Today In History with The Retrospectors
Meet The Luddites
Mar 11, 2024
Disgruntled textile workers protested for better opportunities amidst economic hardships in the early 1800s. The term 'Luddite' has evolved over centuries. Luddites were surprisingly efficient at working from home.
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Quick takeaways
- The Luddites sought fair wages and job security, not an anti-technology stance.
- The harsh laws and penalties imposed by the government led to the decline of the Luddite movement.
Deep dives
Origin of the Luddite Movement
In 1811, textile workers in Nottingham protested against the poor work conditions, leading to the formation of the Luddites. Dissatisfied with low wages and job losses, they destroyed knitting machines, sparking a region-wide movement. The government's response included deploying soldiers to protect factories and enacting laws against machine-breaking, punishable by death.
