Entrance Exams : Features Of Working Class Activism (before 1834) Flashcards
(34 cards)
What were trade unions
A group of workers organised together to win a better deal at work and achieve common goals
Initiated by skilled tradesmen
The growth of trade unions mirror the growing power of the employers
Example of an early trade society
London printers in 1793 petitioned to their master for an increased wage
They obtained 539 signatures
Weavers trade union
1799 organised themselves in an association to stop wage reduction
By may the association of weavers had 14 branches in Lancashire
What was GNCTU and what impact did it have
Grand national consolidated trade union
Industrialisation led to the postal service and railway networks to improve communication
Before 1834 they claimed to have 1 million members however only 16,000 of them paying their fee led to their collapse
How did employers react to trade unions
Widespread use of the document which made workers sign denouncing any commitment to trade unions
Master and servant act 1823
A strike which results in incomplete work led to workers being prosecuted
However not until after 1834
Combination acts
1799/1800 made unions illegal
A reaction to the perceived threat in France
Combination act repeal
1824, after 1820 the Food prices were lower by a third so could afford to be more sympathetic
Agricultural labourers started rising up which threatened the landowners as they were supposed. To be docile
Where were the major strikes in 1810
Lancashire which lasted more than 4 months
What is a friendly society
An organisation of men that came together to provide assistance and benefits for each other: provided insurance, saving schemes and pensions
When and what was the friendly societies act
1793- required to register themselves with local JPs and send reports of their activities every 3 months
How effective was the friendly societies act
Saw a rapid growth due to legal recognition that granted them protection of their funds
By 1801 what percentage of the population were members of a ‘friendly’
8%
And by 1815 they were able to provide insurance for 1/3 of the population
Why were the government threatened by friendly societies
The vast amount of money that was involved
And a perceived threat after the French Revolution in 1789
What was the benefits of membership
They often gave workers hospitality from other societies in the area
Example of a friendly society
The Royal Foresters in Yorkshire
Disadvantage of friendly societies
The financial commitment which required continuos subscription excluded the poorest members of society
When and what was the swing riots
1830- uprising of agricultural workers from eastern and southern parts of England
What did the swing rioters do
Demanded increased wages, abolition of threshing machines
Burnt crops and destroyed threshing machines
Consequences of the swing riots
1976 people arrested and 19 executed
Why did the swing riots shock the government
Agricultural workers are seen as docile
Peterloo massacre
1819- Henry hunt spoke at a rally which attracted 60000 people
Consequence of the peterloo massacre
The sabre charge dispersed the crowd -18 people killed and 400 wounded
The Luddites
1811-1816 British weavers and textile workers who objected to mechanisation
