No One Saw It Coming Workers. Wages. Revolution: The True Story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs
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Aug 4, 2025 Tom De Wit, Curator of the Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum, delves into the inspiring story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, six farm laborers who dared to organize for fair wages in 1830s England. He discusses their arrest and punishment for forming a union, highlighting their fight against oppressive powers. De Wit touches on the motivation behind their peaceful approach, led by George Loveless, and emphasizes how their struggle became a cornerstone for the global labor movement. Their legacy continues to resonate in today's discussions on workers' rights.
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Tolpuddle Martyrs' Secret Meeting
- Six exhausted farm workers in Tolpuddle met under a sycamore tree in 1833 to form a friendly society.
- They swore an oath of secrecy to band together against wage cuts and harsh conditions.
Enclosure Acts Deepened Rural Poverty
- Poor agricultural workers lost access to common lands due to the Enclosure Acts.
- This forced them to rely solely on wages, which were declining amid poor harvests and returning soldiers.
Swing Rebellion's Anonymous Protests
- The Swing Rebellion involved anonymous threats delivered by the mythical 'Captain Swing'.
- Barns were burned if landowners refused to raise wages during the 1830 uprising.
