Important Robert Owen Facts Flashcards
What were the years he was alive?
1771 - 1858
What did he set up in 1834?
Grand National Consolidated Trade Union (GNCTU)
What 2 ideas did he come up with?
Co-operative movement, Utopian Socialism
Where was his factory?
New Lanark, Scotland
Where did he invest fortunes in the Us?
New Harmony, Indiana (lasted 2 years)
What was he elected for in 1793?
Member of Manchester Literary and Philosophical society
What did his position as a member of the Manchester board of health enable him to do?
Promote improvements in health and safety of factory workers.
What did New Lanark pay their workers in? And why did this stop?
Tokens to spend at the local Tuck Shop. Abolished in 1831-1887 under Tuck Acts.
Name two people who helped in the growth of the co-operative movement?
Jeremy Bentham and William Allen
What were two of his essays and what did they speak about?
‘New view of society’ and ‘Principle of formation if the human character’ - showed his socialist views
What did the government do in response to his movement?
(Cotton Mills) Factory Act 1819, forbade the employment of children under 9
What was the National Equitable Labour Exchange?
Founded in 1832, workers could exchange goods they had produced for credit notes to the value of how many hours it took to make that product which they could the. Use to buy other goods to the equal time value of that labour.
How long was New Lanark being operated by Robert Owen?
1799-1828
Give 3 reforms that Owen introduced into his factory
Working day no longer than 12 hours, Minimum working age was 10, profits used to educate children
What did Owen do when the US placed embargo on cotton supplies in 1806?
He continued to pay his workers
How many co-operative stores were there by 1832?
500
