Margaret Thatcher, British prime minister from 1979 to 1990, was the first female prime minister of Great Britain and the longest-serving British government chief since the 1800s. Thatcher was born Margaret Hilda Roberts in Grantham, Lincolnshire, to a lower-middle-class family. She graduated from Oxford University in 1951 with a degree in chemistry. Thatcher was active in conservative politics while still a student. She unsuccessfully ran for Parliament twice (when she ran in 1950, she was the youngest female candidate to seek office). She later trained as a lawyer and became a barrister in 1953. In 1959, Thatcher was elected to the House of Commons and subsequently served in a variety of senior posts in the Conservative Party. From 1970 to 1974, she was secretary of state for education and science in the cabinet of Edward Heath (1916–2005). In 1975, she replaced Heath as leader of the Conservatives after their loss in national elections. When the Conservatives won the 1979 elections, Thatcher became prime minister.

Thatcher implemented a series of economic and social reforms that revolved around privatizing state-owned agencies and reducing the welfare state. She also reformed the country's tax system. Her policies improved the British economy, but were criticized for undermining the nation's social support system. The reforms came to be known as "Thatcherism." Her foreign policy was staunchly anticommunist, and she developed a close relationship with U.S. president Ronald W. Reagan. She supported the U.S. bombing of Libya in 1986 in response to that country's support of terrorism. In 1982, Thatcher led the country during the Falklands War, in which Great Britain defeated Argentina. She also oversaw negotiations with the People's Republic of China over the status of Hong Kong, which ultimately led to British withdrawal from the colony in 1997. Thatcher opposed proposals in the 1980s to strengthen the power of the European Community.

In the waning days of the Cold War, Thatcher developed a working relationship with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. She supported German reunification and efforts to speed the end of the Cold War. She also urged strong action against the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and supported U.S. president George H. W. Bush in his efforts to develop a multinational coalition to oppose the regime of Saddam Hussein.

An economic downturn undermined her popularity in Britain. In addition, she insisted on the implementation of a poll tax that was unpopular with both the opposition and her own party (at one point, 18 million Britons refused to pay the regressive tax). Senior party members forced Thatcher from her leadership in 1990 (although her preferred successor, John Major, became prime minister). In 1992, Thatcher resigned from the House of Commons. That same year, she was granted a life peerage as Baroness Thatcher.

Free term papers are not written to satisfy your specific instructions. You can use our professional writing services to buy a custom written research paper, term paper, or essay on Biographies at affordable price. CustomTermPapers is the best solution for those who seek help in writing term papers, essays, and research papers related to Biographies and other relevant topics.