minister • She was also the first Prime Minister since the early 19 th Century to serve 3 parliamentary terms in a row • She was nicknamed the ‘Iron Lady’ and led Britain through a difficult time

Margaret Thatcher in the Media • Spitting Image

How do you rate Margaret Thatcher as PM? • What do you think? • On a scale of 1 – 10 1 = terrible 10 = excellent • Give reasons why you gave Margaret Thatcher your score. • “I think as a Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher scores …. . because …. ”

Extension 1. Describe what you have learnt today in 5 words 2. After, describe what you have learnt today in 3 words 3. Finally, describe what you have learnt today in 1 word!