Trade Unionism 1785 - 1834 Flashcards
How much did the population grow between 1750 and 1850?
From 6 mil to 17+ mil
How did population growth affect strike action?
Increased population growth increased the demand for work therefore strikers could easily be replaced
Who were knobsticks?
Those who opposed trade unions, because they had to work to provide for their families
What was the difference between a trade union and a trade society?
Trade unions were larger scale
What is an entrepreneur?
A person who sees and takes advantage of a business opportunity despite some financial risk
What was a closed shop?
A business that only employed members of a specific trade union
What was the impact of the government’s laissez faire attitude on workers?
Employers had free rein and so exploited their employees
Who were the London printers? (1793)
Petitioned to increase wages in reaction to the increased living cost of London
Gained 539 signatures
Were successful in achieving their aims
What is an artisan?
A skilled worker who makes goods using traditional techniques
What 2 factors triggered the increasingly universal approach to trade unionism?
1793 - war with France created economic discontent for all (nationalised)
Factory work - severed traditional cotton industry relationship between employee and employer…. workers wanted their voices heard. As well as poorer working conditions
What Acts in 1799/1800 made trade unionism illegal?
The Combination Acts
When were the Combination Acts repealed?
1824
What was molestation? when was it made illegal
to pressurise fellow workers into joining a strike - 1825
What impact did railways and the postal service have on the TUM?
Improved communication, and helped to nationalise the TUM
What is Utopian Socialism?
Utopian socialists do not support class struggle or political insurrection, but favour peaceful negotiation.
Between what years did Robert Owen operate New Lanark?
1799-1828
What was Robert Owen’s goal?
to create a “humane workplace”, using cooperative methods
5 reforms at New Lanark
- managers had autonomy
- silent monitor system motivated
- banned employment of under 10s, or children’s night shifts,
- 30 mins ed a day under 18
When was the Grand National Consolidated Trade Union founded?
1834
Describe Owen’s GNCTU
welcomed both skilled and unskilled labourers
nationalised
why did the GNCTU fail in 1835?
The Document, relied on voluntary funding, crippled supporting loyal strikers
What Act was passed in 1793?
The Friendly Societies Act - Friendly societies had to report activity to local authorities
How did the shift from cottage to factory industry impact TUs?
cut of communication with journeyman, profit > respect and fair wages
What impact did the Napoleonic wars have of TUs?
twofold - created economic discontent so grew eg) association of Weavers had 14 branches in lancashire by 1799
- promoted fear of revolution anti TUs from government - Combination Act
What was largely ignored after the end of The Napoleonic Wars?
The Combination Acts
Attempt to nationalise TU in 1818.
why did they collapse
Philanthropic Hercules (LDN) Philanthropic Society (Lancashire) 5 of their leaders arrested during strike action
What was The Master and Servant Act?
1823 - Breaking a contract punishable by inprisonment, 1857 - 1875 10,000 prosecutions per year
What was the impact of laissez faire economics on TU?
decreased government intervention, harsh treatment of workers
How did the growing population affect TU
more looking for work, strike action undermined by Irish immigrants
Why were the government more lenient towards TU in the 1820s?
no war, stable economy (GNP increased by 16.8%) food prices lowered by a 1/3, more liberal eg) Peel and Hume
Evidence that the Government was still anti trade unionism in the 1820s?
Master and Servant Act 1823
New Combination Act 1825 - molestation illegal
What did John Doherty found in 1829, another attempt at nationalising TU?
Grand General Union of Operative Spinners
What was The Document?
employees signed to say that they would not support any TU, weakened TU
