Early Trade Societies Flashcards
Emerging factory system
Created an increased demand for workers who gathered together in one place to create class consciousness as a mass of working class is experiencing the same conditions together
Industrial revolution
Change from a cottage system that was on a much smaller scale so they had a direct connection with the employer
Change for employees due to the industrial revolution
Employees became wage slaves in a mass of people under an industrialist so lost their independence and control of their working live so instead they joined trade societies e.g London printers
Early trade society uses
Initiated by skilled tradesmen such as printers, mechanics and cobblers who sought to protect both their trade and their bargaining hand which sets values above those of unskilled
London printers
1793 which petitioned their masters for an increase in their fees given the rising cost of living. They obtained 539 signatures
Economic policies
Adam smith wealth of nations 1776 promoted laissez faire economics which the government adopted to benefit the manufacturers and the landed gentry
This meant that employers were more independent so were able to have bad conditions
Population growth
Between 1750 and 1850 the population grew from 6 million to 17 million which reinforced the freedom of the employers to set bad conditions since if their workers left then others could be easily found
Napoleonic wars
1793-1815 created high prices of staple goods for the w/c - price of bread rose 6 times so created economic discontent so caused a greater need for mutual support
Weavers in Wigan
1799 weavers in Wigan organised themselves into a trade union to strengthen their hand in stopping wage reductions and by 1799 the association of weavers had 14 branches
Creation of the industrial m/c
Caused trade unions because they were the factory owners who were driven by profit so wanted cheap workers
Caused by the industrial revolution
Creation of the middle class
Came out of the factory system since they were living in back to back houses moving to urban towns
Communication
Postal, canals, railway from the 1820’s made it easier for trade unions to grown such as the GNCTU in 1834 with 1 million members
GNCTU
Before 1834 had 1 million members and presented the impression of a united organisation of workers from Robert Owen
However it remained as a body of independent unions and couldn’t support them when on strike since only 16000 had paid the sub fee and also caused widespread use of the document
Government policies
Repeal of the combination acts in 1824 meant a more enlightened attitude under the more open minded Robert peel which reflected a desire to encourage more effective outlets for workers
However it reflected the circumstances. After 1820 food prices were 1/3 lower and gross national product rose by 16.8% so they could afford to be sympathetic
Master and servant act 1823
Breaking of a contact an offence punishable with imprisonments e.g a strike which resulted in the failure to complete work was considered a breach of agreement between 1857 and 1875 there were 10000 prosecutions each year