7 - industrial and agrarian disorder during the industrial revolution

History

What was the Combination Act of 1799-1800, and why was it significant?

The Combination Act made it illegal for workers to combine (form unions) to improve their wages and working conditions. It was introduced by the government to suppress labor unrest caused by the hardships of the Industrial Revolution.

Who were the Luddites, and what did they do?

The Luddites were weavers in the Midlands and northern England who protested between 1812-1813. They were angry about machines replacing their jobs and responded by smashing textile machinery in industrial towns.

What was the Spa Fields Riot of 1816?

The Spa Fields Riot took place in London. It began as a peaceful mass meeting demanding electoral reform but escalated into violence and rioting, reflecting widespread frustration with poverty and government policies.

What was the Peterloo Massacre (1819), and why did it happen?

The Peterloo Massacre occurred in Manchester when cavalry officers violently broke up a mass meeting of around 60,000 people who were peacefully demanding electoral reform. Eleven people were killed, and many more were injured and arrested.

What were the Swing Riots (1830-1831), and what caused them?

The Swing Riots were a series of protests by farm laborers in South-East England against wage cuts and the introduction of threshing machines, which replaced manual labor. Protesters destroyed machinery, burned hayricks, and attacked landlords' property.

Who was ‘Captain Swing,’ and what was his role in the Swing Riots?

‘Captain Swing’ was a fictional name signed on threatening letters sent to landowners before attacks on property, warning them to remove machines or face destruction.

What were the Rebecca Riots (1839-1843), and why did they happen?

The Rebecca Riots were protests in South-West Wales by farmers against increased rents and high tolls on turnpike roads. Protesters, dressed as women, followed a leader called ‘Rebecca’ and destroyed tollgates. They also attacked workhouses, which symbolized poverty and government oppression.

What was the Chartist movement (1839-1848), and what did it demand?

The Chartists were a national movement campaigning for voting rights for working people and fairer elections. Some groups used peaceful protests, while others resorted to violence.

What happened during the Newport Chartist Rising in 1839?

A march of 5,000 Chartists, led by John Frost, Zephaniah Williams, and William Jones, took place in Newport. The protest turned into a riot, resulting in multiple deaths and arrests.

What was the Llanidloes disturbance of April 1839?

In Llanidloes, Chartists attacked the Trewythen Arms hotel, which housed London policemen sent to maintain order. Following the violence, 32 Chartists were arrested.

Who were the Scotch Cattle, and what did they protest against?

The Scotch Cattle were a secret organization of young Welsh-speaking colliers in South Wales. They disguised themselves by blacking their faces and wearing animal skins while protesting against the truck system, high rents, and wage cuts. They called for strikes and attacked the property of industrialists.

What was the fate of John Morgan, a member of the Scotch Cattle movement?

John Morgan, a young miner, was hanged in 1835 for killing a woman during a raid in Bedwellty. His execution led to the decline of the Scotch Cattle movement.