The Rebecca Riots 1839-43

Question 1

What were the Rebecca riots?

Answer 1

A series of protests by farmers and agricultural workers aftet agricultural crisit in 1830s in rural areas in South West Wales
The rioters dressed as women and attacked Toll gates to protest unfair taxes and high tolls
Leader called Rebecca symbolic of a passage from the bible

Question 2

What were the economic causes of the Rebecca riots?

Answer 2

• between 1839-41 there was a succession of bad harvests but in 42 a good harvest decreased the price of corn + Peels tariff reform increased import of meat and livestock decreasing the price
• poor rate had changed in 1834 they now had to go into workhouses to receive poor relief
  -the tithe communication act 1836 cost was fixed nationally and could only be paid for in money
• turnpike trusts charged tolls for using the road to pay to build and repair them however farmers had to pay and might even be charged twice if they did not make the journey in 24 hours
• the tithe commutation act 1836 fixed at national rate and had to be payed in money + turnpike trusts

Question 3

What were the social/cultural causes of the Rebecca riots?

Answer 3

• press development lead to newspapers such as the camarthen journal encouraged farmers to protest terrible social conditions that existed on the area
• a clear division between English landlords and Welsh speaking non-conformist farmers leading to landlords charging unfairly high rents

Question 4

What were the religious causes of the Rebecca riots?

Answer 4

The influence of non-conformist chapels throught sunday schools which provided farmers with education and periodicals that criticised the church of England and its members the English landowners

Question 5

What were the events of the Rebecca riots?

Answer 5

Crowds gathered and destroyed Toll gates and toll houses these riots spread through South Wales after October 1842. As support grew so did the amount of violence for instance a toll keeper was blinded by a gunshot wound. Also started to attack the property of those who spoke and acted against Rebecca + landowners and clergyman. In 1843 their tactics changed from violence to peaceful meetings where grievances were discussed.

Question 6

What was the government’s response?

Answer 6

• 2 metropolitan police were sent form london
• magistrates attempted to use special constables but failed (gave false info)
• government sent 800 troops to put down the riots
• some rioters arrested + David Davies and John Jones
• Royal commission to look into grievances this lead to turnpike trusts act 1844 which reduced tolls

Question 7

What were the results of the Rebecca riots?

Answer 7

Rural poverty still remained + tithe and poor law hated continued
Turnpike trusts act 1844 lessend the tolls specifically when farmers transported lime