Margaret thatcher biography summary organizers

She was the longest-serving British Prime Minister in the twentieth century, the longest since William Gladstone , and had the longest continuous period in office since Lord Liverpool. She was also the only woman to become prime minister or elected leader of a major political party in the Britain. One of the most significant British politicians in recent political history, nicknamed the "Iron Lady," Lady Thatcher was also one of the most divisive, being loved and loathed in equal measure.

This may have been the result of the firm stands she took on tough and complex issues. On one hand, the consequences of some of her policies severely affected the lives of many hard-working Britons. On the other hand, successive governments have continued her policy of lower taxation, and of encouraging citizens to exercise choice in buying services over which they previously had no say, as they had been state-provided.

She is especially remembered for Britain's successful Falklands War and for her close friendship with U. President Ronald Reagan , with whom she shared a similar domestic policy philosophy as well as tough stance against the Soviet Union. Her hard-line defense policy coupled with her willingness to "do business" with Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev contributed toward the collapse of the Soviet empire and end of the Cold War.

Overall, Lady Thatcher gave British citizens a new sense of their place in the world. She had one sister, Muriel.

Where is margaret thatcher buried

Her father was a grocer and activist in local politics, serving as an Alderman until He was also a Methodist lay preacher. Thatcher was brought up a staunch Methodist and has remained a Christian throughout her life. Margaret was a good student. She attended a girls' grammar school Kesteven and then Somerville College, Oxford, from , where she studied chemistry.