Before the First World War the mining unions in Scotland and South Wales, which since the 1920s have been centres of left-wing activity, were extremely weak when compared to the wealthier English districts.
The period after the First World War saw an amazing rate of economic intlation and an aegressive response by organised labour, During this conflict durable unions were established in the Scottish and South Wales coal fields and socialists made an important contribution to this achievement. MARXIST EDUCATION Socialist agitation in Scotland and South Wales was indissolubly associated with Marxist education. Amongst the Scotish miners this was carried out by John MacLean and a group of socialist teachers he had gathered round him.
MacLean had started Marxist economics classes These Classes were miners and be the end ol 1908, classes in economics and history had been established in the mining areas of Burnbank in Lanarkshire, By the end of 1910 Marxist. classes were being held at least one nipht a week in the Fife mining towns of Bowhill Dunfermine, Kirkcaldy, and Cowdenbeath, The miners strike of 1912 brought to a head the previous decade's Marxist activity, Before 1912 the Lanarkshire miners, especially tho Irishmen amongst them, gave their political allegiance lo Liberalism. Even miners leaders like Bob Smillie and John Robertson had been defeated at the polls by Liberals. This situation was transformed by the 1912 sirike, and, rom this point on, the politicn] vonflict amongst
One of his last public appearances: John MacLean addressing May Day meeting in Glasgow, 1923 PEPI