From The Worms of the Earth Against the Lions”

What is the main theme of Barbara W. Tuchman’s essay?

The main theme is the contrast between the oppressed peasants (the "worms") and the powerful ruling class (the "lions"), and the inevitable conflict between them.

What event does Tuchman explore in her essay?

Tuchman explores the Peasants' Revolt of 1381 in England.

What were the main causes of the Peasants' Revolt?

the revolt was caused by dissatisfaction among peasants due to the labor shortage after the Black Death, laws capping wages, a poll tax, and the oppression from the ruling class.

Who led the peasants during the revolt?

The peasants were led by Wat Tyler.

What were the peasants demanding during the revolt?

The peasants demanded the end of feudalism, the abolition of oppressive taxes, and greater social and economic equality.

What happened when the peasants entered London?

The peasants burned legal documents, killed government officials, and briefly achieved success in their cause.

Why did the Peasants' Revolt ultimately fail?

The revolt failed after Wat Tyler was killed, leading to the peasants’ leaderless defeat, and the government’s brutal repression.

What was the outcome for the peasants after the revolt?

The peasants were quickly subdued, many were executed, and the oppressive system remained intact.

What does Tuchman conclude about the Peasants’ Revolt?

Tuchman concludes that while the revolt failed to achieve its immediate goals, it was an early expression of resistance against entrenched power.

How does Tuchman view the nature of history in her essay?

Tuchman views history as cyclical, where oppressed groups often struggle against powerful systems, but with limited success.

What were the root causes of the Peasants' Revolt?

The revolt was caused by social and economic dissatisfaction, oppressive laws like the poll tax, and restrictions on peasants' rights after the Black Death.

How did the Black Death affect the peasants?

The Black Death reduced the population, creating a labor shortage. The surviving peasants gained some bargaining power, but the ruling class tried to suppress their demands.

What was the significance of the poll tax?

The poll tax was unfair because it was levied on all individuals, regardless of their wealth, and united the peasants in their anger.

What does the rebellion symbolize in Tuchman’s essay?

The rebellion symbolizes the conflict between the powerless peasants ("the worms") and the powerful ruling elite ("the lions"

Who was Wat Tyler, and what role did he play in the revolt?

Wat Tyler was a key leader of the revolt, inspiring the peasants to demand reforms. His death marked the beginning of the rebellion's downfall.

What were the achievements of the Peasants’ Revolt?

The peasants briefly gained concessions from King Richard II, including promises of reform, but these were quickly withdrawn.

What was the outcome of the revolt?

The revolt was crushed through military force, and many rebels were executed. The oppressive system remained intact.

What does Tuchman say about the nature of revolutions?

Tuchman says revolutions often fail to achieve their immediate goals due to the power of ruling classes, but they are important as expressions of resistance and can spark long-term change.

How did the Peasants' Revolt set a precedent for future uprisings?

The revolt revealed the deep dissatisfaction of the lower classes and showed the growing challenges to feudalism and monarchy, setting a precedent for future uprisings

What broader historical pattern does the revolt represent?

The revolt represents the ongoing struggle of oppressed groups against entrenched systems of power.

What does Tuchman mean by “worms” versus “lions”?

The “lions” represent the powerful ruling elite, including the monarchy, landowners, and clergy, while the “worms” symbolize the peasants, who were oppressed but capable of uniting in opposition when pushed too far.

What is the cyclical nature of history in Tuchman’s essay?

Tuchman suggests that history repeats itself, where oppressed groups rise against their rulers but often fail. However, these uprisings expose flaws in the system and can lead to gradual change over time.

How does Tuchman describe the fragility of revolutionary movements?

tuchman emphasizes that rebellions can be easily weakened if they rely on a single leader, as seen when Wat Tyler was killed. His death led to the collapse of the Peasants’ Revolt.

What is Tuchman’s critique of the ruling class?

Tuchman criticizes the ruling class for their brutal response to the revolt and for reneging on promises of reform. This shows how far they were willing to go to maintain their power.

What were the broader implications of the Peasants’ Revolt?

Although the revolt failed, it demonstrated the power of collective action and foreshadowed future challenges to feudalism and rigid hierarchies in society.

How does Tuchman view the significance of the Peasants’ Revolt?

Tuchman views the revolt as historically significant, not because it succeeded, but because it highlighted the dynamics of power, resistance, and the slow progression of social change.

demagogue

• 1. a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power; 2. a leader championing the cause of the common people in ancient times

animosity

a strong feeling of dislike or hatred

provoke

to arouse a feeling or action

Reasons for the 1381 revolt in England

•  the additional poll tax on the peasants

• the bonds of villeinage (form of slavery)

• lack of legal and political rights

The cause-and-effect factors that laid the groundwork for the revolt:

Cause: poverty + spread of the plague + corrupt government, military, and religious leaders 

Effect: ordinary people suffered and questioned whether they needed to respect those leaders

The cause-and-effect factor that made many peasants leave the rebellion

Cause: belief in the King’s divine right + distribution of charters by the King on the spot

Effect: many groups of peasants departed, believing in the King as their protector

According to Tuchman, what was the immediate cause of the revolution?   

The immediate cause was a poll tax which was the third in four years.

Where did the peasants get some of their ideas about equality and freedom?

 The peasantry acquired some of these ideas from clergy such as John Ball, Lollard priests, and the Dominican John Bromyard.

Where did the Peasants' Rebellion reach its climax, according to this accoun

The rebellion reached its climax on the outskirts of London

Does Tuchman's explanation of the peasants' revolt reveal bias? Explain.

Tuchman reveals a bias in favor of the rebels by quoting from them extensively, while barely quoting the royals or their supporters

What is a primary source?

It is an eyewitness or contemporary view of an event 

 What is a secondary source?

 It is an interpretation and analysis of primary sources

What is bias?

  It is a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment; prejudice.

What is objectivity?  

it is neutrality; reporting facts without taking sides or expressing an opinion

What is interpretation in historical writing?

In historical writing, it is the writer's own evaluation of the facts.

he first poll tax did not meet expectations

Effect: a second poll tax was necessary 

Effect: The rural peasants were constantly complaining

 Peasants in Kent and Essex refused payment of the poll tax.

Effect: resistance to poll tax grew more widespread

Effect: there was violence in Kent

Effect: peasants marched on London to present their demands