The Luddite Movement was formed by a group of British textile craftsmen from the early nineteenth century who were protesting against changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution. The use of machinery meant that many skilled workmen were forced out of work. New, wide-framed automated looms were designed to be operated by cheap, unskilled labour. Luddite protests usually involved the destruction of the mechanised looms that were being forced upon them. The working conditions in the new textile factories were said to be 'degrading' and wages were low.
The movement began in Nottingham in 1811, with destruction of mills and pieces of factory machinery by angry handloom weavers, and quickly spread across the country. Luddites met at night in local pubs or on the moors outside the industrial towns, often enjoyed great local support. Disturbances in Nottinghamshire in November 1811, were followed by incidents in the West Riding of Yorkshire in 1812 and in Lancashire from March 1813. Cotton power looms and wool shearing machines were also targeted. Many mills throughout England were destroyed, until the British government took steps to suppress the movement, sending in the Army to keep order. There were many battles, most notably at Burton's Mill in Middleton, and at Westhoughton Mill, both in Lancashire. The Luddites claimed to be led by one "King Ludd" (more on him later).
The actual sabotage of the mill machinery ("Machine breaking") was made a capital crime by the Frame Breaking Act, and 17 men were executed after a trial in York, 1813. Many others were transported as prisoners to Australia. Lord Byron was one of the few prominent defenders of the Luddites, and famously spoke out against the Act.
The modern use of the term 'Luddism' and 'Luddite' are often used derisively to describe anyone opposed to progress and technological change. 'Neo-Luddism' and 'Neo-Luddite' are the modern equivalents, which I suppose could be synonymous to the title of this blog.
The movement began in Nottingham in 1811, with destruction of mills and pieces of factory machinery by angry handloom weavers, and quickly spread across the country. Luddites met at night in local pubs or on the moors outside the industrial towns, often enjoyed great local support. Disturbances in Nottinghamshire in November 1811, were followed by incidents in the West Riding of Yorkshire in 1812 and in Lancashire from March 1813. Cotton power looms and wool shearing machines were also targeted. Many mills throughout England were destroyed, until the British government took steps to suppress the movement, sending in the Army to keep order. There were many battles, most notably at Burton's Mill in Middleton, and at Westhoughton Mill, both in Lancashire. The Luddites claimed to be led by one "King Ludd" (more on him later).
The actual sabotage of the mill machinery ("Machine breaking") was made a capital crime by the Frame Breaking Act, and 17 men were executed after a trial in York, 1813. Many others were transported as prisoners to Australia. Lord Byron was one of the few prominent defenders of the Luddites, and famously spoke out against the Act.
The modern use of the term 'Luddism' and 'Luddite' are often used derisively to describe anyone opposed to progress and technological change. 'Neo-Luddism' and 'Neo-Luddite' are the modern equivalents, which I suppose could be synonymous to the title of this blog.
However, once thing I have learnt from this small piece of research - it would appear that the original Luddites had a good reason for doing what they did...
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