Trade Unions and unionism 1886-1914

Question 1

Trade union membership in 1888

Answer 1

750,000, 10% of all adult male workers

Question 2

Why did new unionism emerge

Answer 2

The economic depression which had led to increased unemployment and terrible social conditions

Question 3

How were new unions different from model unions

Answer 3

They represented the unskilled workers and adopted a more militaristic approach

Question 4

How were new unions easy to join

Answer 4

They represented everyone within industry and charged very low subscriptions

Question 5

1875 Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act

Answer 5

Decriminalised the work of trade unions and made picketing viable again

Question 6

1888 Bryant Match Girls Strike

Answer 6

A successful strike which campaigned for better working conditions as the girls had had to endure dangerous work of dipping sticks in yellow phosphorous

Question 7

1889 Gas Workers Union Strike

Answer 7

A successful strike where they campaigned for an 8 hour day rather than 12 hour shifts, and it was quickly agreed by the Metropolitan Gas Company
It was led by Will Thorn

Question 8

1889 Dockers Strike

Answer 8

A successful strike over low pay

The strike lasted for 5 weeks and were supported by money rates by union supports in Australia

Question 9

1890 May Day demonstration

Answer 9

A strike in favour of an 8 hour day, with 300,000 people attending

Question 10

Blackleg labour

Answer 10

In 1893, the National Free Labour Association were able to provide blackleg labour to employers to replace the strikers

Question 11

Lyons v Wilkins case

Answer 11

Set a precedent for outlawing even peaceful picketing

Question 12

How did the 1901 Taff Vale judgment impact trade unions

Answer 12

The union was made to pay £23,000 in compensation and costs
It made unions realise that strike action was too risky
Made them move to political action

Question 13

How did the 1906 Trade Disputes Act help unions

Answer 13

Overturned the Taff Vale judgement so trade unions could strike again

Question 14

Osbourne Judgement

Answer 14

Meant that trade unions could not fund political parties, which dealt a blow to the Labour Party

Question 15

Trade Union Act 1913

Answer 15

Overturned the Osbourne Judgement

Question 16

Trade union membership growth

Answer 16

2.5 million in 1908 to 4.1 million in 1914

Question 17

Number of working days lost in 1912 due to strikes

Answer 17

41 million

Question 18

What new type of strikes emerged

Answer 18

The first ever national railway strike in 1911

First ever national transport strike in 1912

Question 19

Syndicalism

Answer 19

Argued for a class war, with trade unions governing a revolutionary society

Question 20

George Sorel’s impact on syndicalism

Answer 20

Published ‘Reflections on Violence’

Question 21

Tom Mann’s impact on syndicalism

Answer 21

Set up the Industrial Syndicalist League

Was imprisoned following his publication of the ‘Don’t shoot leaflet’

Question 22

Evidence that syndicalism was ignored

Answer 22

The Labour Party condemned it
Most people were sceptical of it due to Bolsheviks in Russia
Majority of Union leaders were moderates

Question 23

Evidence that syndicalism was important

Answer 23

There were strong signs of syndicalist movements in South Wales and Liverpool
Stirred up grass roots trade unionists

Question 24

Example of associations being made to counter unions

Answer 24

The Federation of the Engineering Employers organised a successful lockout of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers

Question 25

How did the conservative government threaten unions

Answer 25

They encouraged firms to legally challenge the unions

Osbourne Judgement emerged similar to this

Question 26

Success of the Labour Representation committee

Answer 26

Won 3 by elections in 1902-3

Question 27

How did the split of the Liberals over Home Rule affect trade unions

Answer 27

It meant that key radical figures like Chamberlain left the party and affected the union’s links with trade unions

Question 28

LRC

Answer 28

The Labour Representation committee formed in 1900

Question 29

How did the 1901 Taff Vale judgement impact the Labour Party

Answer 29

It led to a rise in membership from 350,000 in 1901 to 861,000 in 1902

Question 30

Fabian society

Answer 30

Set up in 1884 and encouraged evolutionary socialism

Question 31

How many fabian essays were read

Answer 31

27,000 copies were sold in 1889-90

Question 32

Employers and Workmen Act 1875

Answer 32

Prevented prison sentences for employers who broke their contract