Case study - Tolpuddle Martyrs

Why did the authorities in Britain feel vulnerable to political change

The revolutions in France in 1789 leading to thousands of nobility executed and then further uprisings in the 1830s

What does the case of the Tolpuddle Martyrs show us

How the government dealt with threats to authority at this time, and how changing attitudes could influence the government’s approach to, and definitions of, crime

What happened in February 1834 in Tolpuddle

A farm labourer George Loveless was arrested as he was leaving work as well as five others his brother James, James Brine, James Hammett, Thomas Standfield aand his son John

What were the labourers accused of

‘Administering an illegal oath’ - they broke an old law stopping sailors in the navy from organising a mutiny

What was the real motive for their arrest

To stop their political activities as they had sworn to protect their wages and help each other out. Also they formed a ‘friendly society’ an early version of a trade union

What did they want to protest

Their low wages of 6 shillings a week, when the average wage of a farmer was ten shillings a week

What were they sentenced to

7 years transportation to Australia very harsh to deterr others from making unions

What did the the old crown court in Dorchester have which allowed the ruling to be publicised across the country

A press gallery

How many protested in London demonstration

100,000 with 200,000 signatures presented to parliament about the harsh punishment

How many years did it take before they were pardoned

4 the lord in Melbourne refused to go back on the ruling while they were in Australia trade unions supported their families with financial donations. They were welcomed back with a hero’s welcome

What did this ordeal show

how public opinion could influence what was regarded as a crime and how the authorities punished people. Changing attitudes play a big part in what is considered a serious crime