the workers

Question 1

why were workers beginning to oppose the regime?

Answer 1

• peasants from different regions or villages often worked and lived together to ameliorate (reduce) the dislocation of moving into the city
• informal organisations of workers (artels) rented communal apartments
• ## this meant that even workers out of the city were beginning to live and work in masses, leaving more time for complaining and discussing the downfalls of the regime (their poor living and working conditions)

Question 2

who organised free lectures and discussions for workers?

Answer 2

• the Museum of Assistance to Labour created ‘people’s universities’ offering evening classes
• meant that more were becoming educated and have a new sense of awareness and understanding and articulate their own opinions and have exposure of new ideas such as socialism and Marxism

Question 3

what statistics show literacy rate was rising?

Answer 3

• literacy rate for male urban workers according to the 1897 census, 57.8% could read among more skilled workers

Question 4

why would a rising literacy rate lead to workers opposing the regime?

Answer 4

• they would read popular broadsheets, cheap thrillers and political leaflets
• and these skilled workers had aspirations to better themselves and improve their quality of life, therefore, will agree with the opposing political opinions they read about

Question 5

what were living conditions like for workers?

Answer 5

• large factories containing thousands of workers
• long hours, normally over 11
• harsh environment, workers were disciplined and fined for small infractions
• accidents causing death and serious injury were common and there was a high rate of disease
• wages generally low
• unstable and unsecure employment - many fell into dispiriting destitution
• some slept by their machines
• workers slept on plank beds in dirty, grease covered bedding