2017 factory production

Question 1

factory system

Answer 1

• beforehand labour mostly done at home, 1801 1/2 of West Country villages involved in industry
• master, journeyman and apprentice meant direct connection between employer and employee
• factories destroyed this connection and idea of common goal, division between worker and master, conflicting interests.
• population growth caused demand for employment making strikes difficult, lots of Knobsticks
• Richard Crawshay worth over £200,000 and Arkwright £500,000 at his death in 1792
• harsh conditions:
  10 mins late saw 2hours pay knocked off, 1s fine for talking.
• employers overly focused on profit and productivity.

Question 2

gov policies

Answer 2

• combination acts 1799-1800 attempt to prevent unions (repealed 1824)
• master servant act 1823 meant failure to fulfil contract could mean jail. (workers often couldn’t even read, taken advantage of)
• free trade meant workers had to look after own interests
  -1826 banking co-partnership act
  -1846 repeal of corn laws
• employers given freedom
  -advancements in postal and rail networks allowed better communication between groups.

Question 3

french rev and war

Answer 3

• war with France created economic discontent
• suitable environment for trade union growth
• 400,000 soldiers return from war wanting jobs
• revolutionary feeling across Europe, could suggest a desire for more reform.

Question 4

protection for workers

Answer 4

-1799 workers in Wigan formed an association to stop wage reduction
- association of Weavers had 14 branches in Lancashire by May 1799. shows sense of mutual support despite having above average wages, felt discontentment with war
-1750-1850 population 6 mill to 17 mill
- trade societies local and looked after own industries.
- local strike action e.g. 1765 miners in the north-east