Britain 4: growth of unionism Flashcards
Growth of unionism
What are the 4 factors?
Factory system
French rev
Worker’s protecting themselves
Govt policies
Factory system
What were the 3 levels of job?
Apprentice, journeyman, master
Factory system
What were you fined if you were 10 minutes late?
2 hours of wages
Factory system
What would you be fined if you were caught talking?
1/5 of daily wage
Factory system
What did employers use to stop trade unions membership?
The document
Factory system
What were the average weekly wages?
12-15 shillings
Factory system
Why did workers feel they had to group together?
To balance the power of masters (eg Arkwright vs them)
Factory system
How long was the working week?
6 days long for 14 hours
French Revolution
What book spread ideas of radicalism?
Thomas Paine’s Rights of Man
French Revolution
What rose, highlighting just how low wages were?
Food prices
French Revolution & war
How many soldiers returned home from war at the same time?
400,000
French Revolution & war
Why did the return of soldiers cause a growth of unions?
People were seeking employment
French Revolution
When did the French Revolution start, causing economic discontent?
1793
French Revolution
What did the weavers in Wigan do?
Form an association to stop wage reduction
Protection for workers
How many signatures did the London Printers get for their petition to increase wages?
539
Protection for workers
What did Britain’s population grow from and to 1750-1850?
1750 = 6 million
1850 = 17 million
Protection for workers
Combers’ and Weavers’ Association raised how much in subscription fees?
£15,000
Govt policies
When were the Combination Acts?
1799 and 1800
Govt policies
What were people often prosecuted under as it was harsher?
1797 Unlawful Oaths Act
Govt policies
What did the Master and Servant Act do?
Make the breaking of a contract an offence punishable with imprisonment (this included strikes)
Govt policies
When was the Master and Servant Act?
1823
Govt policies
Between what years were there an average of 10,000 prosecutions a year?
1857-1875
Govt policies
When did Peel repeal the Combination Acts?
1824
Govt policies
What did the repeal of the combinations acts encourage?
Encouraged workers to find more effective outlets to register their problems
Govt policies
Despite govt attempts, how did trade unionism still grow?
Postal service and rail network improved allowing better communication between groups
