Rebecca Riots Flashcards
When
1839- mid1840s
Who
Farmers and Agricultural workers led by Thomas Rees
Where
Wales , CARMARTHENSHIRE
Context
Mechanisation of farms
Falling income
Industrialisation required an improving transport network
Why did they protest
Farmers were having to pay several tolls on one journey due to private companies buying roads, improving them and then charging people to use them.
Rents were raising
Workers were made to pay high taxes (TITHIES) to the Church of Wales
How did they protest
Dressed as women and smashed toll gates,
1839 destroyed EFAILWEN gate and gangs attacked others
1840s arson attacks on farms
1843 toll gate keeper Sarah Williams killed
What was the reaction
1800 soldiers sent
70 London policemen sent rewards of £500 offered for information
Some leaders imprisoned and 5 sentenced to transportation
Outcome
Prime Minister Robert Peel set up an enquiry which resulted in the TURNPIKES ACT of 1844 which halved the toll cost
A Roads Board was set up to regulate toll gates
