The Extension of Equality

1. The Extension of Equality Equal How did the concept of equality expand? Outcome 2.8

2. #1 LUDDITES The Luddites, a band of nineteenth century English handicraftsmen, rioted in protest to the textile machinery that had taken them out of business. Luddites destroyed thousands of pieces of machinery until they finally met their demise around 1817 when the government was able to control Luddites riots. During the Industrial Revolution, the laws and customs which had been installed to protect the working class of England were ignored and eventually abandoned. For example, the Minimum Wage Bill of 1808 decreased minimum wage and the Combination Acts, banned trade unions. These were just some of the many sparks which drove the Luddites to rebellion.

3. Labour Standards and Unions • Welfare capitalism depended on the efforts of capitalists and government; ordinary citizens had little power or influence in society, thus, equality rights had still to be achieved • During the 19th-century, labourers who wanted to improve their standard of living and their quality of life began to attempt to form unions • What this involved was a recognition of a new right—the right to organize As a result of the struggles' of the 19th-centry, unions exist even today.

4. The Value of Unions… • Unions could significantly strengthen the achievement of labour’s goals by acting collectively to negotiate equitable wages and decent working conditions—all of which undermined the capitalist’s control of the workplace • They could also threaten a strike if their desires were not met • Unions were regarded as subversive of classical liberal principles and capitalism, and were fiercely opposed • Unions did not become legal in Canada until 1872

5. Welfare Capitalism Classical liberals gradually came to see the merits of some of their opponents’ views and modified the expression of some of their values and beliefs Rather grudgingly, classical liberals began to recognize that some modifications were necessary. The basic premise for these modifications was an acceptance of the fact that those who believed in the pursuit of industrial efficiency—laissez-faire capitalists--needed to develop a social conscience and more concern for the equality rights of workers Welfare Capitalism: a classical liberal economic system combined with a government that used legislation to give workers protection. Examples: limited working hours, minimum wage, pensions and medical insurance.

6. Welfare Capitalism at work… Britain, for example, passed a series of Factory Acts, beginning in 1810 Each Act gradually improved the working conditions in factories, decreased working hours, regulated the ages at which children could be employed, and regulated the number of hours women and children could be required to work Germany passed similar acts starting in 1883 Still, capitalists did not gladly or easily give way to new ways of thinking about society’s responsibilities

7. Theodore Roosevelt and Welfare Capitalism… BrainPops Theodore Roosevelt He was a reformer who recognized some of the problems associated with classical liberalism When the United Mine Workers of Pennsylvania walked off the job, instead of calling in the army against the workers as owners had hoped, Roosevelt threatened to use the army against the owners should they refuse to negotiate. He called this a “square deal” and eventually forced the arbitration. In 1912, T. Roosevelt went on to form the National Progressive Party because he felt the Democrats and Republicans were too resistant to change.

8. Universal Suffrage • In the 18th century, in places where voting took place at all, the right to vote was reserved for propertied men with some wealth. Women, First Nations, and certain religious and ethnic groups were not allowed to vote • From 1867-1919, the classical liberal idea that voting was a privilege for the few gradually gave way to the idea that the franchise was a right. • Slowly, qualifications were removed, but for men only

9. Canadian Voting Rights The Dominion Elections Act (1920) • Vote given to all citizens of European extractions – both men and women • First Nations were not given the vote until 1960 (Inuit were awarded this right in 1950, but most were unable to exercise this right as poling stations were not set up in the North until the 1960s) • The last group to receive the franchise was prison inmates in 2002. See timeline on page 157

10. Voting Rights Across the Globe • Bhutan -- One vote per house. Although this applies to both men and women, in practice it currently prevents many more women from voting than men. • Lebanon -- Partial suffrage. Proof of education required for women, not required for men. Voting is compulsory for men; optional for women. • Brunei -- No suffrage for men or women. This country is ruled by a monarchy. Neither men nor women have the right to vote or to stand for election. • Saudi Arabia -- No suffrage for women. The first local elections ever held in the country occurred in 2005. Women were not given the right to vote or to stand for election. • United Arab Emirates -- No suffrage for men or women. The Parliament is officially appointed and there are no elections. Neither men nor women have the right to vote or to stand for election. Can you suggest why these nations may not be overly supportive of suffrage in general and female suffrage in particular?

11. Feminism • Feminism, at its simplest, is the belief that men and women are to be treated equally in all respects • Initially most people thought the rights of ‘man’, meant ‘men’….the train of thought here is equal rights solely. • Women were expected to work as hard as men, and were a source of cheap labour, as they were usually paid much less. • Gradually, women became more involved in the public sphere, becoming involved in anti-poverty campaigns and child labour movements; they were also active in temperance societies, which fought against the abuse of alcohol.

12. An expansion of rights… One two • By 1860, suffragists argued for the right to vote feeling this was the only way to gain greater equality rights (awarded 1920) • In 1929, the Canadian government recognized the right of women to be appointed to public office • Gender equality rights were also entrenched in the constitution. Nellie McClung: http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=10643

13. FACTORY ACT (1833) • To improve conditions for children working in factories • No children under 9 years of age • Reduced hours for children 9-18 • Children not to work at night • Two hours schooling per day • Four inspectors appointed for entire country

14. NEW POOR LAW (1834) Provide refuge for ailing & helpless Anyone accepting relief in ‘repellent’ workhouse must lack moral determination to survive Principle of ‘less eligibility’ – conditions inside workhouse should never be better than those of an independent laborer of lowest class Reduce cost of looking after the poor Encourage poor people to work hard to support themselves Workhouse intended to replace all other forms of relief Essentially the poor could work to survive

15. Reforms put in motion by the Government….. • . • MINES ACT (1842) • no females employed underground • no boys under 10 years old underground • nothing regulating hours of work