British CivilisationBritish CivilisationWeek 5-6Week 5-6

The Industrial The Industrial Revolution Revolution

and the Labour and the Labour Movement,Movement,

Dr. Granville PillarDr. Granville Pillar

The Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution and the Labour Movementand the Labour Movement The transport revolution: The transport revolution:

Stephenson’s “Rocket” (Robert Stephenson’s “Rocket” (Robert Stephenson – 1829)Stephenson – 1829)

The textile revolution: wool, silk, The textile revolution: wool, silk, cotton, flax.cotton, flax.

Wool industry: the Spinning Jenny Wool industry: the Spinning Jenny (James Hargreaves – 1764)(James Hargreaves – 1764)

Silk industry: silk weaving engine Silk industry: silk weaving engine (Thomas (Lombe – 1718)(Thomas (Lombe – 1718)

The Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution and the Labour Movementand the Labour Movement

The Industrial Revolution started in The Industrial Revolution started in the northern part of England.the northern part of England.

Northern England produced steel Northern England produced steel because of large coal and iron ore because of large coal and iron ore deposits.deposits.

Northeast England became the world’s Northeast England became the world’s leading producer of wool products.leading producer of wool products.

Northwest England became the Northwest England became the world’s leading producer of cotton world’s leading producer of cotton products.products.

The Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution and the Labour Movementand the Labour Movement Cotton Industry: by 1830 more than Cotton Industry: by 1830 more than

half of British exports consisted of half of British exports consisted of cotton.cotton.

Flax industry: flax spinning machine Flax industry: flax spinning machine (John Marshal & Matthew Murray (John Marshal & Matthew Murray 1790)1790)

Most of the mines and factories used Most of the mines and factories used child labour.child labour.

Some children worked from 5.00am to Some children worked from 5.00am to 9.00pm for one penny an hour.9.00pm for one penny an hour.

The Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution and the Labour Movementand the Labour Movement In 1822 Michael Sadler introduced Bill In 1822 Michael Sadler introduced Bill

in Parliament to reduce working hours in Parliament to reduce working hours of people under 18 years.of people under 18 years.

Lord Ashley (Lord Shaftsbury) fought Lord Ashley (Lord Shaftsbury) fought to reduce working hours of children.to reduce working hours of children.

In 1840 Lord Ashley set up the In 1840 Lord Ashley set up the Children’s Employment CommissionChildren’s Employment Commission

As a result, women and children were As a result, women and children were prohibited from working underground prohibited from working underground in mines.in mines.

The Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution and the Labour Movementand the Labour Movement In 1811 workers revolted against wage In 1811 workers revolted against wage

reductions and the use of new textile reductions and the use of new textile machines which reduced human labour.machines which reduced human labour.

The Luddite movement began and members The Luddite movement began and members broke into factories and destroyed broke into factories and destroyed machines.machines.

Bill was passed by the government which Bill was passed by the government which allowed for people convicted of machine allowed for people convicted of machine breaking to be sentenced to death.breaking to be sentenced to death.

Many were executed or transported to Many were executed or transported to Australia.Australia.

The Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution and the Labour Movementand the Labour Movement In 1871 Trade Unions were given In 1871 Trade Unions were given

legal status and the Labour Party was legal status and the Labour Party was formed.formed.

In 1923, Ramsey MacDonald became In 1923, Ramsey MacDonald became the first Labour Prime Minister.the first Labour Prime Minister.