How much influence had the working men and women of Britain achieved by 1870??

Question 1

“How much influence had the working men and women of Britain achieved by 1870??”

Answer 1

“How much influence had the working men and women of Britain achieved by 1870??”

Question 2

Argument/ line of judgement

Answer 2

Working men and women did achieve considerable influence because of the success of friendly societies and worker representation in the long term. IN the short term they faced problems such as localisation of co ops and lack of funding which limited their effectiveness influence. Therefore only achieved influence in the long term.

Question 3

Factor 1- success of the NMU

Answer 3

Facts- Following 1850, government more accepting of trade unions due to the work of applegarth and Allan, leaders of the ASE and ASCj respectively, and revolutionise the NMU, which had the funding and organisation to support peaceful striking

• led to molestation of workers act in 1859 to give improved rights to peacefully protesting workers
• Master and servant act of 1823 reformed in 1858 to remove hostile elements to workers, shows extent of worker influence.
• Extent of success showed by TUC which was a subsequent union with over a million members by 1868, showing government had grown to recognise the power and importance of working men and women

In terms of trade societies clearly working men and women had lots of influence as they simultaneously gained acceptance from the government and adapted the failed old trade societies to further their respectability to gain legislation that supported rather than oppressed them

Question 4

Factor 2- growth of co-ops and friendly societies

Answer 4

facts

• Friendly societies gained invested government interest because they were effectively a welfare state envied by the government.
• membership outnumbered trade unions 1 to 4, and for them to create such a group during the height of government reform would suggest a good level of influence.
• Registrar for friendly societies in 1846 shows government grown to respect forms of unions, not recognised as radical as they had following fence revolution
• Co-ops had grown from the small scale success of Robert Owens new lanark in 1799 to the 332 similar shops created following the Rochdale pioneers publication of ‘self help of the people’ by Hollyoake in 1857.

Example of a group largely unopposed by the government and the fact they still around today would suggest very long term influence as they continue to benefit society today.

Question 5

Factor 3- continuing problems with unionism ie skilled v unskilled

Answer 5

Facts- Divisions between skilled and unskilled workers regarding objectives of early unions eg London printers 1793 limited extent to which men and women held influence as many workers ie unskilled were excluded.

• NMU was unaccessible as a model for smaller businesses as it was too expensive to implement, therefore extent of these workers protection was limited and they were less able to voice their concerns therefore less parliamentary influence.
• All inclusive influence not achieved by 1870; friendly societies relied on membership subscriptions that unskilled workers couldn’t afford, therefore those who would benefit most from welfare were excluded.
• friendly societies act 1793 (after French revolution) curtailed early friendly societies from helping people as govt scared of radicalism =