May 4, 1979 Margaret Thatcher Became Prime Minister of Great Britain
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
May 4, 1979 Margaret Thatcher Became Prime Minister of Great Britain Margaret Thatcher was born on October 13, 1925, as Margaret Hilda Roberts. Her father owned a grocery shop, and her mother had been a dressmaker. Her upbringing was very strict, and her father made certain she had a good education. She had one older sister whose name was Muriel. She went to Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School and enjoyed reading about politics and world affairs. She became involved in politics at a young age by running errands for the local Conservative Party when needed. She later attended the University of Oxford. Margaret Roberts eventually married Denis Thatcher. They had twins, who they named Mark and Carol Jane. The same year the twins were born, Margaret Thatcher became an attorney. She became involved more deeply in politics by running for a seat in the House of Commons. She lost her first two elections, but eventually won a seat. As time went on, Margaret Thatcher began to challenge the leadership of the Conservative Party. She campaigned on reducing government involvement in industry, lowering taxes, cutting government spending, and other points. She won the party leadership, the first woman to win the leadership of a British political party. In 1979, Margaret Thatcher became the first female Prime Minister of Great Britain. Taxes were reduced and government involvement in industry was reduced. The type of government during this time was called “Thatcherism.” As she proved herself more and more, she continued to win elections as Prime Minister and became the first British political leader to win three consecutive national elections in the 20th century. Margaret Thatcher died on April 8, 2013. Now, see how much you know about the life of Margaret Thatcher with the timeline on the next page. ©2017 Bonnie Rose Hudson WriteBonnieRose.com Margaret Thatcher Timeline 1935 1943 1947 1951 1953 1959 1961 1970 1975 1976 1979 1982 1984 1985 1988 1990 1992 2002 2007 2013 ©2017 Bonnie Rose Hudson WriteBonnieRose.com 1. Takes her bar finals and gives birth to twins 2. Retires from public speaking 3. Becomes Prime Minister 4. Graduates from Oxford University 5. Her hotel is bombed by the IRA in an attempt to assassinate her 6. Is appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary (Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance) 7. Resigns as Prime Minister 8. Becomes the first woman to lead a British political party 9. Begins activities in politics by running errands for the local Conservative Party 10. Opposes the idea of a European “super state” and firmly states Britain’s sovereignty 11. Is given her first Cabinet post (Secretary of State for Education and Science) 12. Dies on April 8 13. Is elected to the House of Commons 14. Becomes the first Prime Minister to receive a statue in the Houses of Parliament while she was still living 15. Wins scholarship to Oxford University 16. Signs a pact called the Anglo-Irish Agreement, along with Prime Minister Garret FitzGerald of Ireland 17. Refuses to give in to Argentine aggression in the Falkland Islands and sends troops to take back the Falklands 18. Is made a baroness and member of the House of Lords 19. Marries Denis Thatcher 20. Makes speech condemning communism that earns her the nickname “Iron Lady” in the Soviet press ©2017 Bonnie Rose Hudson WriteBonnieRose.com Margaret Thatcher Timeline Begins activities in politics by running errands for the local Conservative Party 1935 1943 Wins scholarship to Oxford University Graduates from Oxford University 1947 1951 Marries Denis Thatcher Takes her bar finals and gives birth to twins 1953 1959 Is elected to the House of Commons Is appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary (Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance) 1961 Is given her first Cabinet post (Secretary 1970 of State for Education and Science) Becomes the first woman to lead a British political party 1975 Makes speech condemning communism that earns her the 1976 nickname “Iron Lady” in the Soviet press Becomes Prime Minister 1979 Refuses to give in to Argentine aggression in the Falkland Islands 1982 and sends troops to take back the Falklands Her hotel is bombed by the IRA in an attempt to assassinate her 1984 Signs a pact called the Anglo-Irish Agreement, along with Prime Minister 1985 Garret FitzGerald of Ireland Opposes the idea of a European “super state” and firmly states Britain’s sovereignty 1988 1990 Resigns as Prime Minister Is made a baroness and member of the House of Lords 1992 Becomes the first Prime Minister to 2002 Retires from public speaking receive a statue in the Houses of Parliament while she was still living 2007 2013 Dies on April 8 ©2017 Bonnie Rose Hudson WriteBonnieRose.com .