Merthyr Rising 1831 - Explain why the Merthyr Rising occurred

Question 1

Economic

Answer 1

• 3 year depression in the iron industry which started in 1829
• Merthyr was a one industry town i.e. iron industry
• Court of requests seized property to pay debts
• Wage reductions by Crawshay
• Many families in debt
• 84 puddlers sacked

EXAMPLE: Crowd’s demands for higher wages outside of the Castle Inn on 3rd June

Question 2

Social

Answer 2

• Working and living conditions were poor
• Houses rented from iron master and//or shop owners
• Truck System
• Epidemics e.g. Cholera
• Court of Requests
• Poverty-stricken workers were forced to accept poor relief
• Lack of worker independence
• Iron masters lived locally
• Population increase

EXAMPLE: Crowd’s demands for suppression of court of requests and cheaper goods and materials outside the Castle Inn 3rd June

Question 3

Political

Answer 3

• No vote for W/C
• Merthyr did not have a MP
• Reform crisis = demonstrations
• Considerable political activity in Merthyr
• Political Union formed in 1830 to protest against Truck System
• Possibility of T/Us being established e.g. N.A.P.L
• Political meetings e.g. Waun Common 30th May 1831
• Combination of local and national issues