Unionism And Cooperation (booklet 4)

Question 1

What was the GNCTU and how significant was it’s impact on Britain?

Answer 1

Grand National Consolidated Trades Union 1834. No significant impact, only attempt and failure to organise a general strike, and then collapse due to lack of money as only 16,000 payed subscription.

Question 2

Name a reason model unions had no significant impact in Britain.

Answer 2

Model Unions formed after 1851 had to pay subscription fees and catered to a small number of skilled workers. Eg Amalgamated Society of Engineers.

Question 3

How did employers affect the usefulness of trade unions?

Answer 3

They were hostile and could defeat strikes by locking workers out (like Engineers strike 1852).

Question 4

How did the government view trade unions?

Answer 4

Not considered a threat. Given concessions.

Question 5

How did trade unions grow despite what happened to the tolpuddle martyrs?

Answer 5

Tolpuddle martyrs’ fate did not stop the growth- by 1874 over 1 million workers had joined a trade Union.

Question 6

What happened to the tolpuddle martyrs?

Answer 6

Arrested in 1834 for swearing an oath to improve their wages.

Question 7

How did the ASE have an impact ?

Answer 7

Amalgamated Society of Engineers 1851. Created ‘new model’ for other trade unions and for trades to become unionised.

Question 8

How did unions improve?

Answer 8

Better funded and better managed, so attracted new members. ASE could pay builders in London £3000 to help their strike in 1860.

Question 9

How did the formation of trades councils and the TUC have a widespread impact and when?

Answer 9

Labour organised at a regional and National level. TUC first meeting in 1868 with 34 attendants.

Question 10

What was ‘the document’

Answer 10

Made by employers for workers to sign and state they will not join a union.

Question 11

How did the shift to factory production facilitate trade unions? give an example group

Answer 11

Brought workers together to make collective organisation easier. New industrial towns helped union growth in centres like Manchester Weavers.

Question 12

How did work change when shifting to factory production?

Answer 12

Used to be done in small units : master, journeyman and apprentice with direct connection between employer/employee. Factories made divisions and conflicting ideals.

Question 13

Why did trade unions have to form after the shift to factory production?

Answer 13

Dangerous unguarded machinery and long hours, trade unions to confront issues. Factory employment dominating entire trades led to general unions like John Doherty’s general spinners union.

Question 14

Give an example of a general union

Answer 14

John Doherty’s general spinners union, 1829.

Question 15

What was one association formed due to discontent with war?

Answer 15

Wigan weavers 1799 formed association to stop wage reduction. 14 branches in Lancashire by may 1799. Growing mutual support.

Question 16

What external factor created economic discontent? how did this help TU?

Answer 16

War with French Republic 1793. Create suitable environment for growth of trade unions.

Question 17

How did French Revolution and war bring issues of low wages into focus?

Answer 17

Caused high food prices and cost of living.

Question 18

Britains population increase.

Answer 18

1750-1850, 6 million to 17 million.

Question 19

Give an example of government intervention to trade unions.

Answer 19

Combination acts, 1799 and 1800. But repealed 1824.

Question 20

How were the development of NMUs an achievement of trade unions?

Answer 20

Defined role and provided model for trade union organisation after 1851. Gained legal status and became accepted practice.

Question 21

How did NMUs help the development of trade unions?

Answer 21

Capitalised on booming economy to irganise staple industries. Like ASE, 1851, with 12,000 members who could afford to pay london builders £3000 to help their strike in 1860.

Question 22

How was the GNCTU an achievement?

Answer 22

1833 pioneered idea of National trade Union for workers with over 1 million members. However only 16,000 payed subscription fees so failed general strike in 1834.

Question 23

How was the TUC an achievement? when founded?

Answer 23

Founded in 1868 as recognised national voice for trade unionists and workers. Forerunner was london trades council formed 1860.

Question 24

What was an achievement of early trade unions?

Answer 24

Campaigned for voice to defend standards of living, recognised by government repeal of combination acts 1824.

Question 25

What was an achievement in relation to the Tolpuddle Martyrs?

Answer 25

Campaign in defence resulted in full pardon in 1836. Kept trade unionism alive.

Question 26

What did trade unions achieve by supporting chartists campaigns?

Answer 26

Coherent voice for workers rights and presented threat to government. Like general strike of 1842, 3 chartist petitions in 1839,42,48.

Question 27

What made skilled and unskilled workers put their differences aside and join together?

Answer 27

The creation of the TUC and the Sheffield meeting. Discard divisions.

Question 28

How did trade unionism improve after 1834?

Answer 28

MORE ORGANISED/COORDINATED/CENTRALISED. Formation of TUC, trades councils and new model unions. ASE positive relations with liberal party. Better funding.

Question 29

How did the London Trades council help centralisation?

Answer 29

Centre for many organised trades and unions nationally. Forefront of TUC formation.

Question 30

How many members did the GNCTU have in 1834, and how many workers had joined trade unions by 1874?

Answer 30

1 million, 1 million

Question 31

What acts show that trade unionism had changed only slightly after 1834?

Answer 31

Master and servant act of 1823 reformed in 1867 but not removed. Glasgow Trades council wanted it repealed form 1858 but didn’t happen.

Question 32

When did trade unions become legal?

Answer 32

Only fully legal in 1871 Trade Union Act.

Question 33

Who were the London Printers?

Answer 33

1793 petitioned for increase wages due to high living costs. 539 signatures, were successful.

Question 34

how were Friendly societies run? what did they do?

Answer 34

Regulated by gov, encouraged by Registration of Friendly Societies Act 1793. 1815, friendly societies provided insurance for 1/3 of population.

Question 35

Radical societies- peterloo

Answer 35

Peterloo 1819 Henry Hunt at St Peter’s fields, 60,000 people, yeomanry involved, 11 died 400 injured.

Question 36

who was a part of the BPU radical society?

Answer 36

Working and middle class. founded by Thomas Atwood.

Question 37

how did new lanark promote self help?

Answer 37

it stressed self help and education- founded new lanark infant school 1816, no u10 could work.

Question 38

how did new lanark promote self help?

Answer 38

it stressed self help and education- founded new lanark infant school 1816, no u10 could work.

Question 39

example of encouraging self help

Answer 39

first cooperative congress 1831, urged Peel’s advice of self help.

Question 40

example of self help

Answer 40

first cooperative congress 1831, urged Peel’s advice of self help.

Question 41

how did new lanark show communal living?

Answer 41

1800 12hr day with 1.5hr break- same hours solidarity. free education for children.

Question 42

examples of communal living

Answer 42

Rochdale pioneers 1844, 28 artisans established cooperative business. 500 cooperative stores nationwide.

Question 43

economic pros of new lanark

Answer 43

equal distribution of wealth, profits of £300k, paid workers in 4 months of shutdown- fairer working conditions more profitable.