A People's History homepage
Twentieth Century Workers' Rights Stories

'The most dangerous man in Britain'

The gripping story of an MP's radicalism, persecution and outspoken commitment to working class rights during the General Strike.
A historical black-and-white studio portrait of an Indian man with dark hair, a high forehead, and a slight smile. He is dressed in formal early-20th-century clothing, including a dark jacket, a white stiff collar shirt, and a wide silk or satin tie. The picture has a coarse, half-tone printing texture typical of old newspaper archival clippings.
King John and Magna Carta Spotlight

Matilda de Braose - more than a gruesome end
An eighteenth century stipple engraving of a middle-aged man, Thomas Hardy, founder of the London Corresponding Society.
King John and Magna Carta Spotlight

The ideal medieval king

Discover how decoding John's seal with your students can help their understanding of the expectations of medieval kings, and where John fell disastrously short.

A front and reverse image of a circular wax seal of King John placed on a felt background. The front of the seal depicts John seated on his throne holding a sword to represent justice. On the reverse we see John depicted on horseback, to represent his duty as a military leader.
Gender Equality Sources

Seven Demands: How did women in Britain fight for their rights?

Seven sources to introduce the women’s liberation movement in Britain and the seven key demands they campaigned for over the course of the 1970s.

A historic black and white photograph capturing a dense crowd of women marching down a commercial city street during a protest. In the foreground on the right, protestors hold aloft a very large, prominent white banner that reads Women Unite for Womens Liberation in bold black block lettering. Surrounding marchers carry smaller signs advocating for free contraception, equal pay now, and nurseries, while onlookers and traditional storefronts like The Needlewoman Shop line the background street under a light snowfall or rain.
Campaigns for racial equality Stories

Elizabeth Anionwu and Sickle Cell Disease

Use this article on sickle cell disease to inform your teaching of Black and global majority rights in 20th century Britain.

Campaigns for racial equality Stories

The Huntleys and the Black Education Movement

Use this article on the Black Education Movement to inform your teaching of Black and global majority rights and protest in 20th century Britain.

A candid black-and-white classroom photograph. On the left, an older Black man with grey hair, a mustache, and a light-colored V-neck sweater leans forward over a wooden desk. He points with a pen to a page in an open textbook, guiding two young Black schoolboys sitting next to him. The boys, both wearing sweaters, look intently down at the textbook, listening closely. A black pen rests on the table in the foreground, and a blank blackboard stretches across the background wall.
Gender Equality Stories

Stella Dadzie and the Organisation of Women of Asian and African Descent  

Deepen your teaching of the fight for women's rights and Black and global majority rights in Britain with this story on Black women's activist groups in 20th century Britain.
A medium shot of an older Black woman sitting in a chair, appearing to speak while smiling during an interview. She has her hair styled in a high, curly updo with grey streaks. She is wearing a long-sleeved, color-blocked sweater in shades of grey, black, and olive green, layered gold necklaces, and earrings. Her hands are clasped in her lap. The background is a softly blurred indoor setting with a large glass-paned door on the left and an exhibition banner on the right.
Campaigns for racial equality Stories

The Scarman Report and Brixton Defence Campaign

Balance your teaching of the Scarman Report and the aftermath of the Brixton Uprising by reading about the Brixton Defence Campaign as a grassroots community response.
A black-and-white studio portrait of a white British judge from the mid-20th century. He is shown from the waist up, seated at a dark wooden table with hands gently clasped in front. He is wearing traditional legal attire, including a dark robe, white jabot collar bands, and a light-colored judicial wig. He looks directly toward the camera with a faint smile against a dark, softly lit background.
Campaigns for racial equality Stories

The New Cross Massacre and Black People’s Day of Action

Bring the largest contemporary protest for Black civil rights in Britain into your teaching of the lead up to the Brixton Uprising.
A black and white photograph captures a crowd of Black demonstrators marching down a city street during the
Campaigns for racial equality Stories

Mavis Best and the Scrap SUS Campaign

Strengthen your subject knowledge around the Brixton Uprising with the story of Black community activist Mavis Best and the Scrap SUS campaign, complete with teaching slides and classroom-ready resources.
A black and white photograph of a Black woman with cropped natural hair and glasses at an outdoor event. She is staring into the camera with a determined expression and wears a badge that reads 'race equality now'.
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