Swing Riots

Question 1

Economic

Answer 1

• Rural poverty in the southern countries of England, population increase = competition for jobs = lower wages e.g. 7 shillings a week
• Highlight wage riots took pace during the Swing Riots e.g. 47 cases in Sussex 1830-32
• Three consecutive bad harvests 1828, 1829 + 1830
• After 1815 corn prices fell and the corn laws failed to stabilise them
• De-skilling through the increasing use of machinery = breaking of agricultural machinery e.g. 97 instances in Wiltshire 1830-32

Question 2

Social

Answer 2

• Breakdown of paternalism e.g. Pyt House in Wiltshire 400 labourers attacked the county MP’s home. Also there were instances of extortion of food and money from the rich e.g. in Hampshire there were 76 cases of robbery
• Operation of the old Poor Law and cuts in Poor Relief e.g. use example in Sussex

Question 3

Political

Answer 3

• Political upheaval in 1830 - revolutions in France + Belgium, and the end to a long period of a Tory Govt led to a heightened sense of expectation
• Swing Riots coincided with the 1830-2 Reform Crisis
• E.g. Swing Rioters were not eligible to vote thus removing a peaceful means of protest

Question 4

Local Grievances

Answer 4

• Increased use of cheap Irish labour + introduction of threshing machines in North and East Kent e.g. include a state of machine breaking for Kent from booklet
• Demands for a reduction in Tithes in east Anglia = Sussex
• Existing local disputes e.g. new drainage schemes and enclosure in Oxfordshire

Question 5

Conclusion

Answer 5

Economic reasons