7. Growth of Trade Unions Flashcards
What are the 4 sections for this plan?
- Factory Systems
- Protection for Workers
- Government policies
- External Factors
Factory Systems
What was the previous form of labor before the introduction of factory systems?
The previous form of labor was small-scale production done in the home.
Factory Systems
What was the impact of factory systems on the direct connection between employers and employees?
Factory systems destroyed the direct connection between employers and employees, replaced the hierarchical structure of master, journeyman, and apprentice.
Factory Systems
In what year were 1/2 of the West Country villages involved in industry?
In 1801, 1/2 of the West Country villages were involved in industry.
Factory Systems
What caused a division between workers and masters in factory systems?
The conflicting interests between workers and masters caused a division between them.
Factory Systems
What did workers do to balance the power of masters in factory systems?
Workers had to group together to balance the power of masters.
Factory Systems
Why was it difficult for workers to go on strike during the rise of factory systems?
- Population growth made it difficult for workers to go on strike, as there were more people and less bargaining power.
- By 1851, there were 29 cities with populations over 50,000, and a further 9 with populations over 50,000.
Factory Systems
Who were some wealthy individuals associated with the rise of factory systems?
Richard Crawshay, worth over £200,000, and Arkwright, who died in 1792, worth £500,000
Factory Systems
What were some of the disciplinary measures imposed on workers in factories?
Workers could be fined 2 hours’ wages for being 10 minutes late, and fines of 1 shilling or 1/5 of their daily wages for talking while working. Employers focused on profit and productivity.
Protection for Workers
Why did workers increasingly come into conflict with their employers during industrialisation?
Workers increasingly came into conflict with their employers because the employers were eager to make profits, regardless of the cost to the workers.
Protection for Workers
What method did employers commonly use to counter striking workers?
Employers often hired immigrant workers to replace the striking workers.
Protection for Workers
Who were the immigrant workers commonly hired by employers?
The immigrant workers were often Irish individuals who were desperate for work, as they were unable to find employment in Ireland.
Protection for Workers
How were the immigrant workers treated during strikes?
The immigrant workers were often verbally attacked as ‘knobsticks’ for undermining the strikes. In some cases, they were also physically attacked, such as the saw grinders’ union incident in Sheffield in 1866.
Protection for Workers
How did the growth of population diminish the role of the individual worker?
The growth of population led to a higher demand for jobs, which meant that individuals could be easily fired and replaced. Between 1750 and 1850, the population rose from 6 million to more than 17 million.
Protection for Workers
Why did protesting individually become ineffective for workers?
Protesting individually became ineffective because the demand for jobs grew, making it easy for employers to quickly replace workers. This prompted the start of the trade unionist movement.
Government Policies
What was the government’s attitude towards regulation during this time?
The government had a laissez-faire attitude, allowing employers to do as they wished without much regulation, which often led to the exploitation of workers.
Government Policies
What were the Combination Acts of 1799 and 1800 intended to do?
The Combination Acts were intended to prevent unionisation, but they actually created a catalyst for working-class discontent that fuelled the growth of unionism.
Government Policies
How did improving methods of communication contribute to the growth of unions during this time?
The growth of unions was facilitated by the improvement in methods of communication.
By 1912, the railway system was three times larger than it was in 1850
Government Policies
When were the Combination Acts repealed?
The Combination Acts were repealed in 1824, which allowed for the legal recognition of unions.
Government Policies
Who was John Doherty and what unions did he found?
John Doherty was a figure who emerged after the repeal of the Combination Acts. He founded the 1829 General Union of Operative Spinners and later the National Association for the Protection of Labour.
External Factors
What was the impact of Napoleon’s blockade on Britain?
Napoleon’s blockade of Britain from 1806 led to an increase in national debt from £238 million to £902 million.
External Factors
What happened after the end of the war that led to mass unemployment?
After the end of the war, 400,000 soldiers returned home, which resulted in mass unemployment.
External Factors
What event in France spurred on radicals during this time?
The French Revolution, which began with the Storming of the Bastille on July 14th, 1789, spurred on radicals.
External Factors
How many people stormed the Bastille during the French Revolution?
- 633 people stormed the Bastille, which was a symbol of the King.
- They released prisoners, stole munitions, and destroyed the fortress.
- 104 people were killed during the event.
External Factors
What was the government’s attitude towards the events of the French Revolution?
Although the government was critical of these events, with Robert Peel stating, “I was unwilling to open a door which I saw no prospect of being able to close,” it continued to inspire workers in Britain.
External Factors
What did the events of the French Revolution show workers in Britain?
The events of the French Revolution showed workers in Britain that they could see improvements if they all banded together with a common goal.
