11. The Tolpuddle Martyrs Flashcards
When and where did 6 Agricultural labourers meet to try and form a union?
February 1834 in village of Tolpuddle in Dorset
What was the average workers wage?
10 shillings a week
What had it been cut to?
7 shillings a week - they wanted a pay rise
What had been repealed by this time?
The combinations Act and trade unions were now legal
Who was the protest led by?
George Loveless (a preacher)
What did you have to do to join?
Taken an oath of allegiance
What was this against?
The 1797 Act against Unlawful Oaths
What happened to the 6 labourers?
All arrested and sentenced to 7 years transportation to Australia which was the maximum sentence possible
What did this call?
A huge outcry
What happened on the 21st of April 1834?
Around 200,000 met at Copenhagen Fields and marched to parliament with signature petition
How many signatures were on them and what did it want?
800,000 signatures and they demanded the release of the Tolpuddle men
What happened over three years?
Their families were supported by contributions organised by unions, while protests continued
What happened in 1837?
The 6 men were granted a free pardon and returned to England
Who organised the campaign for their pardon?
Organised by workers banding together
Why celebrated the case?
Trade unions and some politicians
