How far do you agree that trade unionism in the years 1785-1834 was a failure?? Flashcards
How far do you agree that trade unionism in the years 1785-1834 was a failure??”
How far do you agree that trade unionism in the years 1785-1834 was a failure??”
Success- early attempts at striking/ repeal of combination acts
Facts- despite combination acts there were major strikes by cotton spinners in Lancashire in 1810 lasting 10 months
- another strike in 1818 supported by weavers but spread to key industries like machine makers, threatening a nationwide stoppage; only resolved when 5 members of organisation were arrested
- the repeal of the combination acts shows that unions were developing to be legal despite their continued illegal growth. Government unable to stop them shows they were too popular to restrict; also shows changing attitudes towards workers.
Despite no formal unions. between workers, they were able to threaten nationwide stoppages of industries, which the government recognised to be vital and so they repeal the combination acts to appease workers, showing some short term success.
Success-Early trade societies
Facts-London Printers in 1793 petitioned their masters for an increase in their fees to combat rising cost of living, gaining 539 signatures. The degree of unity was able to generate basic yet sufficient pressure on employers, showing some success.
-1799 wigan weavers organised into an association to strengthen attempts to end wage reductions. Association had 14 branches in Lancashire by may 1799, who were able to work together to accumulate support for increased wages to battle the declining economic climate
The nature of these early societies were small and localised which limited their power, however the support that they do get across industries shows that there was growing interest for unionism among workers.
Success- early attempts at large unions
Facts- John Doherty 1829 established Grand general union of the operative spin of Great Britain and Ireland as well as the national association for the protection of labour. Although neither lasted for. more than 2 years they showed a growing determination to organise trade unions. GB and Ireland suggests an element of widespread support.
-Grand national consolidated trade unionism 1834; Gave the impression of a single organised union having their interests represented. At its peak it had over a million members and had 500,000 within a weak. Compared to early unions who gained 539 signatures whereas this one had over a million members suggests comparatively more success in the long term in terms of support.
failures- Early trade societies
Facts-
Trade societies primarily formed by skilled tradesmen, excluding the lower classes trying to protect their industries from unskilled labour and industrialisation. Remained small and local. They were undermined by knobsticks- low paid unskilled workers who would replace striking workers for a lower wage, due to increase in population from 6 million to 17 million between 1750-1850, there was always a high supply of cheap labour for employers to draft in, who weren’t concerned with the work of the trade societies because they were desperate for work.
Exclusively skilled workers excludes the unskilled labourers who made up the majority of the work force, undermines the objectives of the trade societies because the unskilled workers were prepared to work for Low wages and in poor conditions, reducing their success.
Failures- Tolpuddle martyrs
facts- 6 farm labourers who formed the friendly society of agricultural labourers protested at their reduced wages of 6 shillings a week, refusing to work for less than 10 shillings a week. 1834 James Frampton wrote to home secretary to complain about the union, resulting in the men being sent to Australia for 7 years and putting an end to their campaign.
Whilst their union ended in complete failure and showed unions had failed to gain acceptance from the government by 1834, they provoked long term support for unionism as 800,000 people signed a petition to protest their punishment and 30,000 marched to Whitehall.
Failures- failure of the grand national
Facts- despite its one million member peak and exponential growth, the GN was unable to support its members because of a lack of organisation and funding. only 16,000 of the 1million members paid fees, and so even the running costs of the organisation could not be met.
- 1500 striking mill workers were locked out of work for failing to leave the union, they lasted 4 months without pay due to insufficient funds, and returned to work
- ‘the Document’ undermined such workers from being employed and being a union member simultaneously. Middle class wanted to protect their unions, and the document was so effective that it contribute to the collapse of the GN by 1835
conclusion/ line of judgement
Trade societies on the whole failed to meet their objectives because they were easily undermined by knobsticks in the short term (which was self inflicted because they focused solely on skilled workers) and the document in the long term which led to the collapse of the GN. However, they did show that popular support for trade societies could be achieved shown by the GN if funding requirements were better met, and the public response after the tolpuddle scandal showed shifting attitudes towards unionism from the public
