Luddism Flashcards
1
Q
What was Luddism?
A
- The name given to a series of incidents starting in 1811, in which protesters stormed factories and broke up machines (often described as frames), starting in the lacemaking districts of Nottingham.
- The name came from Ned Ludd, a weaver who had destroyed two knitting frames after being whipped in 1779.
- The handloom workers who often took part were often angry at the introduction of steam-powered looms which, they felt, would damage their employment prospects.
2
Q
What were the long term causes of Luddism?
A
- Introduction of frame rents
- High transport costs
- Lower prices for finished goods
- Increased use of unskilled labour
- Napoleon closed all continental ports to British ships in May 1808 and by 1812, this comic blockade was beginning to bite.
3
Q
What were the short term causes of Luddism?
A
- Closure of the American Market after thee American Non-Intercourse Act was passed in February 1811- exports with £11 million in 1810 dropped to £2 million at the end of 1811.
- Rapid growth in unemployment and wage cuts for workers
- Failure of the harvest which resulted in higher bread prices in August 1812.
4
Q
How long did Luddism last?
A
6 years
5
Q
What was sent to Nottingham employers by the Luddites in 1811 and what had happened by the next 3 weeks?
A
- 1811: first threatening letters sent to Nottingham employers
- In 3 weeks, 200 stocking frames were destroyed
6
Q
Where did Luddism spread to and how many troops were sent in to Luddite active areas?
A
- Yorkshire, Lancashire and Derbyshire
- 12,000 troops sent to Luddite active areas
7
Q
In 1812, after an outbreak of Luddism action in Nottingham destroying 1000 frames, how many men were killed and how many were transported?
A
18 men in Lancashire killed
13 transported
8
Q
What act was passed in 1812 against the Luddites?
A
- Frame Breaking Act
- increased the penalties for Luddite behaviour in order to discourage it
9
Q
Who did the Luddites kill?
A
- An anti-Luddite mill owner
- William Horsfield
