Trade Unions: Growth of TUs before 1834

Question 1

Factory System: What was the Factory System?

Answer 1

Consolidated in 1769 - pursuing profit and advancement at the expense of the well-being of workers. Forced workers to seek collective representation.

Question 2

Factory System: what was the population growth between 1750 and 1850?

Answer 2

6 million in 1750 to 17 million in 1850.

Question 3

Factory System: What was a common wage of a worker in a factory?

Answer 3

12-15 shillings a week.

Question 4

Factory System: How was work conducted prior to factories?

Answer 4

Master and his journeymen / apprentices would work in a home in small units of labour

Question 5

Factory System: What was a disadvantage of the factory system in regards to size of the workforce?

Answer 5

Severed the line of communication between master and servant, became forceful rather than partnership. implied different goals.

Question 6

Government Policies: What acts were a catalyst for growth in unionism?

Answer 6

Combination acts in 1799 and 1800 introduced by William Pitt.

Question 7

Government Policies: What acts harsh punishment lead to the combination act being undermined?

Answer 7

1797 Unlawful Oaths acts

Question 8

Government Policies: What was the sentence for being charged under the Combination Acts?

Answer 8

Only 3 months jail time.

Question 9

Government Policies: When were the Combination Acts repealed?

Answer 9

1824 by more open minded politicians such as Peel and Hume.

Question 10

Government Policies: What was the effect of the repeal of the Combination Acts?

Answer 10

Legitimised unionism; allowed for men like John Doherty to emerge founding the 1829 General Union of Operative Spinners and the National Association for the Protection of Labour.

Question 11

External Factors: What socio-economic issue lead to general populous discontent?

Answer 11

Rising Food Prices from food shortages caused by the war with France.

Question 12

External Factors: What event caused fear of social uprising in the British Government?

Answer 12

the French Revolutions resulting in the beheading of Louis IX and Marie Antoinette in 1789.

Question 13

External Factors: What was the Wigan Weavers Association?

Answer 13

1799 - 14 branches in Lancashire motivated by the worsening conditions caused by The French War.

Question 14

Protection For Workers: How many members did the Grand National have?

Answer 14

1 million Members

Question 15

Protection For Workers: What was the LP trade union?

Answer 15

1793 London Printers.

Question 16

Protection For Workers: What was an evident bid for change by the London Printers?

Answer 16

Petitioned their masters for wage increases in 1793 and got 539 signatures.

Question 17

Protection For Workers: Who else emerged to represent the (skilled) workers.

Answer 17

Friendly Society of Ironfounders (1809), The Potters and the Operative Cotton Spinners (1810).