Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She was known in particular for being the longest serving British Prime Minister of the 20^th century, not to mention for being the first woman to have ever held the office. It did not take long for Thatcher to become an extremely controversial figure due to her stubborn views and the policies she introduced, known as Thatcherism. In just 50 minutes, you will find out how her actions shaped events in her country for decades to come and understand her profound influence on British society.

This straightforward and informative book provides a thorough discussion of the key moments in Thatcher’s controversial political career, including her implementation of the Poll Tax, her stance on the European Union and her role in the Falklands War. It also features a full biography, a valuable introduction to the political, social and economic context and an evaluation of the impact of her government, giving you all the essential information about Britain’s Iron Lady.

About Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Hilda Roberts was born on 13 October 1925 to a Methodist family. Her father, a small business owner and a self-made man, served as her inspiration and encouraged her to go into politics. However, Thatcher completed a degree in chemistry before entering Parliament in 1959. She became the leader of the Conservative Party in 1975 and was elected Prime Minister in 1979, a few years after her famous speech against the Soviet Union and communism, which earned her the nickname of “the Iron Lady”. Her government was marked by controversy and violence. She died in 2013, to the delight of a considerable portion of the British population.

This clear and accessible 43-page book is structured as follows:

• Introduction to Margaret Thatcher
• Biography of Margaret Thatcher
  • A strict upbringing
  • The beginnings of a vocation
  • From her political beginnings to the creation of an icon
  • From Thatcherism to the Falklands War
  • From privatisation to her resignation
  • Declining health
• Context
  • A dire economy
  • Hit where it hurt
  • The union against “rampant socialism”
  • The Winter of Discontent
  • The Thatcher revolution at work
  • Fighting for Argentina
  • 365 days of strikes
  • International aims
  • More noticeable social inequality
• Highlights
  • “I want my money back”
  • “Failure is not an option”
  • “And now it must be business as usual”
  • A relationship that changed history
  • Between fondness and difficult coexistence
• Impact of Thatcher’s government
  • Political voluntarism
  • The economy at the forefront
  • A weakened state
  • The end of trade-union power
  • Margaret Thatcher, a source of inspiration
• Summary