Unionism and Cooperation

Question 1

What is a trade union?

Answer 1

A worker’s organisation which helps its members

Question 2

Name 2 reasons why people join trade unions.

Answer 2

Wages, rights, pensions, benefits, solidarity

Question 3

What did employers make employees sign in the 1820s and 1830s to stop them joining a trade union?

Answer 3

The Document

Question 4

What did the Combination Acts stop?

Answer 4

Setting up a trade union

Question 5

When were the Combination Acts passed?

Answer 5

1799/1800

Question 6

Which prime minister was in power when the Combination Acts were passed?

Answer 6

William Pitt

Question 7

What did the Friendly Societies Act of 1793 demand of Friendly Societies? Give 2 points.

Answer 7

Register with JP, rules, constitution, lodge documentation, updates, etc

Question 8

Which law was used against the Tollpuddle Martyrs?

Answer 8

Illegal oaths Act 1797

Question 9

What county is Tolpuddle in?

Answer 9

Dorset

Question 10

When did the Tolpuddle Martyrs case occur?

Answer 10

1834

Question 11

How many Tolpuddle Martyrs were there?

Answer 11

6

Question 12

Who was the main Tolpuddle martyr?

Answer 12

George Loveless

Question 13

Why did the Tolpuddle Martyrs form a union?

Answer 13

Because they were being paid only 6 shillings a weeks when the average wage was 10.

Question 14

In what year were the Combination Acts repealed?

Answer 14

1824

Question 15

What happened to the Tolpuddle Martyrs?

Answer 15

Transported to Australia

Question 16

When were the Tolpuddle Martyrs pardoned?

Answer 16

1836

Question 17

What did the Amending Act of 1825 do?

Answer 17

Made is difficult to strike

Question 18

When was the National Union of Cotton Spinners founded by John Doherty?

Answer 18

1829

Question 19

Give 2 reasons why the Grand National Consolidated Trade Union failed in 1834.

Answer 19

The Document, Whig opposition, lack of support from 4 biggest unions, communications, funding

Question 20

Who founded the GNCTU?

Answer 20

Robert Owen

Question 21

What is capitalism?

Answer 21

Pursuit of profit from private ownership of business

Question 22

What was a ‘knobstick’?

Answer 22

Strike breaker

Question 23

What does the term ‘Laissez faire’ mean and to what does it refer?

Answer 23

Governments leaving things to sort themselves out in economic matters

Question 24

What is a closed shop?

Answer 24

A workplace where everyone has to join a trade union

Question 25

What is the definition of an artisan?

Answer 25

A skilled worker/tradesman

Question 26

Which unions joined together in 1851 to form the Amalgamated Society of Engineers?

Answer 26

Old Mechanics, Steam Engine Makers’ Society and the General Smiths

Question 27

Name 2 characteristics of New Model Unionism?

Answer 27

Skilled workers, small unions joining together to create a large one, used negotiation rather than militancy, respect and moderation.

Question 28

What was the idea of an ‘aristocracy of labour’ as described by the Webbs?

Answer 28

The division of skilled/unskilled labour/hierachy of labour.

Question 29

Why was the ASE successful where the GNCTU had failed? Give 3 reasons.

Answer 29

Leadership of William Allan, rigid admin system, paid general secretary, elected executive council, membership tax rather than voluntary contributions.

Question 30

What role did the ASE take in the London builders dispute and when was it?

Answer 30

1859-60, the London builders on strike wanting reduction to 9 hour day, ASE gave 3 donations of 1,000 to strike fund to give them the chance to hold out for 6 months and made the employers compromise.