Socialism + unionism Flashcards
Changing views of the WC
laissiez faire ideology that had been popular before the late 19th century taught that the poor should receive minimal state support or they would become dependent and lazy.
The popular 1859 book by Samuel Smiles “Self Help” contributed to the view that the WC should work themselves out of poverty (was read + admired by Gladstone).
The success of the Edinburgh Cooperation contributed to this view.
The view was that the WC were poor due to not working hard enough, but this began to change as Seebohm Rowntree’s 1901 “Poverty: a Study of Town Life” showed that the WC of York lived under the “poverty line” mainly due to not being paid enough by businesses + Booth’s “London Poverty Map” which showed that 35% of Londoners lived below the poverty line -> showed politicians the reality of poverty + importance of state intervention -> new direction for the liberal party and creation of Labour.
Trade Unions were feared - Principles of Political Economy (1871) by John Stuart Mill thought unionism may cause “an increase of general wages at the expense of profits”.
Socialist ideology
Marx and Engles’ Communist Manifesto said that the working classes were oppressed and kept in poverty by the upper classes, and that capitalism led to the exploitation of workers.
Marx and Engles called for a revolution to overthrow the bourgeoise and redistribute the means of production to achieve an ideal socialist society -> fuelled upper class’s fears of revolution + created a movement that campaigned for better life for the working classes.
Socialist organisations
Hyndman (a wealthy member of the bourgeoise) led + founded (est. 81) the Social Democratic Federation - wanted a socialist revolution -> wrote a manifesto to bring a political education to the WC - had a policy of “Educate, Agitate, Organise” + used the structure of trade unions to create a more political movement. It was Britain’s 1st Marxist organisation.
in 84 the Fabian Society was founded by intellectuals + founders of LSE Beatrice and Sidney Webb (from a WC background but elevated social status via education) - wanted to “reconstruct society in such a manner as to secure the general welfare and happiness” through gradual improvement of WC conditions rather than via violent revolution.
The Social League (est. 85) - associated w/ William Morris + same principles as SDF - Morris thought that worker’s lives can be improved via working to produce a whole product -> provided insight into economy by implementing craft in his business “The Firm” where he produced high quality and high priced objects and discovered consumers were willing to pay a “just price” -> showed business owners that you didn’t have to compromise working conditions to make a profit.
Independent Labour Party - founded 1893 in Bradford - strong membership of textile workers across Northern England (305 branches formed in it’s 1st year) - inspired by “ethical socialism” a non-Marxist moral critique of capitalism.
1899 - Ruskin College at Oxford was formed to give WC students an Oxford education -> Workers’ Educational Association formed 1903.
Early Unionism
Workplace militancy initially manifested as Luddism (prominent in 1920 Rising in Scotland) -> efforts to set up national general unions from 1830 on.
Red flag of revolution first flown at 1831 Merthyr Rising against the lowering of coal + steel worker’s wages + General unemployment
Trade unionism overshadowed in 1830s + 40s by political activity (especially Chartism) until the start of the Model unions.
Model Unions
in 1842 the General Strike across the Midlands + North of England led to reading of the riot act + gov. Crackdown on unions.
These earlier unions wanted to est. A workers umbrella org. Called the Grand National Consolidated Trades Union (GNCTU) - threatened employers + parliament w/ fears of mass strikes.
First model union (Amalgamated Society of Engineers) est. 51 -> revival of trade unionism in 50s that tried to minimise the threat of revolution. Model unions were small and represented skilled workers - leaders respectable + regarded themselves as elite of the WC -> wanted to improve life via self-help/improvement/education + reasoned negotiations w/ employers.
Functioned as Friendly Societies by setting up benefit schemes to help members in times of hardship -> high subscription rate -> inaccessible to lower WC.
Won support of Gladstone + supported the libs as they preferred bargaining to strike action.
These workers benefited for the 67 expansion of the franchise but unions were still not legally protected or defined.
1860 - London Trades council formed - allowed different model unions to work together - well funded so could appoint permanent employees, have an office in London + lobbied MPs.
Legislation affecting TUs
Royal Commission on Trade Unions established 67 + Trade Union Congress in 68 after Sheffield “outrages” at local union leader attempting to blow up a non-member’s house.
1871 Trade Union Act allows Registrar of Friendly Societies to register trade unions, provides legal basis for activities + protects funds.
71 Criminal Law Amendment Act makes picketing a criminal offence.
75 Conspiracy + Protection of Property Act legalises picketing -> allows unions to go on strike.
76 Trade Union Amendment Act protects union funds.
1895 - TUC introduced the block vote + banned sending delegates from trade councils (viewed as militant) to the annual TNC congress.
1901 Taff Vale ruling made unions pay for losses sustained during a strike - strike action now futile.
Match girls strike (1888)
Bryans + May employed over 2000 women + girls - worked for little pay (so were lower WC) in poor conditions - exposed to white phosphorous which caused painful + deadly cancer in the workers -> wanted Bryans + May to use safer but more expensive red phosphorus.
SDF member Annie Bessant campaigned to improve conditions -> bosses refused + made workers sign declaration that factory conditions were safe.
One worker refused to sign the document + was sacked -> 3 week strike.
Ended as had no funds to supplement wages.
Strike partially successful as conditions were slightly improved but B+M continued using the white phosphorus.
Stopped using white phosphorus 10 years later due to rival Salvation Army matches which used red phosphorus outcompeting.
Lister Mills Strike
Wages in mill cut by 1/3 - strike + sympathetic strike action across London + Bradford.
Unions ran out of funds after 13 weeks.
Riot Act read.
Failure -> showed unions that WC men needed in Parliament -> Labour Party formed.
Kier Hardie’s background
Scottish miner from a lower WC background.
WC MP in a time where the cabinet contained only 4 non-aristocrats.
Had no formal education - taught himself to read + write.
Led miners union.
Lost his job + was blacklisted due to leading successful miners strike in 1880 -> stopped supporting the Liberals + appealed to use union funds to put a WC man in parliament.
Gained support after failure of Lister Mills strike.
Development of labour movement
party emerged due to failures of New Unionism -> strong interrelationship.
Similar ideology as the liberal party (2 of the 3 first Labour MPs joined the Liberals in their term) -> electoral opposition w/each other which would split the anti-con vote -> 1903 Gladstone (son of E.Gladstone + key Liberal politician) - MacDonald (Labour leader) Pact to not field electoral candidates in the same constituencies.
Got 3 MPs into parliament in 92 (including Hardie) + none in 95.
1900 - est. Of the Labour Representation Committee by the TUC - joined seven TU reps - 2 from ILP, two from SDF + one Fabian.
1901 Taff Vale train strikes -> union had to pay £23k to reimburse their employers + Taff Vale ruling meant that unions now had to reimburse employers for strike losses -> strike action now impossible -> many unions pushed towards LRC for political representation.
1908 - Hardie hands over leadership to Henderson -> Labour was seen as a more legitimate political party.
Taff Vale ruling overturned by Libs after victory in the 1906 election - demonstrates influence of Lib-Lab relations.
Increased demand for WC political organisation after the 3rd Reform Act.
