How much influence had the working men and women of Britain achieved by 1870? Flashcards
What two main factors need to be discussed?
unionism and (co-operatives and friendly societies)
How should you approach this question?
Two sides to each factor
When was the TUC founded?
1868
How many members didi the TUC have?
More than 1 million
How can the TUC be described?
A vessel for representation
How did the TUC give workers influence?
This gave working people significant influence as the reduced role of the individual was then represented by a huge collective union, wielding huge influence against industrialists and dressing the failures of previous localised guilds and unions.
What was the TUC’s limitation?
Their limitation was that they are still not completely a unified group, it is merely a forum for many different unions to meet and discuss, so could not impose co-operation.
When was a general trades union established?
1834
How did a general trades union give workers more influence and address previous criticisms of unions?
Previously a limitation had been that unions and trade guilds had only been for skilled workers, whilst other were mere informal labour changes operating from pubs. This shows that the majority of working men and women, who were unskilled labourers, now had a vessel through which they could gain collectivised influence.
How did Chartism give workers more influence?
Chartism was a union in all but name and held their first convention in London in the winter of 1839.
Give an example of what the ASE did?
ASE supported builders in London with 3000 pounds, Wealthy. Successful union demonstrates departure from small, ill equipped unions.
What did the ASCJ demonstrate?
New model unionism was spreading across the country
Why were new model unions very significant?
They represented skilled workers whose professions were vital to the economic success of the country and the mid-victorian boom.
What had the government’s response to trade unions been before 1850?
Before 1850 the government response had been rather negative towards unionism as their laissez-faire economics meant that they sympathised with the employer rather than worker as they were making so much money for the country.
What did the repealing of the combination act in 1824 signify?
This would suggest that there was a more progressive attitude towards unionism in Britain, and that opportunities for greater political influence were slowly being granted.
Give an maple of failure of a strike by unions.
In 1834 1500 mill workers in Derby were locked out of their workplace for failing to leave their union. These workers lasted for 4 months without pay yet eventually were forced to return to work as they weren’t supported but the Grand National
Give a chronological judgement of the impact of unionism
This shows how at the early stages the workers were gaining little influence against their employers, but this was something that deceased as time progressed, suggesting that the working people got more influence towards the end of this time period.
What did the actions of the Chartists mar?
The violence of the chartists tarred the repuition of unions, it was not until 1867 act where skilled workers were given the vote that the government began to believe again that they were worthy.
What did Robert Owen believe?
Happier workers means harder workers
Assess Owen’s work at New Lanark
This was significant as each worker gained slightly more freedom and therefore influence. Yet whilst Owen’s 2500 workers benefited greatly by it, it was extensively localised and this was a huge limitation. Perhaps more significant however was the fact that he inspired some individuals to take his ideas elsewhere.
How did Co-operatives help to give workers more influence?
Co-Operatives gave workers a sense of control, belonging and community, when most of the politicians and industrialists were increasingly individualists and profit-motivated, giving them more influence within their lives.
By 1803 what percentage of the population were members of friendly societies?
8%
By 1816 what proportion of the population had insurance from friendly societies?
⅓ of the population
How did friendly societies help the workers of Britain to gain influence?
This was good for gaining influence for the working population because, as much more of the population had protection from work, which allowed them to exert more influence in the work place. Their success was furthered as they were providing pensions, which means that the state would want to preserve them as the state would no longer have to provide pension for them.
What was a limitation of friendly societies?
Continuous subscription was imposed for membership of the friendly societies, which gave them an air of exclusivity. This limited the true universality of the increased influence that the insurance would allow workers to gain. This is because the very poorest, as well as those with seasonal work, could not afford these subscriptions, so their influence was not increased by the friendly societies, only the skilled worker’s was.
What were co-operatives limited by?
The number and location of their shops. More prolific in the north of the England.
What didi the CO-operatives not try to achieve?
Political change or improve workers’ lives on a national level, mostly in the north.
