Government Response To Trade Unions Flashcards
What did the Combination Acts of 1799/1800 declare?
3 month prison time for anyone found guilty of organising trade unions
Why were the 1799/1800 Combination Acts not successful?
Poorly carried out - few people arrested so trade unions remained
What Act Was passed in 1797?
Unlawful Oaths Act
What was the reasoning for the 1797 Act, and why was it preferred?
Created primarily as a reaction due to fears of revolution in France, meant it was preferred as harsher punishment - scared trade unionists more
Why was this Act mainly ignored past 1815?
The threat of revolution was mainly gone
What was the shift in government attitude in 1820s?
Government more open minded to trade unions, for example Robert Peel
Why were the government more open minded after 1820?
Food prices were 1/3 lower, GDP had increased by 16.8% - Government could afford to be more sympathetic as less fear of revolutions (also 1819 Six Acts reduced their fear)
What Act was passed in 1823, and what did it suggest?
Master and Servant Act, meant that a failed strike could be persecuted
Between 1857-1875, how many people were prosecuted from the 1823 Act?
10,000
How does the 1823 Act go against the idea of more open minded government?
Showed that the government still favoured employers rights
Who were the Tolpuddle Martyrs?
6 farm labourers who met to discuss pay - George Loveless was leader
What act were the Toldpuddle Martyrs treasoned with, and what happened to them?
1797 Unlawful Oaths Act, were deported to Australia
Why were the Toldpuddle Martyrs treated so harshly?
Government were fearful of trade unionism spreading to rural areas so wanted to make an example - violence already been shown in 1830 Swing Riots
When were the Toldpuddle Martyrs?
1834
What was the reaction to the Toldpuddle Martyrs sentencing?
Large scale demonstrations, resulted in government turning back on their punishment in 1836
