Luddites and Unions

1. Luddites and Unions

2. Causes for Luddites and then Development of Unions---England’s Distress in 1811-1813 • In 1812 the government probably had reason to be fearful: • a large part of the army was overseas, mainly in the Peninsular with Wellington; • the country was fighting not only the French but also the Americans • England was experiencing the worst trade depression since the 1760s and people were suffering great hardship. as evidenced by the Sheffield riots of 1812 • Source: http://www.usp.nus.edu.sg/victorian/history/riots/luddites.html

3. Causes for Development of Luddites and Unions • Poverty – Harsh economic times because of the Napoleonic wars • Non-enforcement of laws meant to protect workers • Minimum wage bill 1808 (decreased wages) • Deteriorating working conditions • Combination Acts – Banned trade unions • Mechanical Looms and spinners replacing skilled craftsman

4. Mills

5. Working Conditions in the Mills

6. Luddites • The Luddites were against the use of new technological machinery which they believed took jobs away from other people • They would burn the factories that made these machines. • Their group was most notable during the 1810’s • They caused such a problem for the government they were ordered to be arrested on sight

7. The cause of it all? The type of instrument destroyed by Ned Ludd A stocking frame was a machine that knitted stocking or socks. 1812 – Frame-Breaking Act (capital crime)

8. What did the Luddite craftsman want?

9. The Luddites: 1811-1816 Attacks on the “frames” [power looms]. Ned Ludd [a mythical figure supposed to live in Sherwood Forest]

10. Luddites and Luddism • Workers began breaking into factories at night and destroying new machines • Unions had no leader so they claimed to follow “General Ludd” a made up figure • Named after Ned Ludd who smashed a mechanical loom • “Luddite” now refers to people resisting technological change • Breaking into factories became known as Luddism

11. The Luddites took to smashing machines that were replacing their job opportunities and abilities to raise money.

13. General Ludd • General Ned Ludd was said to be the leader of the original Luddites. • He is said to have gained fame by the 1800’s, and to have started the movement in the 1810’s. • Trade unions sent threatening letters employers and local officials. • Letters to the factories were signed by Ned Ludd. • Where the name “Luddites” came from

14. Mythic Hero? • Ned Ludd mythical person? • Ned Ludd was reputed to live in Sherwood Forest. • “They said Ned Ludd was an idiot boy • That all he could do was wreck and destroy, and • He turned to his workmates and said: Death to Machines • They tread on our future and they stamp on our dreams.” -- Robert Calvert

16. Riots and battles of the Luddite rebellion • Riots • Nottinhamshire – Nov 1811 • West Riding of Yorkshire – Jan 1812 • Lancashire – March 1813 Sutton’s Mill, Nottinghamshire Luddites smashing looms in a factory during the riots of 1811–16. The Granger Collection, New York

17. Luddite Attacks • One of the most serious attacks took place at Rawfolds Mill in Yorkshire. • William Cartwright owned the mill and had been using cloth-finishing machinery since 1811 • Local croppers began losing their jobs • These farmers met at Saint Crispin public house and decided to try and destroy the cloth-finishing machinery • Cartwright suspected trouble and arranged for the mill to be protected by armed guards

19. Luddite Attacks cont’d. • The attack on Rawfolds Mill took place on April 11, 1812 and was led by George Mellor • The Luddites failed to gain entry • Two croppers were mortally wounded • Most infamous union raid • Cartwright became a hero for efforts to crush Luddite threat

21. Middleton Guardian Report "AT LEAST seven people have been killed after a day of Luddite rioting that brought terror to the poplace of Middleton. Until now the town has been spared the attention of the followers of the infamous Ned Ludd from Leicestershire, whose resentment of the coming of the power driven loom has spawned bands of machine wreckers. It has been feared for some time that Middleton could become the target for these agitators, for many of the town's loomhouses have fallen silent - the men have gone to work at the power looms that Daniel Burton has installed at his calico printing mill in Wood Street. But no one could have forseen the mayhem that ensued today, 2nd April 1812. Men armed with clubs, staves and rakes came into the town from all directions. They congregated at Th' Top o' Middleton, entered the shops and began to fill their pockets with the goods on the shelves, throwing the flour and sugar about the floor and generally causing havoc. • http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/community/nostalgia/s/409682_1800_to_1900

22. George Mellor---A Luddite Leader • Led the revolt against Cartwright • Was put on trial along with three other leaders for the killing of William Horsfall • Refused to break the Luddite code of silence when put on trial. • Was hanged in January 1813.

23. Luddite Attacks cont’d. • A week later the Luddites killed William Horsfall, another large mill owner in the area • The authorities rounded up over a hundred suspects • They indicted 64 • Three men were executed for the murder of Horsfall and another 14 were hung for attack on the Rawfolds Mill. • In 1812 there were attacks on Lancashire cotton mills. • On March 20, 1812 the warehouse of William Radcliffe was attacked in Stockport

25. Primary Source • “ Such was the state of that country, and such I have reason to believe that it to be at this moment. But whilst these outrages must be admitted to exist to an alarming extent, it cannot be denied that they have arisen from circumstances of the most unparalleled distress: the perseverance of these miserable men in their proceedings, tends to prove that nothing but absolute want could have driven a large, and once honest and industrious, body of the people into the commission of excesses so hazardous to themselves, their families, and the community. They were not ashamed to beg, but there was none to relieve them; their own means of subsistence were cut off, all other employment preoccupied; and their excesses, however to be deplored and condemned, can hardly be subject to surprise.” • Lord Byron

26. Luddite Attacks cont’d. • Wheat prices soared in 1812 and workers became desperate • There were food riots in Manchester, Oldham, Ashton, Rochdale, Stockport, and Macclesfield • On April 20,1812 several thousand men attacked Burton’s Mill at Middleton. • Emmanuel Burton had recruited armed guards • Three members of the crowd were killed by musket fire • Men returned the next day and set Burton’s house on fire • The military came back and another seven men were killed

28. Burton’s Mill Primary Source • “ The weaving factory of Mr. Burton and Sons had been previously threatened in consequence of their mode of weaving being done by the operation of stream. The factory was protected by soldiers, so strongly as to be impregnable to their assault; they then flew to the house of Mr. Emmanuel Burton, where they wreaked their vengeance by setting it on fire. On Friday, the 24th of April, a large body of weavers and mechanics began to assemble together with the whole of the premises, at Westhoughton. The military rode at full speed to Westhoughton; and on the arrival were surprised to find that he premises were entirely destroyed, while not an individual could be seen to whom attached any suspicion of having acted a part in this truly dreadful outrage.” • Archibald Prince

29. Luddite Attacks cont’d. • Three days later Wray and Duncroff’s Mill was set on fire • The sheriff arrested 12 men suspected of taking part in the attack • Four of the accused were executed • In the summer of 1812 eight men in Lancashire were sentenced to death and thirteen transported to Australia for attacks on cotton mills. • Another fifteen were executed at York • By 1817 The Luddite movement had ceased to be active in Britain.

30. Luddite Song “Engines of Mischief” These Engines of mischief were sentenced to die By unanimous vote of the Trade. And Ludd who can all opposition defy Was the Grand executioner made.

31. Government Response • Felt it had to establish control • Provide good business climate • Repress and control unruly labor groups • No attempt to alleviate cause of social disruption • “The Frame Breakers” by Nicols Fox

33. Government Reaction • March 1811: authorities placed 400 special constables to protect • February 1812: Government of Spencer Perceval proposed that machine- breaking should become a capital offence • Frame Breaking Act: enabled people convicted of machine- breaking to be sentenced to death • Government ordered 12,000 troops to areas where Luddites were active • Offered pardons to those who renounced oath to “General Ludd” • Paid spies reported leaders and testified against them • Soldiers broke up Luddite meetings and made arrests • Mellor and 2 other leaders were hung in January 1813 for the murder of Horsfall • 1899: Parliament rejected worker pleas for a minimum wage law and made trade unions illegal

34. Government Reaction • English government planted spies into the Unions to retrieve names of people leading them. • They offered rewards to informers. • Sent several thousand troops into the area. • Still had little success. • Parliament passed a law that made machine breaking illegal. • The punishment was the death-penalty. • Luddites were tried and sent to Australia if found guilty.

35. The Luddites

36. Lord Byron’s Speech againstThe Frame Breaking Act • Lord Byron, made a passionate speech against the Act in the House of Lords at the end of February, 1812: • During the short time I recently passed in Nottingham, not twelve hours elapsed without some fresh act of violence; and on that day I left the county I was informed that forty Frames had been broken the preceding evening, as usual, without resistance and without detection. Such was the state of that county, and such I have reason to believe it to be at this moment. But whilst these outrages must be admitted to exist to an alarming extent, it cannot be denied that they have arisen from circumstances of the most unparalleled distress: the perseverance of these miserable men in their proceedings, tends to prove that nothing but absolute want could have driven a large, and once honest and industrious, body of the people, into the commission of excesses so hazardous to themselves, their families, and the community.

38. End of Luddites • Machines and factories had been completely destroyed • Defeat of General Ludd; military force, trials, and hangings • 1830’s: most hand spinners, weavers, and croppers had been replaced by machines

39. The end of Luddism • Male workers gained the right to vote • Trade unions became legal • 49 luddites killed in riots by government forces • 24 were executed • 34 transported to Australia • More than 20 others given long term prison sentences

40. The Luddite riots led to many songs that were sung for years afterwards, and made the Luddites popular heroes Luddites in Song General Ludd's Triumph Tune "Poor Jack" Chant no more your old rhymes about bold Robin Hood,(2) His feats I but little admire I will sing the Achievements of General Ludd Now the Hero of Nottinghamshire Brave Ludd was to measures of violence unused Till his sufferings became so severe That at last to defend his own Interest he rous'd(3) And for the great work did prepare(4) Now by force unsubdued, and by threats undismay'd Death itself can't his ardour repress The presence of Armies can't make him afraid Nor impede his career of success Whilst the news of his conquests is spread far and near How his Enemies take the alarm His courage, his fortitude, strikes them with fear For they dread his Omnipotent Arm!

41. More Songs • Hunting a Loaf Good people I pray, now hear what I say, And pray do not call it sedition; For these great men of late they have cracked my poor pate: I'm wounded, in a woeful condition. Chorus And sing fallal the diddle i do, Sing fal the diddle i do, Sing fal the lal day. For in Derby it's true and in Nottingham too, Poor men to the jail they've been taking; They say that Ned Ludd, as I understood, A thousand wide frames has been breaking. • "The Cropper's Song" Come, cropper lads of high renown, Who love to drink good ale that's brown, And strike each haughty tyrant down, With hatchet, pike, and gun! Oh, the cropper lads for me, The gallant lads for me, Who with lusty stroke, The shear frames broke, The cropper lads for me! What though the specials(14) still advance, And soldiers nightly round us prance; The croppers lads still lead the dance, With hatchet, pike, and gun! Oh, the cropper lads for me, The gallant lads for me, Who with lusty stroke The shear frames broke, The cropper lads for me!

42. Luddite Fallacy • Labor saving technologies increase un-employment by reducing the demand for labor • The Fallacy • Cost of goods decreases • Demand for goods rises • So more people are hired. • At the macro-economic level, production increases while keeping workforce levels constant • Micro-economically, real people are out of a job. Modern day wisdom says the cure for this is job training • If the Luddite fallacy were true we would all be out of work because productivity has been increasing for two centuries • Alex Tabarrok, economist

43. Political Consequences of Luddites • Changed the views of many influential people • Especially Lord Byron who spoke at the trials of several luddites, and Earl Fitzwilliam, Lord Lieutenant of the West Riding of Yorkshire. • Brought rights of workers to the attention of the public • Began debate about industrialization • Look at both the positive and negative effects of industrialization • Govt. could no longer ignore the plight of workers • Technology is never neutral

44. The Making of the English Working Class, E. P. Thompson • Luddites were not opposed to new technology so much as the economic order that arose with it that destroyed their lively hood • Research suggests that the frames destroyed were often those of owners and mills that tried to cut process and wages, while others were often left un touched • The Luddites acted from a sense of self preservation

46. What are the similarities between the Luddites and the WSPU Suffragettes led by the Pankhursts?

47. What is a Union? • A continuous association of wage-earners for the purpose of maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment.

48. The Trade Unions • The trade unions were bands of people of one trade that came together to help their common good. • They would strike for better wages and petition for less hours. • Use collective bargaining

49. Unions in the Early 18th Century • Growth of unions in Great Britain was due to industrialization • Employers began turning to machines so that they wouldn’t have to pay craftsmen • People were becoming unemployed or wages were being cut • Craftsmen became extremely angry • Workers revolted by smashing machines • Trade Clubs were formed by workers to bargain for higher wages • Labor Union meetings were banned until 1824 due to fear of an uprising • Workers benefited from unions through strength and unity • Government prosecuted unions and supported employers • 1871: 290,000 people belonged to unions • 1901: # of people belonging to unions had risen to 2,000,000